Flamenco Festival

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The most exciting flamenco dancers working today
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For over 20 years, the Flamenco Festival has brought Spain's greatest flamenco talents to City Center. See all three events and feel that legacy and artistry in an explosive two-week extravaganza of music and dance. Performances at this year's festival will highlight the Spanish guitar as the epicenter of flamenco, through the lenses of traditional and avant-garde flamenco performed by some of Spain's greatest dance talents.

First, The National Ballet of Spain, led by Rubén Olmo, storms the stage with 38 dancers in Invocación. Then, Premio Nacional de Danza winner Olga Pericet kicks off a star-studded weekend with her unique and intimate solo piece, La Leona. Finally, Gala Flamenca showcases dance talents Manuel Liñán, Alfonso Losa, El Yiyo, and Paula Comitre, accompanied by vocalist Sandra Carrasco.

3 Things to Know about Flamenco

Flamenco refers to a form of song (cante) and dance (baile) that originated in Southern Spain hundreds of years ago. These two elements are deeply intertwined, and flamenco dance is rarely performed without musical accompaniment.

Duende flamenco is a state of transcendence in which a flamenco performer-singer, dancer, or musician-fills the stage with their presence. Duende can move audiences to experience an indescribable, almost overwhelming response to a great flamenco artist.

The Spanish Guitar, also known as the baroque guitar, is a five-string guitar that is a fundamental emblem of flamenco. It is believed to have been invented in Spain by Vicente Espinel in the 16th century. Paco de Lucía, a legendary flamenco guitarist whose death ten years ago is being observed internationally, popularized its distinct sound in the modern era.

2:00pm: GALA FLAMENCA

"Liñán is neatly explosive, with the strong, sudden attack of a mousetrap, and when he gets into the moment, so do we." -The Guardian

A festival within a festival, Gala Flamenca presents four incredible flamenco dancers in one program, accompanied by the talented vocalist Sandra Carrasco. Manuel Liñán returns to City Center after the 2022 roaring success, ¡VIVA! He is joined by celebrated flamenco artist Alfonso Losa. The sizzling El Yiyo (Miguel Fernández Ribas) brings his infectious energy to the event and dazzling soloist Paula Comitre lends her talents to complete this flamenco extravaganza in a program you won't want to miss.

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