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All flamenco events at-a-glance
Detailed info available by clicking on links or scrolling down. For the past events, see the Event Archives broken down by years: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
Weekly shows- Sundays: Flamenco at Vinoteca
- Mondays: Flamenco at Cafe Citron and rumba at Ozio
- Tuesdays: Flamenco at Las Tapas and Red Maple, Rumba at Jaleo Bethesda
- Wednesdays: Flamenco at Las Tapas and Cubano's
- Thursdays: Flamenco at Las Tapas
- Fridays: Flamenco at Cabanas, Sevillanas at La Tasca Old Town Alexandria, Rumba at Bambule and Tutto Bene
- Saturdays: Rumba at Bambule
- June 1, 2008 Ziva's Institute of Spanish Dance at the Washington Folk Festival at Glen Echo Park
- June 6, 2008 2008 Flamenco Dance Class Recital featuring Pastora Dance Ensemble at American Dance Institute in Rockville
- June 17-July 15, 2008 Tangos Flamenco Fiesta Workshop for Dancers & Musicians by Marija Temo at DC Dance Collective
- June 20-21, 2008 Carmen de Vicente Spanish Dance Academy presents Bravo! Music and Dance from Spain featuring Carmen de Vicente at Gunston Arts Center in Arlington
- June 27, 2008 Estela Velez and Furia Flamenca in a Spectacular Evening of Magical Dance at the Embassy of France
- July 14-21, 2008 Intermediate/Advanced Technique and Choreography Series by Carmela Greco at Joy of Motion
- July 16-20, 2008 Beginner Technique and Choreography Series by Carmela Greco at Joy of Motion
- July 29, 2008 Noche Flamenca at Wolf Trap
- August 7-8, 2008 Gipsy Kings at Wolf Trap
Weekly Events in detail
Sundays 8:00pm to 10:00pm
Flamenco and rumba at Vinoteca
A magnificent performance of Flamenco Rumba & Tablao, lead by Gerard Moreno (guitar & vocals), Richard Marlow (Flamenco guitar), and Sara Jerez-Marlow (dance).
Vinoteca is located at 1940 11th St NW DC. (202)332-WINE. Closest metro stop: U St/African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo station)
Mondays around 8:30pm and 9:30pm
Flamenco show at Café Citrón
Bar with extensive menu (primarily Caribbean/latin-american food). Show features dancer María or Sara Jerez with singer Gerárd Moreno and guitarist Michael "Miguelito" Pérez. This venue is very narrow. There are only a few spots that have a full view of the show. Otherwise you'll have to stand by the bar with the rest of the crowd. Read the February 11, 2005 Weekend Section article in the Washington Post (PDF format).
Call ahead and reserve the table by the stage. Between shows and afterwards, DJ plays international music and it's usually very loud. Great for dancing--not so good for conversation.
Cafe Citrón is located at 1343 Connecticut Ave NW Washington DC. 21 and over after 10:00pm--bring ID! (202)530-8844. Closest metro stop: Dupont Circle south exit)
Mondays around 10:00pm to 1:00am
Duende Camarón at Ozio Lounge
Located just a few blocks south of Café Citrón, this is the usual second stop of the nights for flamencos after catching the show at Café Citrón. Rumba group Duende Camarón keeps the party going until 1:00am. Ozio is located at 1813 M St NW Washington DC. Call 202-822-6000. Closest metro stop: Dupont Circle south exit
Tuesdays around 7:45pm and 8:45pm
Flamenco show at Las Tapas
Spanish restaurant with bar. Stage is raised high enough that the show is visible from just about any table in the dining room. If you're seated at the bar, the view is partially blocked. Guitarist Michael Pérez accompanies dancers Sara Jerez and Edwin Aparicio.
Las Tapas (formerly known as Costa del Sol) is located at 710 King Street, Alexandria, VA. Street parking is difficult but there are a few garages several blocks away. No age limit. (703)836-4000. Reservations are highly recommended. Closest metro stop: 15-minute walk from King St
Tuesdays 8:00pm
Flamenco show at Red Maple
Guitarist Richard Marlow and dancer in two shows. Red Maple is located at 930 North Charles Street in Baltimore, MD. (410)547-0149.
Tuesdays 7:30pm
Duende Camarón at Jaleo Bethesda
The Jaleo in Bethesda is located at 7271 Woodmont Ave. Shows at approximately 7:30pm and 8:30pm. Call (301)913-0003. Closest metro stop: 15-minute walk from Bethesda)
Wednesdays at 7:00pm
Flamenco show at Cubano's
Guitarist Torcuato Zamora accompanies dancer Marí. Cubano's is located at 1201 Fidler Lane in Silver Spring, MD. (301)563-4020. Closest metro: 5 minute walk from Silver Spring.
Wednesdays at 8:00pm
Flamenco show at Las Tapas
Only one show featuring guitarist Richard Marlow and one dancer. Las Tapas (formerly known as Costa del Sol) is located at 710 King Street Alexandria, VA. Street parking is difficult but there are a few garages several blocks away. No age limit. (703)836-4000. Reservations are highly recommended. Closest metro stop: 15-minute walk from King St)
Thursdays around 7:45pm and 8:45pm
Flamenco show at Las Tapas
Spanish restaurant with bar. Stage is raised high enough that the show is visible from just about any table in the dining room. If you're seated at the bar, the view is partially blocked. Guitarist Richard Marlow accompanies dancers Sara Jerez and Edwin Aparicio.
Las Tapas (formerly known as Costa del Sol) is located at 710 King Street, Alexandria, VA. Street parking is difficult but there are a few garages several blocks away. No age limit. (703)836-4000. Reservations are highly recommended. Closest metro stop: 15-minute walk from King St
Fridays at 8:30pm and 9:30pm
Flamenco Friday at Cabanas Restaurant in Georgetown
Guitarist Miguelito accompanies two dancers in shows at 8:30pm and 9:30pm. Cabanas Restaurant (formerly Sole) is located in Georgetown's Washington Harbour at 3050 K St NW Washington DC. (202)944-4242. Closest metro stop: 20-minute walk from Foggy Bottom
Fridays 8:00pm and 9:00pm
Sevillanas Show at La Tasca in Old Town Alexandria
Featuring dancer Genoveva and guest. This La Tasca branch is located at 607 King St Alexandria, VA (one block from Las Tapas). (703)299-9810. Closest metro stop: 20-minute walk from King St
Fridays and Saturdays about 8:00pm-11:00pm
Rumba show at Bambule
Guitarists Richard Marlow and guest guitarist. Past guests have Kivanc Oner, Miguelito and Michael Bard. Rumba flamenca duets and Gipsy Kings' repertoire. Bambule is located at 5225 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC across the street from the Friendship Heights metro (south exit). (202)966-0300
Fridays 10:00pm to 1:00am
Duende Camarón at Tutto Bene
Tutto Bene is located 501 North Randolph St Arlington, VA (across the street from the Ballston Commons Mall. (703)522-1005. Closest metro stop: 15 minute walk from Ballston
Special Events in detail
Here you will find single-performance events by visiting and local artists.
Sunday June 1, 2008 6:15pm
Ziva's Institute of Spanish Dance at the Washington Folk Festival at Glen Echo park
Performance to take place at 6:00pm on the Potomac Palisades stage at Glen Echo Park. For more information, Visit the Washington Folk Festival website and the Ziva's Institute of Spanish Dance website.
Friday June 6, 2008 8:00pm
2008 Flamenco Dance Class Recital featuring Pastora Dance Ensemble at American Dance Institute in Rockville
More info available at the American Dance Institute website.
June 17-July 15, 2008
Tangos Flamenco Fiesta Workshop for Dancers & Musicians by Marija Temo at DC Dance Collective
Due to popular demand, workshop extended to July 29th!
From the press release:
Tangos Fiesta Workshop for Dancers & Musicians (All Levels)
5 Week Workshop 6/17-7/15, Tuesdays 8:30-10:00pm
Price: $100 for 5 week package, $30 for drop in class
To register, contact DC Dance Collective at 202-362-7244
(Note- There is a one time registration fee of $15 for students new to the studio)
DC Dance Collective
4908 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington DC 20016
Dancers and Musicians will learn: The structural form of Tangos (the order and components of the dance); the important accents that are to be conveyed; the different types of calls and how to execute them clearly; and how to listen and improvise to one another rhythmically and with melody (falsetas) from the guitar. Goal: To have more command over the Tangos form and feel comfortable participating in a fiesta situation.
For more information about Marija Temo, visit her website at www.marijatemo.com
Friday and Saturday June 20-21, 2008 8:00pm
Carmen de Vicente Spanish Dance Academy presents Bravo! Music and Dance from Spain featuring Carmen de Vicente at Gunston Arts Center in Arlington
From the press release:
Carmen de Vicente Spanish Dance Academy presents Bravo! Music and Dance from Spain featuring Carmen de Vicente.
“The most mind boggling castanet playing that I ever heard” - J. McLelland, Chief Critic Washington Post
Special guest artist from the Royal Conservatory of Madrid, Spain Sergio Bernal and Requiebros Spanish Dance Group June 20th and 21st, 2008 at 8:00 pm Gunston Arts Center Theater I 2700 Lang Street, Arlington, VA 22206
General Admission: $25.00, children 12 and under $15.00 (major credit cards accepted). Tickets at 703-684-1949.
More information about the show and the classes available at www.carmendevicente.com
Directions: From 395 take S. Glebe Rd. exit, stay on S. Glebe Rd. (left lane after exit) turn left on Lang St., Arts Center is behind Giant Shopping Plaza
Sponsors: Arlington County through the Arlington Commission for the Arts and the Cultural Affairs Division of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Resources; The Embassy of Spain; and Bilingos.com (Program subject to change)
Friday June, 27, 2008 8:00pm
Estela Velez and Furia Flamenca in a Spectacular Evening of Magical Dance at the Embassy of France
From the press release:
We now extend a most cordial invitation for you to celebrate the advances being made in veterinary oncology and discover the magic of "Furia Flamenca." This event will take place on Friday, 27 June at The French Embassy, in Washington, DC.
Estela Velez and her marvelous troupe of dancers, are preparing a performance that will dazzle you with the ferocity and passion of flamenco. Oftentimes, cancer is referred to as "dancing in the darkness." The Perseus Foundation is honored to have Estela and Furia Flamenca create a special dance which celebrates the magic of the animal human bond, and bursts with light, joy and endless determination as it chases the shadows away.
Space is limited. Tickets start at $50.00. For reservations please email or visit www.perseusfoundation.org
July 14-21, 2008
Intermediate/Advanced Technique and Choreography Series by Carmela Greco at Joy of Motion
Come experience a Flamenco Workshop Series with the world-renowned master teacher Carmela Greco.
Level: Intermediate and Advanced Flamenco
These workshops will provide developing Flamenco students a unique opportunity to study the nuances of style, grace and passion inherent in the work created by the one and only, Carmela Greco. Informed by years of performing and teaching with and for some of the world’s greatest Flamenco talents, Carmela Greco brings excitement and energy to the classroom. Students will focus on developing key skills of Flamenco including footwork, upperbody carriage and placement as well as markings (traveling steps), palmas and braceos. Class will also include the learning of specific choreography incorporating learned techniques. Students will get expert direction, guidance, and inspiration in the drilling and honing of skill and technique. Students will learn Jaleos extremeños in Rondeña rhythm.
Monday, July 14 6:30-8:00pm JOMDC Atlas
Wednesday, July 16 9:00-10:30pm JOMDC Bethesda
Friday, July 18 8:00-9:30pm JOMDC Friendship Heights
Saturday, July 19 2:00-3:30pm JOMDC Bethesda
Sunday, July 20 2:30-4:00pm JOMDC Friendship Heights
Monday, July 21 6:30-8:00pm JOMDC Atlas
$35 per workshop. $192 for all 6 Int/Adv workshops
To register, visit www.joyofmotion.org
Studio locations:
JOMDC Friendship Heights
5207 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington DC 20015
(202)362-3042
JOMDC Bethesda
7315 Wisconsin Ave Ste 180E
(The Air Rights Bldg East Tower)
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301)986-0016
JOMDC Atlas
1333 H Street NE
Washington DC
About Carmela Greco:
Carmela Greco was born in Madrid, Spain, and at age 11, she began studying dance. She is the daughter of the celebrated Spanish dancer, José Greco.
In 1972, Carmela was selected on merit to dance in "Ballet Antología" precursor of the Ballet Nacional of Spain, under the direction of Alberto Lorca. In 1977, she joined the dance company of Luisillo as prima ballerina. In 1980, she formed her own company and toured in France, Italy, the Middle East, and Africa. Presented "Ritmos Flamencos" in the San Carlos Theater, Naples. In 1982, Carmela performed for the King of Spain and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Carmela danced in popular "tablaos" in Spain: "Torres Bermejas," "Café de Chinitas," "Corral de la Morería," "Los Canasteros" and "Corral de la Pacheca." She appeared in "Andalucía en pie," directed by José Tamayo, which premièred in the Villamarta Theater, in Jerez de la Frontera, together with Faico, Fosforito, La Susi and Chiquetete. She danced in the company of Mario Maya and performed in "Ballet El Amargo," which had its première in Madrid in the Teatro de la Comedia.
In 1988, she joined the company of her father, José Greco. Carmela made her debut in New York at the Joyce Theater, and performed there in 1990. That same year, she joined the instructors at the famous dance academy "Amor de Díos," in Madrid.
In 1995, she performed as guest artist with the company of José Greco II in the Flamenco Festival in Albuquerque, at the Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami, and Lincoln Center in New York. In 1988, she performed at Jacob’s Pillow.
In 1999, with her sister Lola Greco, presented the production “Raza” in the Bellas Artes Theater, Madrid.
In 2002, she toured in Japan for 6 months with her own company and returned to Japan in the production "Climax," together with Lola Greco and José Greco II, in honor of their father. She danced in the Seville Bienal, under the direction of Paco Suárez, in "Orestes en Lisboa," appearing with top artists Rafaela Carrasco, Manuel Reyes, Antonio Reyes and Alejandro Granados and in 2003 she toured in Italy with the José Greco II dance company.
Carmela teaches throughout the world and heads her own dance company.
July 16-20, 2008
Beginner Technique and Choreography Series by Carmela Greco at Joy of Motion
Level: Beginning 1 and above Flamenco
Carmela Greco will focus on teaching her unique choreography that is both inspirational and technically challenging allowing students to expand their movement vocabulary and artistic nuance. Bringing years of performance experience into the classroom, Carmela Greco will share her secrets regarding the essence of Flamenco dance, its power, feeling and undying passion. Students will get expert direction, guidance and inspiration in the practice and perfecting of skill and technique. Classes can be taken individually or as a series for the greatest benefit. Combinations will be reviewed but built on from class to class. This workshop will focus on teaching the granaínas, or upper-body stylization.
Wednesday, July 16 7:30-9:00pm JOMDC Bethesda
Friday, July 18 6:30-8:00pm JOMDC Friendship Heights
Saturday, July 19 12:30-2:00pm JOMDC Bethesda
Sunday, July 20 4:00-5:30pm JOMDC Friendship Heights
$35 per workshop. $128 for all 4 beginner workshops
To register, visit www.joyofmotion.org
Studio locations:
JOMDC Friendship Heights
5207 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington DC 20015
(202)362-3042
JOMDC Bethesda
7315 Wisconsin Ave Ste 180E
(The Air Rights Bldg East Tower)
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301)986-0016
Tuesday July 29, 2008 8:30pm
Noche Flamenca at Wolf Trap
From the press release:
One of Spain’s most successful companies of flamenco dancers, singers, and guitarists, Noche Flamenca celebrates the fiery passion and sensuality of this complex and mysterious art form with a world premiere commissioned by Wolf Trap. It is nothing less than "a soul-stirring tour-de-force of theater," exclaims The New York Times.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Wolf Trap website. You can also visit the Noche Flamenca website.
Thursday and Friday August 7-8, 2008
Gipsy Kings at Wolf Trap
To order tickets, visit the Wolf Trap website.
From the press release:
Begin in Catalonia and follow the coast into France, curving through fishing villages, farming communities, wild lands where white horses run free and huge black bulls are bred for fighting. Nearby stand the ancient cities of Perpignan, Montpellier and Arles. This is fertile terrain, fought over across millennia, home to Roman aqueducts and amphitheatres, once host to Cezanne, Van Gogh and Gauguin, long renowned for fine wines and fierce people. And today the region’s celebrated as the land of Gipsy Kings.
Pasajero (Tinto Tinta) is very much a product of the South of France’s cultural flux. Across Pasajero’s 14 tracks raw flamenco, jazzy guitar, Latin rhythms, Cuban pop, even traces of reggae and Arabic music weave together. For almost two decades the Gipsy Kings have been musical heavyweights, filling international arenas and selling over 18 million albums; Pasajero finds the world’s favourite non-English speaking band on the road again.
The Gipsy Kings are that rare thing – a household name famous solely for their music; the most successful French musical outfit ever are big in Brazil and popular (extremely so) in Persia, honoured at The Alamo in Texas and celebrated in China. All this achieved without MTV videos, hype, reality TV appearances, famous girlfriends, bad behaviour…an international audience won over purely by the music and the big, welcoming soulfulness of its creators. That’s no ordinary achievement. Understandably, the Gipsy Kings are extraordinary characters: to play guitar and sing is something their fathers, grandfathers and ancestors did. The Gipsy Kings make music as communion, artistry rooted in the past yet focused on the future.
The Gipsy Kings consist of two bands of brothers: the Reyes (Nicolas, Canut, Paul, Patchai, Andre) and the Baliardos (Tonino, Paco, Diego). They took initial shape when the teenage Reyes boys began backing their father Jose. Jose Reyes, singing alongside guitarist Manitas de Plata, did much to popularise flamenco internationally: John Steinbeck, Charlie Chaplin, Pablo Picasso, Miles Davis and Salvador Dali were amongst the duo’s admirers. Jose’s death devastated his sons yet lead to a fortuitous encounter with the Baliardos at the St Marie de la Mer Gitan pilgrimage. On that warm night, as they passed the guitar, shared songs and wine, history was shaped.
Initially, the Reyes and Baliardos busked on the streets of Cannes, played weddings and parties, young men flavouring flamenco with Western pop and Latin rhythms. When an American admirer told the band their name Los Reyes meant “The Kings” in English they realised they were born to be Gipsy Kings. In 1987 The Gipsy Kings’ selftitled debut album introduced the world to ‘rumba Gitano’ – the sound of South America’s rumba rhythm married to flamenco guitars – and with ‘Bamboleo’ the Gipsy Kings scored a huge international hit. Since then the Kings have never stopped singing to the world.
Pasajero (Tinto Tinta) finds the Gipsy Kings following on from the acclaimed 2004 album Roots. Roots involved a literal return to the band’s roots: the acoustic music they grew up playing at Gypsy gatherings across the south of France and Catalonia. Roots is an album of startling beauty, the raw, soulful voices of the Reyes’ matched with the magical guitar interplay of the Baliardo brothers. A number of obstacles had kept the Kings out of the studio and off the European tour circuit for several years; Roots showcased a band hungry to prove themselves, intent on displaying their artistry. “Magnificent” said BBC DJ Charlie Gillett. “Treasure” exclaimed Billboard. Roots re-established the Kings with both their core audience and world music fans, many having forgotten the Kings were world music’s first superstars.
Pasajero continues this journey, building on Roots while adding the fiery Latin American flavours long a part of the Gipsy Kings sound. Produced by Phillipe Eidel (celebrated for his work with Khaled), Pasajero is the sound of musical legends celebrating their heritage. Across the album Pasajero offers great vocal performances from Nicolas and Canut and Andre and Patchai (a band with four master singers!) while those irresistible rumba-Gitano rhythms flow forth. Up-tempo dance numbers ‘Si Tu Me Quieres (Yes, I Like You)’ and ‘Mira La Chica (Look At That Girl)’ find Nicolas celebrating his favourite subject while ‘Sol Y Luna (Sun & Moon)’ allows Canut to wail those ancient Gypsy blues.
Listen to Pasajero’s guitars: guitars played as percussive instruments, pushing forth irresistibly raw grooves, and guitars played with grace and beauty - across three instrumentals (‘Canastero’, ‘Guaranga’, ‘Recuerdo’) Tonino fuses flamenco’s savage tone with Django Reinhardt’s jazzy lyricism so proving he’s a master musician. The title track acknowledges how essential for Gypsies it is to keep moving. Album closer ‘La Vida de Gipsy (The Life of the Gipsy)’ reflects on what it means to be a 21st Century Gitano.
Today the Gipsy Kings still live with their families in the south of France. Life may have changed for them – they no longer busk on streets or pick crops when times are hard or travel in caravans – but still, at heart, they remain Gypsies, the proud descendants of an ancient people who seduced the world with music and dance. On Pasajero the Gipsy Kings continue their epic musical journey.
For the past events, see the Event Archives broken down by years: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
For regularly-scheduled restaurant and club shows, see the Weekly Events above. If you know of an event, that should be listed here, please email me.
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