RJ (holding the guitar) and luthier Tom Rodriguez at the Alexandria Guitar Festival August 9, 2003 3:43pm. I'm proud to be able to say that the DC area (well, technically Richmond) has a world-class luthier that makes one of the best flamenco guitars I've ever played.

Guitarist José Oretea with Sheila and Raquel at Las Tapas August 9, 2003 1:14am.

Miguelito, Steve and Carlton with a group of spaniards at Las Tapas August 9, 2003 1:28am.

José Oretea and Cesar Aquino at Las Tapas August 9, 2003 1:42am.

José Oretea, Cesar Oretea and Cesar Aquino at a friend's home August 9, 2003 3:16am.

Cesar, Ishmael, Cesar, José, Tania, Steve, Eduardo and son August 9, 2003 5:09am.

Jason Vera y Aragón, Shahram Tehranian, Anna Menendez and Miguelito at Bambule August 7, 2003. The use of a lavalier microphone eliminates the need for a stand which would just clutter up the stage. (photo by Marta)

Jason (on the cajón) deserves special mention: he's the one who built the beautiful new stage that we are performing on. The stage lights add a professional touch. (photo by Marta)

One of those rare occasions when most of us flamenco performers show up at the same place to hang out: Jordi, Sara Candela, Richard Marlow, Roxanne (hidden), Jason Vera y Aragón, Marta Chico Martín, Edwin Aparicio, Anna Menendez, Roya Bahrami, Shahram Tehranian and Miguelito. (Photo by Soheila)

On Wednesday August 6, 2003 I checked out the new show at Las Tapas which features the group Vosa with guitarists Amilcar Cruz, Cesar Aquino and singer Carolina Marín. (It's not flamenco--just bossa and boleros performed by a beautiful singer with a beautiful voice.)

Carolina Marín

The group Vosa: Amilcar Cruz, Carolina Marín and Cesar Aquino. (Thanks to Cesar for this photo.)

Steve, Anna, Paul, Edwin, Miguelito (in back) and Carlton at Las Tapas on Tuesday August 5, 2003.

RJ, Cecilia and Ana at Las Tapas on Friday August 1, 2003.

Cesar, Roxanne, Jason, Soheila, Nelson and Marta at Las Tapas on Friday August 1, 2003.