NMDCA News:
ALBUQUERQUE — In collaboration with the National Institute of Flamenco, Festival Flamenco Alburquerque returns to the National Hispanic Cultural Center stage this month with a dynamic lineup of breathtaking artists and groundbreaking performances.
“Throughout the Center’s history, Festival Flamenco has been an outstanding series on the Performing Arts calendar and we’re thrilled to work alongside the National Institute of Flamenco as New Mexico transforms into one of the epicenters of flamenco in the United States,” said National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) Executive Director Zack Quintero.
Festival Flamenco Alburquerque 39, a nine-day spectacle known for being the largest flamenco festival outside of Spain, launches its NHCC performance schedule on Saturday, June 20 with De Scheherezade, a beautiful, large-scale flamenco work by legendary choreographer and dancer, María Pagés, co-created with dramaturg El Arbi El Harti. Pagés is not only a legend of flamenco dance, but also one of Spain’s most internationally awarded and celebrated artists.
The dance spectacular continues Sunday as Yjastros—Albuquerque’s resident flamenco repertory company—teams up with special guest artists, featuring more than 20 musicians and dancers on stage! This unforgettable celebration builds from a conversation between flamenco and son jarocho, distinct art forms that share a common ancestor. Audiences will be transformed by this unique, transcendent experience that showcases the cosmic essence of son jarocho and flamenco.
The Festival continues with performances throughout the week. On Tuesday, June 23, Miguel Poveda presents a traditional Recital de Cante, in which he will journey through some of the most representative styles of flamenco, all expressed through his powerful personality and surrounded by the musicians with whom he has spent years moving audiences around the world. The next night, two juried competitions — Puentes Flamencos and Certamen Coreográfico — offering today’s top student and emerging flamenco talent a chance to showcase their work on Festival Flamenco Alburquerque’s international stage. And on Thursday, June 25, Úrsula López builds a choreographic essay through flamenco inspired by Federico García Lorca’s unfinished Comedia sin Título.
In an explosive two-night grand finale starting Friday, June 26, Fiesta Flamenca features a star-studded gala evening that brings together a dazzling array of flamenco music and dance, showcasing performances by some of the most renowned artists and companies in the world. Each Fiesta Flamenca features a unique cast, delivering an unforgettable celebration of the depth, diversity, and passion that define flamenco artistry.
Ticket prices vary, visit nhccnm.org/events to learn more and buy tickets. For a full list Festival Flamenco events and workshops taking place across Albuquerque, visit ffabq.org.
More about the National Hispanic Cultural Center
The National Hispanic Cultural Center is dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and advancement of Hispanic culture, arts, and humanities. The NHCC presents mission-related events throughout the year, some produced by its history, literary, performing, and visual arts programs, and others by partnering with external organizations. Events take place at its 20-plus-acre campus, which includes a plaza, an art museum, a historically designated building, a library, and a genealogy center. The NHCC is a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and is further supported by the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation.