You don’t need to wait for Fiesta in August to experience the power and passion of pure flamenco in this town. Flamenco Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara Historical Museum create authentic flamenco experiences throughout the year; the last weekend in January was like a mini Fiesta!
On Friday, January 30, more than 200 people gathered in the museum’s courtyard for a Peña Flamenca la María. Grammy-winning musicians Andrés Vadín (guitar) and Diego Alvarez (cajón) played tangos, alegrías, and bulerías for everyone’s dancing pleasure.
They were joined by world-renowned dancer-singer-percussionist Manuel Gutierrez, Artist in Residence for ¡Flamenco! Santa Barbara, who sang joyful and humorous letras (verses) for the dancers. Peñas (explained here and here ) are where students, professionals, parents, and even children improvise flamenco with the musicians. Peñas are where the flamenco family is nourished.