Ciutat Flamenco, organized by Taller de Músics, is a festival dedicated to the creation, experimentation, and presentation of both classical and heterodox, transgressive, and interdisciplinary projects within the field of contemporary flamenco.
It takes place from October 17 to 26, in a renewed format under the artistic direction of Flamenco Projects. Marta Piñol and Jose Manuel Álvarez, who lead this new direction, have designed a program that places special emphasis on dance — on the city of Barcelona, its avant-garde flamenco scene, and its most vibrant neighborhoods.
This October, the festival will feature performances that draw on tradition to varying degrees, always from a contemporary perspective. Ciutat Flamenco also becomes a neighborhood-based event, expanding beyond the stage to occupy areas such as Sant Andreu, Nou Barris, Sagrera, and Ciutat Meridiana, as well as unconventional venues and public spaces.
Some of this edition’s featured artists include Sara Jiménez, Vanesa Aibar, Julio Ruiz, Antonio Molina “El Choro”, and El Chicharrón with his flamenco circus.
In the music section, audiences will enjoy performances by artists such as Rocío Luna (cante) and José Carlos Hanza Fernández (piano), presented as part of the AIEnRuta-Flamencos circuit, along with Cristina López & Carlos Cuenca and Txarly Brown DJ.
Within the Districte Flamenco program, a participatory process will take place with Aina Núñez at the Centro Cívico Zona Nord. The result of this intensive workshop will be the presentation of the show P’alante, in a session that will also feature performances by Marta Nogal, Miranda Alfonso, and Naya Binghi.
This edition also introduces Ciutat Batalla, a competition open until July 31 to dancers and movement artists connected to flamenco or Spanish dance. “The battle” begins on Instagram, where participants share an original choreographic piece, and culminates live on stage at Ateneu Popular 9 Barris in Barcelona, open to the public.
On Sunday, November 9, as part of the OFF Ciutat Flamenco program and in collaboration with L’Auditori, the Barcelona Municipal Band will present Suite Flamenca, conducted by Pascual-Vilaplana, featuring the acclaimed cantaor Rafael de Utrera.
As a parallel program to the festival, Taller de Músics has created a new meeting space for the flamenco scene, aiming to bring it together as a whole: Jueves Jondo. This series will continue until the end of the year and will take place at Taller de Músics 24, in the Raval neighborhood.
The festival is organized in collaboration with Fabra i Coats, Nau Bostik, Ateneu Popular 9 Barris, Casa Seat, Centre Cívic del Besòs, Centre Cívic Zona Nord, SAT!, and L’Auditori.
Check the full program at: ciutatflamenco.com
BARCELONA IS FLAMENCA
