New York Flamenco Festival's Resounding Success: Granada Wins Hearts with Its Art

 

La 24th edition of the New York Flamenco Festival concluded with a record 16,000 attendees, reaffirming the power of flamenco art and its ability to thrill American audiences. With a program that highlighted Granadan talent, the festival filled venues in New York, Miami, Chicago and San Francisco, selling out half of its 24 performances.

 

The Flamenco Festival New York closed its doors on March 15 after 11 days of passion and art, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of United StatesThe 24th edition of this event, held from March 5 to 15, attracted 16,000 people who surrendered to the power and beauty of flamenco. The collaboration of City Council and the Provincial Council of Granada was key to presenting a program that highlighted the talent of the city of the Alhambra.

 

“We are very pleased with the public response. New York, in particular, was thrilled with every show,” said Miguel Marín, the festival director. “Seeing the theaters full and feeling the excitement of the audience is the best reward for our work.”

 

The festival started off strong, selling out tickets for the concert of Kiki Morente and Carlos de Jacoba at the Elebash Recital HallHis show, "Lorquianos", was a heartfelt reinterpretation of the work of Federico García Lorca, one of the great poets from Granada.

 

“Lorca is an inexhaustible source of inspiration,” Kiki Morente commented after her performance. “His poetry and music resonate in the soul, and it’s an honor to be able to bring his legacy to stages like this.”

 

Another of the most anticipated moments was the return of Manuel Linan with her show "Dead of Love", which captivated the audience of New York City CenterThe power and originality of her performance left the audience speechless. Eva Yerbabuena also thrilled the audience with her work "Yerbagüena (dark brilliant)," which sold out both performances.

 

The fusion of flamenco with other musical genres was another highlight of the festival. "Flamenco Meets Jazz," held at Jazz at Lincoln Center, brought together guitarist Carlos de Jacoba and pianist Zaccai Curtis, winner of the 2025 Grammy. The combination of these two musical styles was a resounding success.

 

"Flamenco and jazz share many things: improvisation, passion, freedom," he explained. Charles of Jacob"It was a pleasure to be able to explore those commonalities with such talented musicians."

 

The company Southern Zen She surprised audiences with "Órbita," a show that blended flamenco, contemporary dance, circus, and live music. The performance, which sold out at the NYU King Juan Carlos I Spain Center, demonstrated flamenco's ability to reinvent itself and engage in dialogue with other artistic disciplines.

 

The festival also included an educational component, with a special performance for 2,000 schoolchildren. The children were able to enjoy a shortened version of the show "Alter Ego," by Alfonso Losa and Patricia GuerreroOver the years, more than 25,000 students have participated in the festival's educational programs.

 

"It's essential to bring flamenco closer to new generations," Patricia Guerrero emphasized. "These children are the future of flamenco, and it's important that they learn about and appreciate this art form."

 

The shows were held in a variety of spaces, from large theaters like the New York City Center to smaller, more intimate venues like Joe's Pub and Roulette. In these latter establishments, artists such as Antonio Gómez «El Turry» y Juan Habichuela grandson presented innovative and personal proposals.

 

The festival's icing on the cake was put by Marina Heredia, with a moving tribute to Lorca in the Merkin Concert HallHer voice and performance filled the stage with emotion, closing out a memorable edition of the New York Flamenco Festival.