Flamenco Events in Seville
On just about any night you can find some kind of flamenco in Seville. Aside from the tablaos, flamenco shows, bars and peñas, there are often special events, concert series and art exhibits. Below is a listing of events in Seville and at times in nearby towns and cities.
Peñas de Guardia
Various peñas in the city - SPRING / FALLsevillafederacionflamenca.es
This series is generally in October (currently running until 15 December) and features local and young flamenco talent, mainly with weekday shows. Prices are generally around 6 Euros and the venues change nightly. Check the above web site for a calendar of shows.
Bienal Flamenco
Various venues in the city - SEPTEMBER (2012)labienal.com
Held every two years, the next dates are September 3-30, 2012. The Bienal Flamenco draws the world's best talents in one month of flamenco concerts and activities. The event draws visitors from all over the world, making it a very popular time to visit Seville.
Feria de Abril
Fairground in Los RemediosExploreseville.com Guide to the Feria
The next Feria is 20-25 April, 2010. What you will hear is sevillanas, a type of flamenco music and dance typical of the region. The Feria de Abril is one of the largest ferias of its kind in Spain, and a great time to see typical dress, dance and of course a lot of drinking and eating.
Jueves Flamenco from Cajasol
Sala Villasis, C/ ImagenThis concert series brings some of well known performers to the Sala Villasis right in the center of Sevilla. The series, organized by the bank Cajasol, generally runs from October - May.
Flamenco Festivals in the Province of Seville
For more flamenco there are many festivals in the towns in the province of Seville. Many of them take place during the summer with evening concerts. All should be an easy drive or short bus ride away and in a few cases you can take the train - just be sure to check the timetables if you want to come back the same night!
Arahal: Memoria Niña de los Peines “Al Gurugú”
Arahal (Seville Province) - JUNEturismosevilla.org
This festival in the town of Arahal is dedicated to Pastora Pavón also known as “La Niña de los Peines”. Considered to be one the best flamenco voices in the world, “La Niña de los Peines” grew up in a gypsy family where she began singing at an early age. She rose to national and international stardom, performing with some of the best flamenco artists of her time. In previous years the festival has featured artists such as Carmen Linares, Gerardo Nuñez, Estrella Morente and Rocío Molina.
Dos Hermanas Festival de Flamenco “Juan Talega”
Dos Hermanas (Seville Province) - JUNEjuantalega.com
Dos Hermanas is a large town just outside of the city of Seville. The annual flamenco festival takes the name of singer Juan Talega, known for his “cantes alcalareños y trianeros”. Today the festival continues to attract some of the best regional and national flamenco performers.
Ecija Noche Flamenca
Ecija (Seville Province) - SEPTEMBERteatro.ecija.org/
The festival in Ecija, one of the hottest towns in the province of Seville, is now more than thirty years in the running. In recent years the concerts have included performances by Chano Lobato, Miguel Poveda, Antonio “El Pipa”, Carmen Linares and Calixto Sanchez. The Noche Flamenca in Ecija is a precursor the town’s annual fair Feria de San Mateo, making the month of September the perfect time to visit Ecija.
Estepa “El Polvorón”
Estepa (Seville Province) - AUGUSTandalucia.org/
Estepa is a small town in the province of Seville which is famous for its production of traditional Christmas sweets, polvorones and mantecados. Now over twenty years in the running, this festival offers some great flamenco performances at the beginning of August. In the weeks before you can also enjoy some performances organized by flamenco cultural associations featuring local artists.
Las Cabezas de San Juan Festival Flamenco “La Yerbabuena”
Las Cabezas de San Juan (Seville Province) - JUNE/JULYlascabezasdesanjuan.es
The Festival Flamenco “La Yerbabuena” is dedicated to a different flamenco artist each year, who is chosen based on their contribution to and influence on the world of flamenco. The festival began in the late 60’s as a celebration of the “cultural experience of Andalusian flamenco”. The performances are held in a wonderful setting: the Plaza del Cristo de la Vera Cruz next to the church of San Juan Bautista. In previous additions of the festival artists such as Camarón, Arcángel, José Mercé, Pastora Galván and Ramón Amador have graced the stage.
Lebrija “La Caracolá”
Lebrija (Seville Province) - JULYLocal artists and organizers founded this flamenco festival in the town of Lebrija in the 1960’s. The festival takes place during the month of July with a culinary companion of caracoles, snails which are in season at this time of year and served up in large amounts during the event. Past festival performers include José Mercé, Manuela Carrasco, "El Lebrijano" and Moraito Chico.
Festival Flamenco de la Mistela in Los Palacios y Villafranca
Los Palacio y Villafranca (Seville Province) - OCTOBERfestivaldelamistela.com
The Festival Flamenco de la Mistela focuses on the art of cante jondo in Andalucia. Over the years the festival has also incorporated other styles of flamenco. The performances are held over several nights in the town’s Municipal Theatre. Local flamenco fan clubs (peñas flamencas) also organize performances while flamenco conferences and workshops are held in the Casa de la Cultura.
Mairena del Alcor “Concurso de Cante Jondo Antonio Mairena”
Mairena del Alcor (Seville Province) - SEPTEMBERmairenadelalcor.es
The “Concurso de Cante Jondo Antonio Mairena” in Mairena del Alcor attracts a large number of flamenco aficionados. The festival is held in honor of Antonio Mairena who was famous for his extraordinary talents in the art of cante jondo style of flamenco singing. The Auditorio de la Casa Palacio, a palace and former home of the Duques de Arco, serves as the main venue for the festival. The festival recently celebrated it’s 50th anniversary.
Marchena “Fiesta de la Guitarra”
Marchena (Seville Province) - JULYturismodemarchena.org
Marchena’s “Fiesta de la Guitarra” takes place around the end of July in this small town in province of Seville. Center stage at the festival is the art of flamenco guitar which attracts some of the best flamenco guitar players in the region. Past installments of the event include artists such as Carmen Linares, Tomatito, Camarón, and José Mercé. Aside from guitar, the festival is also a good place to catch some up and coming flamenco dancers and singers.
Morón de la Frontera “Gazpacho Andaluz”
Morón de la Frontera (Seville Province) - JULYayto-morondelafrontera.org
The town of Morón de la Frontera organizes a festival featuring two important elements of Andalusian heritage: flamenco and the cold summer soup of gazpacho. The main stage is the town’s Plaza de Toros, where attendees can enjoy a little flamenco along with a refreshing bit of gazpacho, the official culinary treat of the festival which is now almost 40 years old. Past festival artists include names such as El Lebrijano, Juan Talega, Diego del Gastor, Manolo Morilla, Andorrano and Gitanillo de Puebla de Cazalla.
Utrera Festival del Mostachón
Utrera (Seville Province) - NOVEMBERutrera.org
Utrera’s flamenco festival takes its name from a traditional pastry known as mostachón for which the town is famous. Organized by a local flamenco fan club, the main venue for the festival is now the Municipal Theatre “Enrique de la Cuadra”. The town has a direct regional train connection from Sevilla, making it an easy trip to enjoy a little flamenco.
Potaje Gitano de Utrera
Utrera (Seville Province) - JUNEpotajegitano.com
El Potaje Gitano de Utrera was originally a small event founded by a local church fraternity in Utrera to celebrate after Holy Week. The meal for the celebration was potaje, a garbanzo stew perhaps more fitting for the colder months! Nevertheless the event proved to be very popular, so much so that it grew into its own: a flamenco festival that today is one of the longest running in country. The organizers dedicate the festival to a different famous figure each year.
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Cordoba Guitar Festival
City of Cordoba - JULYguitarracordoba.com
The event is not flamenco specific, with concerts that include rock, blues and more. But there is always some kind of flamenco for the concert series, which is held normally from early to mid July.
For more information about general events in Seville, we recommend visiting Exploreseville.com's calendar. And of course, there is almost always something going on in the flamenco bars and the peñas!