GALA continues its beloved tradition with the 21st annual international Fuego Flamenco Festival from November 6-22. Renowned for presenting stellar artists in an intimate tablao setting, the festival celebrates flamenco as a universal art form that champions tradition, fun, and innovation. This year’s festival brings to the nation’s capital a mix of traditional and contemporary flamenco through a variety of shows that celebrate both individual and group artistry.
The festival kicks off November 6 through November 10 with the Washington, DC premiere of Crónica de un suceso, created, choreographed and performed by the mesmerizing Rafael Ramírez from Spain. In this new show, Ramírez pays homage to the iconic Spanish Flamenco artist Antonio Gades who paved the way for what Flamenco is today.
The magic continues November 14 through November 16 with the re-staging of the masterpiece Enredo by Flamenco Aparicio Dance Company, a reflection of the dual nature of the human experience, individual and social, which premiered at GALA in 2023.
The festival closes with the world premiere of Las mujeres que habitan en mi, a piece created, choreographed, and performed by the incomparable Spanish artist Irene Lozano. Presented on November 21 and November 22, Las mujeres que habitan en mi promises a journey through Irene’s soul and her many versions.
The 21st Fuego Flamenco Festival also includes two interactive workshops to explore the fusion of dance, music, and songs of the diverse cultures that fused to create a distinct art form that continues to evolve and change as it has spread throughout the globe. Aula de Flamenco convenes artists, experts, scholars, educators, and the public on November 8 at 2 pm at GALA to examine the influence of the diverse cultures and people in Spain on the development, practice, and social-historical impact of flamenco on Spanish culture. The event is presented by Torcuart, an organization that promotes classical Flamenco and Spanish Guitar and associated disciplines in the United States, and led by Dr. José Miguel Hernández Jaramillo. Ph.D. in Advanced Flamenco Studies.
Flamenco en familia, the second interactive festival program for younger generations, featuring dancer Sara Jerez and guitarist Ricardo Marlow, will delight children and families on November 15 at 1:30 pm.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Rafael Ramírez (Director, Choreographer, Dancer) is a Flamenco artist from Malaga, Spain. who appeared in Fuego Flamenco XIX. He became a professional dancer at age 11. In addition to Crónica de un suceso and Lo preciso, presented at GALA in 2023, Ramírez’s innovative productions also include Entorno, Romances del pasado, Toques de mi conciencia, and Malagueando. He is the recipient of numerous pres. Among the most distinguished are “Breakout Artist Award” at the 2023 Jerez Festival and the El Desplante Prize at the Festival Internacional del Cante de las Minas (La Unión) in 2021. In 2018, he was named “Outstanding Dancer” at the Choreography Competition in Madrid where he performed Malagueando.
Flamenco Aparicio Dance Company is comprised of Artistic Directors Edwin Aparicio and Aleksey Kulikov; Principal Dancers Edwin Aparicio, Fanny Ara, Norberto Chamizo, Timo Núñez, and Cosima Amelang; Company Dancers Kyoko Terada and Sara Jerez; Guitarist Ricardo Marlow; Singer Amparo Heredia “La Repompilla”; and Singer and Percussionist Francisco Orozco “Yiyi.”
Edwin Aparicio (Choreographer, Co-director, Principal Dancer) is a Salvadoran choreographer, dancer, and director based in Washington, DC. One of the most sought-after flamenco performers, instructors and choreographers in the United States and Latin America, Aparicio is described by critics as “the most amazing dancer seen in years,” with “hellfire footwork” and choreographies with “beautiful, evocative imagery.” He trained with world renowned flamenco artist Tomás de Madrid and debuted at the legendary Casa Patas in Madrid in 2001. He is the founder of Flamenco Aparicio Dance Company and is the recipient of the Cross of the Order of Civil Merit, granted by King Felipe VI of Spain.
Aleksey Kulikov (Co-director) is a director from Kiev, Ukraine. He began studying ballroom dance at the age of nine, studied flamenco with Natalia Monteleon and then with Edwin Aparicio, “La Presy,” “LaTati,” Carmela Greco, Manuel Liñán, and Domingo Ortega. Kulikov has performed flamenco at various venues in the DC area, including the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage and GALA in Hugo Medrano’s production of Yerma and Edwin Aparicio’s Flamenco Deconstructed.
Irene Lozano (Director, Choreographer, Dancer) is a Spanish artist who began dancing at age four and formal training at age 11 at the Ateneo de Música y Danza of Málaga, where she discovered Flamenco, her greatest passion. She graduated with a degree in Spanish Dance from the Professional Conservatory of Málaga and has a degree in Choreography with a specialization in Flamenco from the Superior Conservatory. She has trained with La Lupi and renowned masters such as Rocío Molina, Antonio Canales, and Juana Amaya. In 2013, she founded her own company, received the prestigious Premio Desplante in 2022, and her show Presente was a highlight at the 2024 Festival de Jerez. She is the director of the Flamenco Dance Institute in Miami, Florida.
Fuego Flamenco Festival XXI runs November 6-22, 2025, at GALA Hispanic Theatre, 3333 14th St NW, Washington, DC. Single tickets are $50 Premium Center, $45 Orchestra Standard, $35 Orchestra Value, and $25 Balcony Value; $35 Seniors (65+), Military, Teachers, and Groups (10+); $25 25 and Under. Add $5 per person to all ticket prices for Noche de GALA performances on November 7 and 14.
Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm. For the most enthusiastic festivalgoers, GALA offers the Flamenco Festival Pass for $120, which includes one ticket for each of the three main shows. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit galatheatre.org or call 202-234-7174.
