Lakshmi Basile, who’s returned to San Diego as an ambassador for her craft, is spearheading the city’s first Flamenco Festival in Pacific Beach.
The event, on Sunday, Feb. 26 from 5:30 p.m. to midnight, at 3567 Del Rey St., will feature Basile and other professional flamenco performers from Spain, where flamenco was born. Also included will be an internationally acclaimed gypsy troupe.
Created, organized and produced by private flamenco instructor Basile, the festival celebrates Spanish and gypsy cultural arts through a memorable evening of music, dance and song.
Showcased at the inaugural fest will be young talent, as well as internationally acclaimed flamenco performers and dancers accompanied by live authentic gypsy music. It will be an inspiring evening of entertainment with Mediterranean cuisine, refreshments, artesian crafts, a cash bar, a silent auction and gifts from supporting donors.
Lakshmi Basile La Chimi, a native San Diegan and the daughter of musicians who honed her flamenco art while residing in Spain for several years, made history there. She was the first non-Spanish artist to win an award in the central flamenco contest in Spain in 2011.
She discussed the new festival’s significance.
“We want to have a strong community out here for flamenco,” she said. “The idea is to bring together the flamenco community, bring the cultural art to San Diego. We want people to get interested in the art form, or interested in supporting the cause of the nonprofit.”
A portion of proceeds from the festival will support a culture group providing flamenco and other dance instruction to more than 1,000 children throughout San Diego.
“I work alongside a nonprofit organization, Roots Performing Arts Youth Company, that gives free and low-cost classes,” Basile said. “They will be present for the show, and a portion of the proceeds (10 percent) will go to them to help that organization thrive.”
What to expect from the flamenco cultural event?
“People will see me dancing and three other artists from Spain for this show,” Basile said. “It’s not going to be watered-down flamenco. There will be authentic dance, song and guitar playing by authentic gypsies from there.”
Basile said the flamenco performance will last about 90 minutes, to be followed by a buffet dinner with an opportunity later for the audience to mix with performers.
Discussing the dance style’s appeal, Basile noted professional flamenco dancers get into a “meditative state,” something she herself is familiar with.
“Flamenco is one of the few art forms that allows me to do that,” she said. “It touches me, speaks to me. It’s really rewarding. You get to really transmit it to other people. Many times, people have come up to me and they cried or were touched in some way or other. It’s a gift, a very special state of being.”
Flamenco performing artists direct from Spain will include:
• Pepe Del Morao, a guitarist from Jerez, is from one of the most important flamenco guitar dynasties in history.
• Manuel Tane, who started performing at age 16, has gained national and international acclaim from his performances in theaters worldwide.
• Luis De La Tota, is a beloved teacher known for his ability to share the secrets of flamenco with endless energy, humor and grace. Flamenco Festival
When: Sunday, Feb. 26 from 5:30 p.m. to midnight.
Where: 3567 Del Rey St.
Tickets: $35 online, $40 at the door.
Info: Visit www.lakshmibasile.com or email [email protected].