Chicago, IL–One of the great things about living in a city with serious winter weather is that entertainment kicks into high gear when the weather gets bad.  That’s why February is  Chicago Flamenco Festival.  Last night at the Instituto Cervantes at 31 W. Ohio, Concha Jareño entertained a sold-out crowd with a series [...]]]>

Flavio@Flickr

Chicago, IL–One of the great things about living in a city with serious winter weather is that entertainment kicks into high gear when the weather gets bad.  That’s why February is  Chicago Flamenco Festival.  Last night at the Instituto Cervantes at 31 W. Ohio, Concha Jareño entertained a sold-out crowd with a series of dances, ending in a difficult palo style.  Watch a bit of her style on YouTube or MySpace.  Even if you don’t know much about flamenco (and I don’t) you will be amazed at her moves.  She’s doing another concert tomorrow and Wednesday night at the Instituto Cervantes.  Tickets are $20, $15 for students.  Guitarist Flavio Rodrigues–a Brazilian living in Madrid-and singer Pedro Obregón accompanied her, and their music alone could have made the evening.  Combined with Concha Jareño’s dancing, it was a flamenco afficiando’s dream.

The February Flamenco Festival wraps up on Friday with a free performance at the Instituto Cervantes that features Chicago flamenco trio Idilio, and a lecture/demonstration by Catalina Maria Johnson.

The events were acollaboration of the Instituto Cervantes and the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, the Old Town School of Folk Music, the Flamenco Arts Center in Chicago, and Arte y Vida Chicago.