Flamenco Festival New York 2025 Thrills 16,000 Spectators and Reaffirms Its Success in the U.S.

Flamenco Festival New York 2025 Thrills 16,000 Spectators and Reaffirms Its Success in the U.S.

Standing Ovations, Seven Sold-Out Shows, and a High-Impact Program Establish the 24th Edition as a Cultural Landmark in the U.S.

Flamenco Festival New York 2025 has come to a close, marking yet another milestone in its mission to showcase the richness of flamenco in the United States. Over 11 days, from March 5 to March 15, the festival brought together 16,000 spectators across 24 performances in New York, Miami, Chicago, and San Francisco, achieving an 81% average occupancy in New York City and selling out seven shows.

We close this edition with unforgettable memories in New York, where more than 12,000 spectators filled the venues and many performances sold out. The audience chanting ‘New York loves you!’ to the artists is proof of the deep bond between the city and flamenco.

Miguel Marín, Director of Flamenco Festival

Granada: The Soul of This Year’s Edition

This year, Granada took center stage, with a carefully curated selection of artists representing the essence of flamenco from the Andalusian city. The lineup featured Manuel Liñán, Patricia Guerrero, Eva Yerbabuena, Kiki Morente, Marina Heredia, and Juan Habichuela Nieto, among others, paying tribute to Granada’s flamenco heritage and the legacy of Federico García Lorca.

The festival opened with the sold-out performance of «Lorquianos», an emotional concert by Kiki Morente and Carlos de Jacoba at Elebash Recital Hall (CUNY Graduate Center, NYC). Drawing inspiration from Lorca’s poetry and the iconic albums Lorca and Omega by Enrique Morente, the two artists created a magical atmosphere that set the tone for an unforgettable edition.

Standing Ovations, Passion, and Unforgettable Moments

The energy and enthusiasm of the audience were evident throughout the festival, with performances that sparked fervent applause and standing ovations.

  • Manuel Liñán’s «Muerta de Amor» at the New York City Center was a complete sold-out event, a successes that confirms his strong connection with U.S. audiences following his appearance at the festival in 2022 with «¡Viva!»
  • «Yerbagüena (Oscuro brillante)» by Eva Yerbabuena drew 4,400 spectators over two nights, selling out both performances.
  • A particularly emotional moment came when Mikhail Baryshnikov, present in the audience, personally congratulated Eva Yerbabuena backstage, visibly moved by her performance.

Manuel Liñán’s performance was absolutely stunning; the theater was electrified by the audience’s applause and endless standing ovations. Eva Yerbabuena, meanwhile, left the audience breathless, filling two shows of 2,200 seats each.

Miguel Marín, Director of Flamenco Festival

Flamenco Meets Jazz: A Historic Fusion at Jazz at Lincoln Center

One of the standout events of this edition was «Flamenco Meets Jazz», a mesmerizing performance at the Jazz at Lincoln Center that completely sold out. The unique fusion of both genres was led by flamenco guitarist Carlos de Jacoba and Grammy-winning pianist Zaccai Curtis, alongside percussionist Juan Carmona.

This powerful concert honored Federico García Lorca’s connection with African American music during his time in New York, bridging two rich musical traditions in an electrifying and unforgettable night.

Flamenco as a Bridge Between Generations

The festival’s educational mission was once again a key focus this year, with its traditional student matinee, attended by 2,000 children aged 8 to 14. Since its inception, this initiative has introduced over 25,000 students to flamenco through performances, workshops, and school residencies.

In this edition, students experienced a special adaptation of «Alter Ego» by Alfonso Losa and Patricia Guerrero, having previously received lessons on flamenco’s history and fundamental elements in their classrooms.

It’s truly incredible to see how children react to flamenco: knowing exactly when to say ‘ole,’ marveling at the artists’ virtuosity, and respectfully embracing the silent moments of the performance. These experiences can stay with them for life.

Miguel Marín, Director of Flamenco Festival

Theater, Circus, and Film: New Forms of Flamenco Expression

Flamenco Festival New York 2025 explored new artistic dimensions, merging flamenco with theater, circus, and film. Repertorio Español captivated audiences with its staging of «La Casa de Bernarda Alba», offering a powerful interpretation of Lorca’s masterpiece that highlighted the deep emotional connection between his work and flamenco. Meanwhile, the Instituto Cervantes in New York hosted screenings of «Cante Jondo: Granada 1922» and «Sacromonte, los sabios de la tribu», two documentaries that shed light on Granada’s rich flamenco legacy, followed by discussions featuring Eva Yerbabuena and Marina Heredia.

One of the most striking performances of the festival was «Órbita», presented by the Granada-based company Zen del Sur at NYU King Juan Carlos I Spain Center. This groundbreaking production combined flamenco, contemporary dance, and circus arts, creating a visually stunning and deeply expressive spectacle. Developed in collaboration with the Instituto Cervantes, the show sold out completely, reaffirming the audience’s enthusiasm for innovative and multidisciplinary approaches to flamenco.

An Unforgettable Closing Tribute to Lorca

The festival’s grand finale was an emotionally charged recital by Marina Heredia at Merkin Concert Hall (Kaufman Music Center), where her powerful and expressive voice paid homage to Federico García Lorca. Accompanied by guitarist José Quevedo «Bolita», Heredia presented «De lo jondo a Lorca», merging Lorca’s poetry with the deep, expressive soul of flamenco.

The performance, filled with intensity and nuance, moved the audience to their feet in a standing ovation, reaffirming flamenco’s profound impact on New York’s cultural landscape. Marina Heredia’s ability to convey raw emotion and passion made for a breathtaking conclusion to an edition that celebrated both Granada’s legacy and flamenco’s universal reach.

Flamenco Festival: A Global Platform for Flamenco

With 1,377 performances in 101 cities and 169 companies featured over its 24-year history, Flamenco Festival continues to solidify itself as the premier international flamenco showcase.

Flamenco Festival New York 2025 was made possible thanks to the support of INAEM, the Spanish Ministry of Culture, the Provincial Government of Granada, the City of Granada, the Instituto Cervantes, Acción Cultural Española, and many other institutions.

Thank you to all the people and institutions who have made Flamenco Festival New York 2025 possible! See you next year!