Santa Fe, the oldest capital city in the United States, and the northernmost frontier of the Spanish colonies, was founded in 1610. Early fiestas and town fairs included Native American dances and Spanish classical and folkloric dancing. In the early 20th century, flamenco, a centuries-old art form, involving dance, song, and instrumental (mostly guitar) music most commonly associated with the Andalusian gitanos (gypsies) of southern Spain, took hold and found a new home in the Southwest. Many of New Mexico’s earliest flamenco artists hail from generations old New Mexican families, including Santa Fe’s Vicente Romero, who traveled to Spain to study and tour professionally.

Benítez and Romero at El Nido
Romero brought his knowledge home and in 1964 began performing nightly at an establishment called El Nido, in Tesuque, just a few miles north of Santa Fe. In 1969, Romero and dancer María Benítez, who had lived on Taos Pueblo (and had also studied in Spain) performed summer shows there, slowly building an audience for the palpable art form.
In 1975, Benítez debuted at the Delacorte Theater during the New York Dance Festival and began dividing her time between Santa Fe, New York, and the world, which became a stage for her company María Benítez Teatro Flamenco. In Santa Fe, she founded the Institute for Spanish Arts with her Spanish husband Cecilio Benítez with the mission of imparting the depth of Spanish heritage as expressed through multiple expressions of art, including the flamenco tradition. Many of the professional dancers you see in Santa Fe were her students.
Today, New Mexican flamenco is five generations strong and counting, and Santa Fe is one of the top destinations in the United States to see flamenco outside of Spain.
El Flamenco Cabaret with Compañía Entreflamenco
entreflamenco.com; 505.209.1302
ongoing performances; check for availability

Even with four robust seasons of flamenco performances at El Flamenco Cabaret, shows consistently sell out, so make reservations! The company Entreflamenco (a 2017 Santa Fe Mayor’s Arts Award winner) is led by 2022 NYC Bessie Award nominee Antonio Granjero (for his outstanding performance at The Joyce Theater), originally from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, and Estefanía Ramirez. The artistic duo own and operate El Flamenco Cabaret, Santa Fe’s only venue dedicated 100% to flamenco, where they direct, produce, and star in the headlining shows. In an intimate setting, savor à la carte Spanish cuisine and wines, while captivated by flamenco performances that feature and celebrate guest artists from Spain, including Juan Jose Alba.
El Farol
elfarolsantafe.com/flamencodinnershow; 505.983.9912
Thurs–Sat, 6:30 pm dinner / 8–9pm flamenco performance; special December holiday dates

Reserve your spot for a one-of-a-kind prix-fixe dinner menu and flamenco show at the oldest (founded in 1835!) and most beloved bar in Santa Fe—El Farol. For 30 years, El Farol has invited talented musicians and dancers to their intimate stage via the National Institute of Flamenco. Experience performances by Marisol Encinias, Joaquín Encinias, Vicente Griego, and the members of Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company. Acclaimed guests from Spain, such as Carmen Coy, Jesús Perona, and David "El Galli" also grace the stage.
EmiArteFlamenco
emiarteflamenco.com; 505.660.9122
special performance runs in Summer, Fall, and in December
Make plans to see native New Mexican La Emi and her company EmiArteFlamenco! Virtually born into flamenco, she was first exposed to the raw emotion of the art form while in utero. It was a family affair to attend the María Benítez Cabaret shows, where her father worked the box office. At the age of four, La Emi began taking classes with Benítez and as a high schooler began teaching for her. Since 2014, EmiArteFlamenco has spellbound audiences with a rotating cast of talented musicians and dancers of various genres from New Mexico and beyond, including singer Vicente Griego and his rumba Flamenca band, ReVóZo. La Emi collaborates with top choreographers to create her shows, including Eloy Aguilar from Granada and Gala Vivancos from Madrid, with whom she studies in Spain.
Other opportunities to experience flamenco in The City Different
- a monthly performance by Pasión Flamenca. Singer/dancer Nicolasa Chávez is Serenata Flamenca on the historic adventure train Sky Railway (skyrailway.com/#adventures; 844.743.3759)
- special performance appearances at Teatro Paraguas and long-running El Rancho de las Golondrinas festivals by Compañia Chuscales y Mina Fajardo (minafajardo.com; 505.310.5455)
- summer performance on Santa Fe stages by Albuquerque-based company Casa Flamenca, whose directors are dancer Carmen Montes “La Chispa” from Mexico, and guitarist virtuoso Juani de la Isla, from Cádiz, Spain (casaflamenca.org; 505.247.0622)
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