today's scene, he is known for his work with Spain's top flamenco artists such as Diego el Cigala and José Mercé. Paco de Lucía made a cameo appearance on del Morao's solo release "Orate" (2010 Cigala Music). He is the son of guitarist "Moraíto," one of the most important flamenco artists of our time, who along with his uncle Manuel Morao, developed the signature sound of traditional Jerez-style flamenco guitar. Diego del Morao takes that legacy into the 21st century.
In the words of veteran guitar legend Manolo Sanlúcar: "This is the vanguard, and at the same time our essence: past, present and future: he is a visionary".
"Del Morao is special. [...] ...tenacious and extravagant". - The New York Times
Video: Diego Del Morao | El Regalo | Bulerias
Video: Diego Del Morao | GañanÃa | Solea por Buleria
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¡Fiesta Jerez! Gypsy Flamenco All-Stars 
Thursday, September 27, 7pm; Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
This concert, celebrating the roots, joy and soul of flamenco, feels less like a stage production and more like an invitation to a Gypsy family gathering in Jerez de la Frontera. From the heart of Andalusia's wine country, this 12-member ensemble features singer/dancer Juana la del Pipa, singer Enrique el Zambo, singer/dancer Kina Mendez, and dancer Gema Moneo, a rising star in flamenco.
Video: Fiesta Jerez
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José Mercé 
Friday, September 28, 8pm; Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
West Coast premiere of Spanish superstar José Mercé, one of the world's greatest living flamenco artists. His 1998 recording "Del Amanecer" (Virgen) garnered worldwide recognition with his contemporary arrangements aimed at a younger audience. With multiple Latin Grammy nominations and more than 600,000 albums sold in the last 15 years, he has made an indelible mark on flamenco. His latest CD will be released on Blue Note in the fall of 2012.
"[...] energetic to the max, with [a] unique, magnificent voice." -Flamenco-World
Video: Jose Merce"Lio"
Video: "Te recuerdo Amanda" (Victor Jara)
Video: Aire
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Farruco Family: El Carpeta y La Farruca
Sunday, September 30, 7pm; Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
The U.S. debut of the 14-year-old prodigy El Carpeta, and return of matriarch La Farruca-both of the legendary Los Farruco dynasty, the first family of Gypsy flamenco dance. As La Farruca is acclaimed for her elegance, her son El Carpeta, youngest brother of superstar Farruquito, is becoming known as the most extraordinary flamenco dancer of his generation and torchbearer for the family legacy.
"... you feel in La Farruca ...the accumulated wisdom of decades, the calm mastery that holds an audience in thrall and never lets it go." -New York Times
Video: El Carpeta - Tangos
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FLAMENCO ON FILM: September 24-26
Landmark Embarcadero Center Cinema, San Francisco
Carlos Saura's "Flamenco, Flamenco" (130 min. Eng subtitles, 2010)
15 years after the release of his 1995 film Flamenco, celebrated Spanish director Carlos Saura returns with a new perspective to the lively and dynamic world of flamenco in his 2010 release, Flamenco, Flamenco. In collaboration with master cinematographer Vittorio Storaro (The Last Emperor, The Sheltering Sky), Saura creates "a visual banquet that serves up so much cinematic artfulness and beauty, your faith in the power of movies is reborn" (Kathleen Murphy). It was nominated for an Academy Award, and won awards at Cannes, but has yet to garner US distribution. Contemporary and visionary, this musical cinema piece is a fascinating chronicle of who's who in the flamenco scene today, featuring several of the artists who will appear in the 2012 Bay Area Flamenco Festival such as José Mercé, El Carpeta and Diego del Morao. Saura's lifelong love affair with flamenco music and dance has brought us several other memorable and well-received films over the years including Bodas De Sangre, Carmen, El Amor Brujo, Flamenco, and Goya in Bordeaux.
Trailer: "Flamenco, Flamenco" de Carlos Saura
"MORAO: Good Flamenco Singing Hurts" (55 min. Eng subtitles, 2011)
A journey into the art of flamenco as a way of life, through the figure of legendary guitarist 'Moraíto Chico' who passed away last year at the age of 55. Together with his uncle Manuel Morao and his son Diego del Morao, he forms the heart of the Morao Gypsy dynasty of Jerez de la Frontera, a hotbed of flamenco. Moraíto created an unparalleled style, a reflection of his great personality and humor that ignited everything and everyone around him.
Trailer: 'EL CANTE BUENO DUELE'
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FESTIVAL FLAMENCO GITANO USA was founded and is curated by Nina Menéndez of Bay Area Flamenco and is presented in collaboration with partners in other major urban centers such as Kala Koa Entertainment in Los Angeles and World Music Institute in New York City. The UNESCO has recognized flamenco as a World Heritage Treasure, acknowledging the Gypsies' essential role in its evolution. Celebrating Spanish Gypsy music and dance as a living culture and a legacy of world stature, the Festival has presented some of the most important figures in the history of flamenco as well as prodigies from today's generation of artists. In 2012 the Festival and its Artistic Director received a Special Honor from the Isadora Duncan Dance Awards.
"These artists are bringing the Gitano essence of flamenco into the 21st century," explains Festival director Nina Menendez. "They have an ease for improvisation that comes from living the art as part of everyday life. No choreography is required, only an intimate connection among the dancers and musicians who interact freely on the basis of a shared legacy and an insatiable hunger to find the spark of duende that transforms the mundane into the sublime."
Nina Menéndez, Festival founder & Artistic Director, has a life-long passion for flamenco. 
She has a PhD in Cultural Studies (Stanford University, 1993) and her paternal grandparents were from Spain where she has cultivated deep ties to the flamenco community. She serves as director of Bay Area Flamenco, organizing numerous flamenco concerts, workshops and cultural exchange opportunities throughout the year and sharing her profound respect for the art of flamenco. She is an active member of the Bay Area arts scene and maintains a lively network of community relations and volunteers.
The 7th Annual Bay Area Flamenco Festival has been made possible in part by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts in partnership with the Walter and Elise Haas Fund, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the James Irvine Foundation.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO PALACE OF FINE ARTS THEATER
The Palace of Fine Arts Theater is accessible by San Francisco Muni buses #30, #43, #28, and #29. Muni bus lines #22, #41, and #45 also stop in the vicinity. From Fisherman's Wharf take the #30 Stockton bus. For more information, call Muni at (415) 673-6864 or check the SFMTA trip planner.
If you're taking BART, get off at the Montgomery Street station, walk one half-block up Market Street to Third Street, and catch the #30 Stockton bus on the corner.
Virtually all downtown-bound Golden Gate Transit buses stop nearby the Theatre. Ask your driver for directions or call Golden Gate Transit Information at 511 (toll-free) or 415-455-2000 (outside the Bay Area). www.511.org
