The three-day celebration, open to the public, will offer three major performances — two at the Lobero Theatre and one at Victoria Hall. Each performance will feature a different element and style of flamenco, with the final performance of 16 dancers and musicians bringing all these elements together in one grand, exhilarating event.

The Festival will bring the seven-member recording group Canadu from Spain for their West coast premiere of flamenco music and song on Wednesday night. On Thursday, "Noches Flamencas" will feature the renowned flamenco dancer, teacher and choreographer Lourdes Rodriguez, with Jesus Montoya and Antonio Vargas.

In their U.S. premiere, as the entertainment centerpiece of the Festival, Madrid-based Nuevo Ballet Espanol will present the much-celebrated production "Flamenco Director" at the Lobero Theatre Friday night, June 30. "Directo" integrates dance and the live music of Canadu in a fascinating display of flamenco in its fullest orchestration. Angel Rojas and Carlos Rodriguez, both 25, who founded the company in 1994, are also the company's artistic directors, principal dancers and choreographers.

The "Dancer's Profile" on Thurs., June 29, will provide the community with the opportunity to meet and engage in dialogue with Rojas and Rodriguez. Dance, guitar, song and palmas (hand clapping) workshops and a lecture/demonstration have also been scheduled.

The Flamenco Arts Festival 2000 will enable all people to experience the joy and richness that is so vividly expressed in flamenco. With your continued participation, the Festival is envisioned to be the first of many future celebrations.