Peña La Pepa Presents
The New Orleans Chateau Flamenco Festival
November 15 & 21, 2025 | Jefferson Performing Arts Center
Flamenco returns to New Orleans with the 4th Annual Chateau Flamenco Festival — a week-long celebration bringing world-class artists direct from Spain. This year’s edition features two unforgettable performances that reveal flamenco’s depth and diversity: one rooted in raw tradition, the other boldly reimagining the art form for today.
From the delta of Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia to the delta of Louisiana, the festival bridges cultures through rhythm, passion, and artistry. Whether you’re drawn to the uncompromised fiesta of Sonidos Gitanos or the contemporary vision of Chronicle of a Time that Was, you’ll witness flamenco that connects past and present, tradition and innovation.
Two nights. Two visions. One festival.
Sonidos Gitanos – Nov 15
“Gitano de verdad — flamenco in its purest: fiesta-style, uncomprimised, authentic.”
Direct from Jerez de la Frontera, María Bermúdez brings her powerhouse ensemble of dancers, singers, and musicians for an evening of raw, uncompromised Gypsy flamenco.
Chronicle of a Time that Was – Nov 21
“A journey through memory & movement — flamenco that transcends time.”
Award-winning dancer Rafael Ramírez presents a daring tribute to Antonio Gades, blending flamenco and avant-garde dance with live music in a powerful 75-minute performance.
Gypsy Sounds from the Delta of Jerez to the Delta of New Orleans
Flamenco is more than a performance—it’s a journey of rhythm, soul, and raw emotion. The Chateau Flamenco Festival celebrates the historic ties between the vibrant streets of Jerez and the jazz-soaked heart of New Orleans— two deltas have served as cradles of musical innovation.
Just as Jerez gave birth to flamenco, New Orleans nurtured jazz—and the echoes of Spanish, African, and Romani traditions can be heard in both. Prepare to be transported by the hypnotic rhythms of the compás, the deep cry of the cante, and the intricate footwork of baile flamenco as these sounds come to life on stage.
This year’s festival marks a milestone: both productions are premiering in Louisiana for the first time. Returning to New Orleans is Artistic Director María Bermúdez, who lit up the 2023 festival and now brings a brand-new edition of Sonidos Gitanos. Joining her is Rafael Ramírez, one of Spain’s most acclaimed young dancers, here for his Louisiana debut thanks to the international connections and vision of Executive Producer María José Salmerón.
Though the festival faced political headwinds and postponement, that challenge became an opportunity. Instead of one performance, María José has brought two world-class productions to New Orleans, expanding the festival into a full week-long celebration that honors both flamenco’s roots and its future.
Press Coverage: Big Easy Magazine and The Gambit
Jerez de la Frontera, Anadalusia – Aerial View of Historic Alcazar – Photo Credit: Gagliardi Photo
Statue of Jerezana flamenco Singer “La Paquera” in Jerez’s San Miguel neighborhood – Photo Credit: Jerezplataforma, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Flamenco Festival Ticket Information
Join us for two nights of world-class flamenco direct from Spain. Whether you come for one performance or both, the Chateau Flamenco Festival promises an unforgettable celebration of art, culture, and community.
📅 Date: Saturday, Nov 15, 2025
🕗 Time: Doors 7 pm, Show 8 pm
📍 Location: Jefferson Performing Arts Center
6400 Airline Drive Metairie
Metairie, LA 70003
Directions and Parking
📅 Date: Saturday, Nov 21, 2025
🕗 Time: Doors 7 pm, Show 8 pm
📍 Location: Jefferson Performing Arts Center
6400 Airline Drive Metairie
Metairie, LA 70003
Directions and Parking
More Flamenco This Fall: Peña Events in October & November
The celebration of flamenco in New Orleans doesn’t start in November — it begins right here at home. In the lead-up to the Chateau Flamenco Festival, Peña la Pepa will reopen its doors for a weekend of flamenco workshops and an intimate Peña Night concert from October 9–11, 2025.
Join guest artists Cristian Puig (guitar/singing) and Marilia Quevedo (dance) for:
Tangos del Titi & Bulerías workshops (all levels welcome)
An intimate Peña Night performance with live flamenco, Spanish-style tapas, and community atmosphere
Festival Kickoff at Peña la Pepa – Nov 14
Before the festival opens at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center, experience an intimate flamenco concert with Jesús Méndez and Manuel Valencia at Peña la Pepa. Only 50 seats for this once-in-a-lifetime Louisiana debut.
Our Sponsors
The 4th Annual New Orleans Chateau Flamenco Festival would not be possible without the generosity of the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund (NOTCF). Elevating New Orleans to the World.
Thank you to Arts New Orleans: This program is supported in part by a Community Arts Grant made possible by the City of New Orleans as administered by Arts New Orleans. Thank you to The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation for your continued support.
History of the Chateau Flamenco Festival
Did you know that in the 1960s New Orleans had its very own flamenco tablao (place where flamenco is performed)? Located in the French Quarter, not far from Preservation Hall, it was founded by the acclaimed flamenco dancer, Teresa Torkanowsky. Torkanowsky moved to New Orleans with her husband, Werner Torkanowsky, when he accepted the position of music director and chief conductor of the New Orleans Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra. She invited her colleagues from Spain to perform with her and named the tablao Chateau Flamenco.
The founder of Peña La Pepa and The New Orleans Chateau Flamenco Festival, María José Salmerón, was Teresa’s student. After Teresa’s death in 2021, María José began planning what would become this annual flamenco festival and dedicated the inaugural event to Torkanowsky.
Our goal is to honor Teresa’s legacy and the incredible artistic beauty that comes to life when people, cultures, and art blend together to form something new. It’s a beauty that created the many palos (styles) of flamenco, and a beauty that defines what so many people love about the city of New Orleans.
Read about the 3rd Annual Chateau Flamenco Festival and watch the highlights!
Peña La Pepa: Our Story and Our Mission
Peña La Pepa of New Orleans is home of the Mamacita Social Aid Pleasure Club, Inc., dedicated to research, history, presentation, and education of Spanish art and its roots in New Orleans.
Established in 2012, the organization’s mission is to integrate into New Orleans Culture an appreciation and continuum of the art of flamenco through performance and education programming by exceptional flamenco artists.
Our President and Executive Director, María José Salmerón, started a non-profit called “Mamacita Social Aid Pleasure Club” with a board of directors and its own charter.
The history of the New Orleans Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs goes back to Spanish Caribbean social constructs of the 17th century. Through her involvement in New Orleans Second Line society, María José recognized the affinity of New Orleans brass band jazz and Spanish flamenco music and culture.
When she opened the doors to “PEÑA LA PEPA” it was the first Peña Flamenca in the US. Our organization has had international artists from all parts of Spain in the peña along with traditional New Orleans brass band musicians. Over the years, we’ve conducted numerous master classes, shows, and educational endeavors and engaged audiences from diverse backgrounds.
Through social aid, we aim to support our historic indigenous culture and revive the historic Spanish presence through art, dance, music to entertain and enlighten.
Message from the Director
Maria Jose Salmeron, Executive Producer
New Orleans and Jerez de la Frontera are connected in ways that are deeper than many realize. Both cities are legendary for their music, storytelling, and improvisation. Just as the sounds of jazz were born in the streets of New Orleans, flamenco was shaped in the heart of Andalucía. As a New Orleanian who spent my early years in Barcelona, flamenco has always been a part of me. My journey led me to Jerez, where I traced the roots of Spain’s influence on our city’s musical heritage.
This festival is more than a performance; it is a celebration of our shared history. Each year, we aim to bring these two worlds closer together by showcasing the unparalleled beauty of flamenco. I invite you to join us for an unforgettable night, where the rhythms of Jerez meet the soul of New Orleans.
Peña La Pepa is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating flamenco’s rich cultural history in New Orleans. Through performance, education, and community engagement, we continue the legacy of Spanish influence on the city’s musical and artistic heritage.
Join us for a night of passion, rhythm, and cultural fusion at the Chateau Flamenco Festival 2025! We can’t wait to see you there.
