Peña La Pepa Presents
The 2nd Annual New Orleans
Chateau Flamenco Festival
Join us on Wednesday, Nov. 29th for a night of thrilling performances as we celebrate the legacy of flamenco in New Orleans.
Nothing like this has ever been presented in New Orleans, ever. International, cross continent and local artists coming together for a historic event.
We’re bringing together six world-renowned flamenco artists and two of our very own– Dr. Michael White and Mahmoud Chouki– for the first time ever.
Come experience the passion, the music, the dance, the stories: the human soul.
When: Wed. Nov. 29, 2023 at 7:30 PM
Where: Jefferson Performing Arts Center
Artwork by Annabelle Pavy of Pavy Studio.
The Fandango a La Luisiana: A Blend of Cultures
This year, the Chateau Flamenco Festival celebrates the global reach of the fandango in music, song and dance. A flamenco palo (style) whose rhythmic beats and graceful steps blend together European, American, and African influences.
The flamenco fandango is one of the best known palos . Some theorize that it’s the most primitive song that exists. It’s the result of the mixtures of cultures that have influenced its creation. So, that there are many variations isn’t surprising. And it is not exclusive to flamenco art.
The 2nd edition of the New Orleans Chateau Flamenco Festival presents jazz and flamenco artists from New Orleans, Jerez de La Frontera, and Sevilla (Cadiz-Spain) to bring to life the influence of the most important musical period in Afro Louisiana of 19th century New Orleans and its influence in flamenco art. The show is choreographed to bring to life this transitional period when Afro Louisiana, through its Spanish flamenco influence, developed its own musical style.
The fandango’s story of influences converging is a spectacle that’s both mesmerizing and meaningful. Flamenco drew inspiration from African, Moorish, Gitano, and Andalusian cultures. As it spread across the Atlantic, it evolved, picking up new rhythms and moves. In places like Veracruz, Mexico, it’s the fandango you’ll experience, with its unmistakable mix of afro and indigenous sounds.
In many ways, the city of New Orleans mirrors this beautiful confluence. A city known for its vibrant mosaic of cultures, where French, Spanish, African, and indigenous American legacies combine to produce a unique cultural ethos. The lively streets of New Orleans echo with jazz, a testament to African rhythms, European harmonies, and indigenous tunes blending in perfect symphony.
“The Fandango a La Luisiana” is not just our theme; it’s a reflection of this symmetry. Through the foot-tapping beats and passionate expressions of flamenco, we aim to showcase how disparate cultural strands can weave together, creating a rich tapestry of art that’s as resonant as the history of New Orleans itself.
We hope you’ll join us for the Chateau Flamenco Festival! It’s a chance to celebrate the cultural journey that has made New Orleans the soulful city it is today.
A Star-Studded Lineup: The Artists
New Orleans’ own Peña La Pepa brings María Bermúdez, Pelé de los Reyes, Ana de los Reyes, Diego Amador, Curro Carrasco, and Diego Alvarez “El Negro” together with Dr. Michael White and Mahmoud Chouki for a night you won’t soon forget.
Dr. Michael White: New Orleans Jazz Legend
Dr. Michael White is a celebrated New Orleans clarinetist, bandleader, composer, musicologist, jazz historian, and educator. He’s widely regarded as one of the leading authorities and culture-bearers of traditional New Orleans jazz music.
A classically trained musician, White began his career as a teenager playing for Doc Paulin’s Brass Band here in New Orleans. He was discovered by Kid Sheik Colar, who heard him performing in Jackson Square in the French Quarter. White went on to play with many of the greats of New Orleans jazz, including Wynton Marsalis, Jelly Roll Morton, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.
In 1981, White founded The Original Liberty Jazz Band to preserve the musical heritage of New Orleans. The group has performed an end-of-year concert at the Village Vanguard in New York City every year since the early 1990s.
He’s performed in over two dozen foreign countries, played on over 50 recordings, received countless awards, made multiple national television appearances, and been featured in major media publications.
White is known for his virtuosic clarinet playing, his deep knowledge of New Orleans jazz history, and his commitment to preserving and promoting this unique musical tradition. He is also a highly respected educator. Known for having taught African American music at Xavier University since 1984. A lesser known fact is that he actually began at Xavier in 1980, teaching Spanish!
We’re honored to have this true living legend of New Orleans jazz at the Chateau Flamenco Festival. His music is inspired by the same cultural influences as flamenco: Spanish, African and American. He’s a master of improvisation, which is a key element of both flamenco and jazz. A true champion of New Orleans music, his presence at the festival is a testament to our commitment to celebrating our city’s rich cultural heritage.
Mahmoud Chouki: A Melodic Fusion of Global Sounds
Embarking on a musical journey from the rich rhythms of Morocco to the jazz-soaked streets of New Orleans, Mahmoud Chouki is a master guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and innovative composer, who blends musical influences from around the world.
Chouki’s music draws on European classical, Andalusian, Levantine, Maghrebian, Latin American, and jazz influences. But what truly sets him apart is his versatility. He plays an impressive variety of global instruments, including the loutar of Morocco’s Middle Atlas, the sintir from the Sahel region, the enchanting oud, the Algerian mandole, the melodic Bağlama saz, and even the familiar banjo.
Chouki has composed for the New Orleans Museum of Art’s international contemporary exhibition, “Bodies of Knowledge,” and the critically acclaimed film “Ma Belle, My Beauty”, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2021. However, it was his “Oud Concerto for New Orleans,” a harmonious blend of his Moroccan heritage with the soul of his adopted city, that showcased his flair for pushing musical boundaries. Written for the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, this piece was crafted during the reflective period following Hurricane Ida.
Chouki is also the artistic director of Rencontre Orient-Occident at Château Mercier in Sierre, Switzerland, a festival that brings together international musicians. Here, where music may be the only common language between the performers, a new dialog emerges between the East and West.
Like many of the other artists performing this year, Chouki is a passionate educator. He teaches at Lycée Français, a French Immersion Charter School, in New Orleans. Beyond notes and chords, Chouki shows his students the power of music as a universal connector and inspires them to explore different musical traditions.
Chouki’s upcoming album with the New Orleans Jazz Museum’s Gallatin Street Records blends New Orleans jazz classics with his original compositions, reflecting the city’s enduring influence on his artistry.
Join us at the Chateau Flamenco Festival, to experience Mahmoud Chouki’s story of exploration, connection, and a profound appreciation for the musical traditions that have shaped him. We’ll experience a journey across continents and a deep dive into the soul of music. Echoing the sentiment of a local cab driver who once remarked, “Everyone in the world is born a New Orleanian, and the luckiest ones come here.”
María Bermúdez: Flamenco Ambassador
María Bermúdez is one of the world’s most celebrated and respected flamenco artists in the world. She’s also a passionate advocate for flamenco education and outreach. She was officially named the Flamenco Ambassador in 2022 by the city of Jerez de la Frontera for her outstanding contributions to the art form.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Bermúdez’s flamenco journey inspired the award winning documentary “ Streets of Flamenco”. Her quest began in the 90s when the untimely death of her brother, Alfonso, who was a flamenco dancer, pushed her to follow her own dream of dancing flamenco. She was drawn to the dance’s passionate energy and intricate rhythms, and she quickly immersed herself in its rich culture and traditions.
Bermúdez has performed on some of the most prestigious stages in the world, including the Hollywood Bowl and The John Anson Ford Amphitheater in Los Angeles, The Joyce Theatre and Lincoln Center Outdoors in New York, Festival de Beaucaire in France, the Palacio Das Artes, Brazil, and countless festivals.
Her guest appearances include the Australian Guitar Festival dedicated to Paco de Lucía and with the director of the Orquesta Santa Cecilia, Sonia de León, The Teatro Villamarta in Spain, the legendary “52ª Fiesta de la Bulería” in Jerez, and most recently, The Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles as artistic director and performer of the unprecedented and sold out “Fiesta de la Bulería”.
Bermúdez is a highly respected teacher and choreographer, and she has dedicated her life to sharing her love of flamenco with others.
Bermúdez’s performances are electrifying and deeply moving. She is a master of her craft, and she brings a unique blend of passion, artistry, and technical brilliance to every stage she graces.
Her performance at the Chateau Flamenco Festival is a unique opportunity for New Orleanians to experience the beauty and power of flamenco music and dance.
Diego Amador: The Gypsy Ray Charles
Diego Amador is a flamenco jazz multi-instrumentalist, singer, and composer. He is known for his free and vigorous spirit when playing the piano, which has earned him the nickname “El Ray Charles Gitano” (the gypsy Ray Charles).
Amador was born into a gypsy family with a flamenco musical tradition in Seville, Spain. He began his musical training at an early age, starting with the guitar and singing. He then self-taught himself to play the piano, applying his knowledge of flamenco to the instrument.
In his adolescence, Amador played drums in the flamenco group “Pata Negra,” which was founded by two of his older brothers, Raimundo and Rafael. In 1994, he created his own quartet, “Patita Negra.” However, his solo career would take a different direction, as he consolidated himself as a pianist and flamenco singer in his own right.
Amador has collaborated with some of the biggest stars of flamenco, including Tomatito, Camarón de la Isla, Remedios Amaya, and Diego El Cigala. He has also collaborated with jazz artists such as Pat Metheny, Pirelli Lagrene, Charlie Haden, and Chick Corea.
Amador’s music is a unique fusion of flamenco and jazz. After a concert in 2012, the Chicago Tribune’s Howard Reich wrote, “Amador might stack flamenco lines in his right hand above surging jazz rhythm in his left; or apply ultra-sophisticated jazz harmony to intricate, melismatic flamenco melody; or revel in luxuriant blues chords; or draw upon the musical vocabulary of the Spanish classical master Isaac Albeniz; or produce thick clusters of sound inspired by Charles Ives; or sweep the full range of the keyboard in the manner of Cecil Taylor.”
Amador’s performance at the Chateau Flamenco Festival is a unique opportunity to experience the mastery of a true virtuoso. It is a chance to see an artist who is constantly pushing the boundaries of flamenco and creating new and exciting sounds.
Pelé de los Reyes: Flamenco Fusión Innovator
Latin Grammy nominee, Ildefonso de los Reyes, better known as Pelé, is a flamenco-fusion singer, composer, and founder of the group Navajita Plateá. He is considered to be one of the pioneers of the nuevo flamenco (new flamenco), a genre that fuses traditional flamenco with other musical styles, such as blues, rock, latin, and even hip-hop.
Pelé and his group were nominated for best artist and best flamenco composer for their album “Contratiempos“, reaching the Billboard charts with the hit song “Frío Sin Ti’ ‘ (Cold without you). They received a Triple Platinum Disc with their album “Desde mi Azotea” (From my Rooftop), and best song of the year with their legendary “Noches de Bohemia” (Bohemian Nights) from the Music Awards, Spain (“Premios de la Música, España”.) Their fourth album, Hablando en Plata, was nominated for the Latin Grammy 2001. It’s no surprise they’re widely considered one of the best contemporary flamenco groups in the world.
The group has also toured extensively and collaborated with artists from a variety of genres, including Chuck Berry, The Chieftains, and Maná, and, of course, countless flamenco artists.
Pelé’s music is known for its infectious energy, catchy melodies, and passionate vocals. He writes well-crafted songs that often tell stories about love, loss, and the human experience. He is also a gifted guitarist and percussionist and a master of improvisation. His live performances are always electrifying.
Pelé de los Reyes is one of the most exciting and innovative flamenco artists working today. His music is a celebration of the diversity and dynamism of flamenco culture. His performance at the Chateau Flamenco Festival is a unique opportunity to experience the future of flamenco
Curro Carrasco: Guitar Virtuoso and Composer
Francisco Carrasco Soto “Curro Carrasco” is a flamenco guitarist, composer, and along with Pelé de Los Reyes, founder and member of the flamenco-fusion group “Navajita Plateá”.
Born into a renowned flamenco family of artists, singers and guitarists such as Los Sordera, Los Fernández, María Soleá, and Los Carrascos. He is the brother of the cantaor “Juañares” and nephew of Diego Carrasco.
And you can hear that family legacy in his guitar playing. His rhythmic patterns and musicality stand out from traditional flamenco while maintaining his essence, and yes, his legacy.
Carrasco has collaborated with many important flamenco artists, including Diego Carrasco, María Toledo, Sordera, Nani Cortés, and La Fabi. He has also toured extensively throughout the world with Navajita Plateá.
Carrasco is a master of flamenco guitar, and his playing is characterized by its passion, artistry, and technical brilliance. His performances are deeply moving and intoxicating, and he has captivated audiences all over the world.
Chateau Flamenco Festival is honored to have one of the most talented and respected flamenco guitarists in the world and provide New Orleans flamenco aficionados with a chance to see a master artist at work, pushing the boundaries of what is possible with this timeless art form.
Ana de los Reyes: Flamenco Royalty
Born into a family of flamenco artists, Ana de Los Reyes is from the birthplace of flamenco, Jerez de la Frontera, Andalusia and is the sister of three esteemed flamenco singers, Pelé De Los Reyes, Chiqui de Jerez, and Coral de Los Reyes.
After years of honing her craft, she joined the dance company of Joaquín Cortés, “Arte y Solera” in Japan and then subsequently joined “Sonidos Gitanos,” the dance company of María Bermúdez, captivating audiences around the world.
Ana is a recording artist, participating in several albums including “Nanas Flamencas“, “Duende y Compás“, “Soul y Pasión Gitana“.
She is a master of traditional flamenco dance forms, but is known for her innovative contemporary choreography. Her performances are deeply moving and she has shared stages with artists such as Sara Baras, Javier Barón, Rafael Campayo, Domingo Ortega, Adrián Galiana, Aida Gómez, José Gálvez, Antonio Malena, María del Mar Moreno, and many others.
In 2013, Ana joined the Japanese company Hiro Sako where they performed at the Festival de Jerez. In 2014, they performed at the Palacio Villavicencio where she was a featured soloist. And in 2016, they performed the show “Sentimento y Pureza” at the Alcazar of Jerez.
Since then, she’s performed with María Bermúdez at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, at the 52nd Fiesta de la Buleria in Jerez, and “Navidad de Coral” at the Teatro Villamarta de Jerez.
At the Chateau Flamenco Festival, Ana de los Reyes promises to deliver a performance that’s both a tribute to her jerezeno roots and a testament to her innovative spirit.
Diego Alvarez “El Negro”: Master of the Cajón
Diego “El Negro” Alvarez is a Venezuelan-born, Los Angeles-based master cajón player. He is known for his virtuosic technique, passionate playing, and deep understanding of flamenco music.
Alvarez was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and began his musical studies at a young age. He studied classical percussion in the movement of youth symphony orchestras, such as “Simón Bolívar.” At the same time, he studied Afro-Venezuelan percussion in the workshops of popular culture of the “Fundación Bigott.”
In 1996, Alvarez moved to Spain, where he continued his studies of flamenco percussion. He quickly established himself as a leading cajón player, and he began working with some of the biggest names in flamenco, including Antonio Canales, Sara Baras, Joaquín Cortés, Suroma, Losadas, Juan Andrés Maya, Rafaela Carrasco, La Tati, Alejandro Granados, Antonio Reyes, Manuel Reyes, Belén Fernández, Alfonso Losa, and Rafael Estévez.
In 2002, Alvarez founded the company “Pasión Flamenca,” which he directed and composed for. He also served as a professor at the superior flamenco school in Caracas, directed by Daniela Tugues.
In 2010, Alvarez was awarded a Latin Grammy Award for Best Rock Album of the Year for his work on La Vida Boheme’s album “Sera“, and has more than 12 other Latin Grammy nominations to his credit. He has also released several solo albums, including “Cajón: El Camino” and “Cajón: El Camino II.”
Alvarez is one of the most talented and respected flamenco percussionists in the world. Known for his innovative fusions of flamenco with other genres, his performance at the Chateau Flamenco Festival is a celebration of the diversity and fusion of flamenco music.
Ticketing & Contact Information
Jefferson Performing Arts Center
6400 Airline Dr.
Metairie, LA 70003
Directions and Parking
Email: lapepaneworleans@gmail.com
Our Sponsors
The 2nd Annual New Orleans Chateau Flamenco Festival is sponsored by
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.
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.
Music, Culture, and Second Lines in New Orleans
Bulbancha: New Orleans in the Prism of Jacobo Rivero is a book about the music, street, and resistance of New Orleans. It is not a jazz book in the strict sense of the word, but it is a book in which there is a lot of jazz, as well as blues, rock, R&B, and flamenco.
The book is divided into fourteen stories in documentary format, each of which is independent but builds on the others to create a portrait of a unique and wonderful city. The stories cover a wide range of topics, from second lines and jazz funerals to the Black Lives Matter movement and the flamenco tablao of La Pepa.
The author, Jacobo Rivero, traveled to New Orleans to get to know its inhabitants up close. He was impressed by the strength of the community and the power of music as a force for social change. He found a city that is unique in the world, where many different musics coexist and where there is a constant search for new sounds.
If you are interested in learning more about the music, culture, and history of New Orleans, we highly recommend reading Bulbancha. It is a well-written and informative book that will give you a deeper understanding of this fascinating city.
