Peña La Pepa Presents
Rafael Ramírez: CRÓNICA
de un
SUCESO
4th Annual Chateau Flamenco Festival
Louisiana Premiere | Friday, November 21, 2025 | Jefferson Performing Arts Center
The 4th Annual Chateau Flamenco Festival proudly presents the Louisiana premiere of Rafael Ramírez’s “Chronicle of a Time that Was” (Crónica de un suceso), a bold, contemporary flamenco dance performance with live music that honors the revolutionary vision of Antonio Gades (1936–2004).
This is not a biography, but a journey — an exploration of Gades’s essence, audacity, and stagecraft. Rafael Ramírez, one of Spain’s most acclaimed young dancers, transforms the stage into a living canvas where flamenco crosses into avant-garde territory, proving that Gades’s vision remains as relevant and powerful today as ever.
The show starts at 8PM, doors open at 7PM.
About the Performance
With flamenco at its core, Chronicle of a Time that Was moves through moments of memory, solitude, and celebration. Ramírez’s choreography blends precision footwork, sculptural movement, and emotional depth, accompanied by a live ensemble of world-class artists:
- Rafael Ramírez – Director, Choreographer, Dancer
- Francis Martín – Guitar
- Rosa Linero – Singer
- Fabiola Santiago – Singer
- Cristóbal Sánchez – Percussion
The result is a 75-minute production (no intermission) that is both a tribute to Gades and a daring step forward for flamenco.
Through Ramírez’s choreography, the language of flamenco crosses boundaries into the avant-garde, showing how Gades’ vision still resonates in the 21st century. His presence lingers as an influence — not imitated, but reimagined for today.
Rafael Ramírez, Director, Choreographer, Flamenco Dancer
Rafael Ramírez is one of Spain’s most acclaimed young flamenco dancers, celebrated for his precision, elegance, and emotional depth. Winner of the prestigious Premio Desplante and hailed by the Miami Herald for delivering the Best Dance Performance of 2023, he brings a distinctive voice that bridges flamenco tradition and bold contemporary innovation.
Born in Málaga, Spain, Rafael Ramírez began his professional career at the age of 11. His early rise brought him to major stages across Spain, where his work quickly earned acclaim for imagination, precision, and emotional depth.
Ramírez’s first full-length creation, Entorno, premiered at the Gran Teatro Cervantes de Málaga before moving to the Jerez Flamenco Festival, where it was praised as “unique” and “imaginative.” That same festival honored him with the Premio Revelación (Breakthrough Artist Award). Invitations soon followed from the Flamenco Viene del Sur Festival and the Biennale of Seville, confirming him as one of flamenco’s most original young voices.
His artistry has continued to gather recognition:
Premio Desplante (First Prize) – Festival Internacional del Cante de las Minas, 2021
First Prize – National Flamenco Competition in Ubrique
First Prize – Certamen Andaluz de Jóvenes Flamencos
Outstanding Dancer Award – Certamen de Coreografía y Danza Española y Flamenco, Madrid
In 2023, Ramírez toured the United States with Lo Preciso, presented by Spain Flamenco Arts, with stops in New York, Washington D.C., Seattle, Portland, Sarasota, and Miami. The Miami Herald named it the Best Dance Performance of 2023, cementing his reputation as an artist whose work bridges Spanish tradition and international stages.
He has performed with leading companies including Antonia Andrade, Carmen Mota, David Coria, Rafaela Carrasco, and María Pagés, and is also a featured artist in Spain’s most respected tablaos, including Madrid’s iconic El Corral de la Morería.
In 2025, Ramírez returns to the U.S. with Crónica de un suceso (Chronicle of a Time that Was), a bold tribute to legendary dancer Antonio Gades. Through his work, Rafael Ramírez continues to redefine flamenco with elegance, innovation, and an unmistakable personal seal.
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.
Why You Won't Want to Miss it
- A rare U.S. performance by one of Spain’s most acclaimed young flamenco dancers.
- Witness a daring tribute to Antonio Gades, one of flamenco’s most influential figures.
- A production that bridges flamenco tradition with avant-garde innovation.
Don’t miss the final performance of the 4th Annual Chateau Flamenco Festival on November 21, 2025.