Flamenco in the Garden

Join us for an unforgettable evening of music and dance at Flamenco in the Garden, a lively concert event set amidst the enchanting ambiance of Tohono Chul’s lush Performance Garden.

Blending tradition with modern flair, this special Flamenco performance will transport you to the streets of Spain with its stunning costumes, expressive movements, energetic footwork, captivating guitar rhythms, and moving vocals.

Get your tickets today at the link below and prepare to be swept away by the passion and energy of Flamenco in the Garden at Tohono Chul!

Misael Barraza-Diaz
Flamenco Guitarist

Originally from Mexico, Misael Barraza-Diaz began playing flamenco guitar as a self-taught musician around the age of fifteen. His hunger and devotion towards the Andalucian artform eventually led him to study in Spain with world-renowned flamenco guitarist Oscar Herrero, who was instrumental in guiding Misael to become the artist he is today.

In 2010, Misael was awarded first prize at the Concurso Nacional de Flamenco in Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA), at the prestigious Festival de Flamenco. Since then, the artist has become one of the top flamenco guitarists in the United States, and is sought after for his skills as a soloist and as an accompanist. He regularly performs with the top flamenco companies in his area: Flamenco del Pueblo Viejo, Flamenco Por la Vida, Julia Chacon Flamenco Theatre, Phoenix World Arts Collective, and Yumi la Rosa Flamenco. Misael is currently involved in the recording and production of multiple discographic projects, but recently released his album “El Camino Forjado”.

For more on the artist visit misaelflamenco.com

Martin Gaxiola
Flamenco Dancer

Martin Gaxiola is the artistic director and founder of his own flamenco music and dance ensemble, CALO FLAMENCO, based in Phoenix, AZ. Martín began studying dance in 1992 and since then has studied flamenco extensively in Spain (Sevilla and Madrid) with such renowned artists as Antonio Granjero, Immaculada Ortega, Juana Amaya, Manolo Marín, and in the U.S. with Dini Roman. He gained professional experience performing with such dance companies as Maria Benitez Teatro Flamenco (NM), Flamenco Ole! (PA), Flamenco Y Más (AZ) and can be seen in two different PBS television specials: “Flamenco”, and “Flamenco: The Passion of Flamenco Dance”.

Martín has shared his flamenco artistry in dance classes and lecture demonstrations to children, students, and adults across the U.S. and abroad. As a choreographer, he created several original works and full theatrical presentations for various dance companies and solo artists in the U.S. 

Angelina Ramirez
Flamenco Movement Artist

Angelina Ramirez is a flamenco movement artist and teaching artist living in Tucson, Arizona. Ramirez’s artistic work explores what it means to be a queer, Latinx flamenca, practicing in a traditional Roma/gitano form of dance. As a teaching artist, she is interested in the intersections of arts and healing, focusing on work with elders of all abilities and integrated flamenco with autistic individuals.

Ramirez is devoted to promoting accessibility and eradicating ableism, racism, and bigotry by practicing and promoting dialogue, acceptance, and community participation. In 2021 Ramirez received the Master-Apprentice Artist Award through Southwest Folklife Alliance for her dedication and commitment to Flamenco arts. She is a National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures fellow. In 2018 she received the Arizona Commission on the Arts’ Artist Research and Development Grant to support the development of her evening-length work /SER/.

Ramirez is an original member of Yjastros, the American Flamenco Repertory Company, and has toured with world-renowned, New York-based company Noche Flamenca. Along with teaching and performing Ramirez produces events and festivals and is currently the curator for the Traditional and Ethnic Dance Festival with the Southwest Folklife Alliance.

Jason Martinez
Cajón Player

Jason Martinez is a flamenco dancer and cajón player. He was introduced to the art form at the University of New Mexico, with instructors Eva Encinias-Sandoval and Pablo Rodarte. He has traveled to Sevilla, Spain, and studied extensively at the National Institute of Flamenco under Joaquin Encinias and Omayra Amaya and with celebrated artists at Festival Flamenco Internacional.

Martinez was an original member of Yjastros, the American Flamenco Repertory Company in Albuquerque under the direction of Joaquin Encinias, and performed with the company in nine concert seasons. He has toured nationally as a soloist and now teaches and performs in Tucson. Jason was the recipient of a 2018 SFA Master-Apprentice Award, given annually to master artists working to pass on traditional art forms to apprentices.  
 

Olivia Rojas
Flamenco Singer

Olivia Rojas of Phoenix-based Flamenco Por La Vida began her professional career singing choral and Mexican rancheras. She was drawn to the passion of flamenco cante eighteen years ago and has since toured throughout the United States with Calo Flamenco and CBJ Flamenco Ensemble.

She has worked with various Flamenco Companies throughout the U.S. and has performed at the prestigious Tablao Flamenco Albuquerque pre-shows during the Albuquerque Flamenco Festivals. Olivia performs regularly at Crescent Ballroom and Tapas Papa Frita

Max Perrault
Flamenco Flautist

Max Perrault has gained a reputation for his emotive style of playing. With years of experience performing flamenco music, Max has graced the stages of large concert venues alongside internationally recognized dancers. His performances are often improvisational, making each one unique. He is a formative member of Mosaico Flamenco, with whom he recorded three albums and collaborated with international flamenco dancers and musicians performing at Scottsdale’s Hyatt Gainey Ranch.

Perrault brings an expressive improvisational style that is a natural fit for flamenco, which he discovered in 1994 working with Spanish dancer, Lydia Torea in Phoenix, Arizona. He is currently working on a recording project, and he has performed with Flamenco Theatre since 2014. Max continues to collaborate with recording artists and musicians, sharing his passion for the art of flamenco with audiences around the world.