Contributed article
SAFFORD — Gila Valley Arts Council is proud to present Jacome Flamenco, September 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. at the David M. Player Center for the Arts. The evening performance will include 3 dancers along with the incredible music of Chris Jacome’s Flamenco on guitar.
Internationally acclaimed touring company, Jácome Flamenco was formed in 2003 by Chris B. Jácome, Artistic Director & Composer. The company has held concerts in many sold-out theatres from performing to over 6,000 audience members at the Redlands Bowl in California to presenting at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City. International performances include Mexico, Canada, Spain and Indonesia.
Jácome Flamenco was an invited guest artist to perform for the Ibero-American Association in Jakarta, Indonesia. The company has provided instruction and performances for numerous schools, colleges and dance/music institutions from the Dance Network of South Dakota Conference to creating an extended long term multi-residency dance curriculum for the Baton Rouge, Louisiana dance community.
The company returns frequently to Spain to teach, study and provide immersion programs for dancers & musicians. Jácome Flamenco embodies the true essence of what flamenco is and continues to captivate audiences world-wide.
The unbridled energy, inspiration and excitement of Jácome Flamenco’s singers, dancers and musicians take audiences on a whirlwind journey of Andalucía. You feel the rhythm, hear the song, smell the wine and see the beauty of a distant culture encouraging you to join in. The art of flamenco explodes onstage and audience shouts of “Olé!” become part of the experience, part of the passion of flamenco.
Jácome Flamenco ¡Baile! is a show that engages young and old alike, featuring three solo dancers showcasing their signature flamenco dance styles. Accompanied by Chris B. Jácome’s exquisite Spanish Guitar stylings, this One Night Only Concert will mesmerize and transport you to Spain. The unbridled energy, inspiration, and excitement of Jácome Flamenco’s dancers, along with the melodic phrasing of the flamenco guitar, takes audiences on a whirlwind journey of Andalucía. You’ll feel the rhythm, hear the song, smell the wine, and see the beauty of a distant culture, encouraging you to join in. The art of flamenco explodes onstage, and audience shouts of “Olé!” become part of the experience, part of the passion of flamenco.
Chris B. Jácome, Artistic Director, touring international flamenco guitar virtuoso and composer, has played to many sold-out solo performances and has worked alongside great artists such as Compania de Maria Jesus (Sevilla, Spain) and as the musical director of Calo Flamenco. Chris has been an invited guest artist of the prestigious La Guitarra California Festival multiple times performing alongside such top classical guitarists as Pepe Romero, Ana Vidovic and Roland Dyens. He has presented his productions at such venues as Jazz at Lincoln Center and New York City Center.
Lena Jácome is an internationally touring flamenco dancer, choreographer and instructor with Jácome Flamenco. She performed as, and choreographed for the role of ‘Flamenco Dancer’, in Teatro Bravo!’s presentation of ‘Lorca in a Green Dress‘. She was an invited guest artist to perform for the Ibero-American Association in Jakarta, Indonesia and she was an invited guest performer & instructor for the Dance Network of South Dakota. Some performance highlights include Jazz at Lincoln Center, New York City Center and she guest performed in the World Premiere of the Pangean Orchestra at Symphony Hall. She performed and choreographed for the first symphonic work to include flamenco dance entitled, ‘Impulso’, composed by Chris Jácome and Henry Flurry. This work was premiered in St. Louis, Missouri with The University City Symphony Orchestra.
She has assisted in the creation of an extended long term multi-residency dance curriculum for the Baton Rouge, Louisiana dance community and she has set work on various groups ranging in age and in various facets of programming; from University settings to private dance studios and everything else in between.
Lena attained her B.F.A. Degree in Dance Performance at New World School of the Arts in Miami, FL and earned her M.F.A. Degree in Choreography and Performance at Arizona State University. She is currently a Roster Artist through the Arizona Commission on the Arts and was awarded professional study grants through the National Endowment for the Arts to study in Spain multiple times from such artists as Juana Amaya, Concha Vargas, La Faraona and Saray Montoya. She toured with Calo Flamenco under the direction of Martín Gaxiola and worked with Noche Flamenca & with guest choreographers such as Isabel Bayón and Juan Ogalla during their extended summer residency program at Scottsdale Center for the Arts.
Lena returns frequently to Spain to teach, perform, study and provide immersion programs for dancers & musicians. She published, ‘Flamenco! ‘ a flamenco photography book showcasing Sergio Photography’s images, based on Jácome Flamenco .
Gila Valley Arts Council offers their concerts at family friendly prices as children and students who can get in for only $5, even in Premier seats that adults pay $20 for. Tickets are currently on sale at Richards Music, 928-428-2442, online at www.gvac.org or at the door. All tickets are reserved seating.
GVAC is very grateful to all of their supporting Members who purchase season ticket to our evening shows every year. This school residency and public performance project was made possible by funding received from the Arizona Commission on the Arts, Creative West, and the National Endowment for the Arts. GVAC is also grateful for the support received from the United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties, Freeport McMoRan Corporation and the Arizona Community Foundation of the Gila Valley. This is the first concert presented by GVAC during the 2026-2027 school year. This performance will be followed by Folk Legacy Trio, November 4, 2026 and Frisson String and Wind Ensemble, February 3, 2027 ending with Spanish Brass on March 3, 2027. Visit gvac.org and follow them on Facebook for more information.
