Flamenco Arts Festival presents Opening Night Concert: Andres Vadin Project

While we often think of flamenco in dance terms, it cannot exist without its heartbeat: the music. What better way to kick off this year’s festival than by celebrating this life force of flamenco!

After enjoying the Opening Night Reception, prepare to be thrilled by the Santa Barbara debut of the Andres Vadin Project. The music concert features Los Angeles based composer and guitarist Andres Vadin, Manuel Gutiérrez (vocals, dance), Yosmel Montejo (bass), Ioannis Goudelis (piano, accordion), and Diego Álvarez (percussion).   Andres Vadin’s talent spans many different genres while highlighting the flamenco guitar as a universal instrument with no boundaries — a breathtaking fusion of traditional and contemporary interpretations, often infused with Cuban, Arabic, and jazz influences.

Vadin has played for some of the most talented flamenco artists known today, including Maria Juncal, Antonio Carmona, and José Antonio Rodriguez. He has also collaborated on Latin Grammy-nominated albums twice — in 2005 with Aceituna sin Hueso on the album Cuba Le Canta A Serrat and in 2017 with Oskar Cartaya on the album Bajo Mundo.  He has toured throughout the world performing with Concha Buika, Faramarz Aslani, Wadih Al Safi, Billy Cobhan, and in festivals such as WOMAD, Glastonbury, Montreal International Jazz Music Festival, and rock legend Steve Vai’s Big Mama Jama Jam-a-thon. Vadin’s work also includes movie soundtracks for Whale of the Tale and Bel Canto.

Opening Night Reception / 6:00 pm: Join us on the Lobero Esplanade for what is guaranteed to be our most exciting opening night reception yet.  Mingle with flamenco aficionados under the lights as you get ready to experience flamenco’s biggest stars from Spain and the U.S. This official kick-off of our 20th year will begin with dancing Sevillanas and wine tasting courtesy of Santa Barbara Winery.  Free to ticket holders of the Opening Night Concert.