The artist’s first solo exhibition in Ireland will be held in the beautiful space of the Dame Street Gallery which is located at 36 Dame Street,  Dublin 2 (opposite the Central Bank).

A catalogue (with a preface by Irish Times journalist Cathy Dillon) will be available two weeks prior to the exhibition.

For more information, see Olliart.

What a weekend it’s been for Sólo Flamenco. We had a great two-day rehearsal with our mentor Felipe de Algeciras, and were invited by the García Flamenco School to join their first juerga taking place in the Polo Club in The Phoenix Park, Dublin.

The evening was organised by the school’s founder Paco Arrastro to celebrate the visit to Dublin of his good friend, the wonderful Salvador Andrades. The show opened with performances by Paco’s students. Then Salvador took to the stage and mesmerized everyone with his beautiful playing. The music continued for another half hour or so and then we stopped for food. Which reminds me, many thanks to Mary and The Polo Club for looking after us for the evening.

While we were eating, the carpet was rolled back to reveal a beautiful wooden floor, ideal for Flamenco footwork. Sólo Flamenco opened the second part of the evening with an impromptu performance of Felipe’s Tango de Málaga. Perhaps it was the fact Felipe himself supported us with palmas and jaleos, but we never felt so good performing and it showed in the audience reaction. The crowd cheered at every moment.

With the crowd now warm, Felipe took to the stage accompanied by his long time friend and collaborator Salvador and danced the house down with an improvised Bulerí­a that seemed to just grow and grow with every compás. When they finally finished, the crowd was wild and begging for more and local Flamenco teacher Jenny treated us to a lively Rumba. The band then started to play Sevillanas and Felipe danced in turn with Nathalie, Dominika, Jenny and Carina.

The dancing drew to a close at this point, the carpet was restored and Paco, Salvador and the other musicians treated us to an entertaining mix of Flamenco and Spanish tunes. But enough talk. Visit our galleries page to see some great pictures from the evening.

Paco, many thanks for organising such a great evening. We’re looking forward to the next one…