After a successful year of touring around Europe and Spain the long awaited Flamenco event of the summer finally reaches the shores of the Grand harbour. Francesca Grima and Andrej Vujicic, the producers of Puerto Flamenco are back on the island with the Maltese premiere of their internationally acclaimed spectacle from the heart of Seville.

Fresh from unanimously winning the best performance at Prague’s high profile Khamoro international festival of gypsy music, the artistic couple are busy organising their most ambitious production ever, bringing five of the finest flamenco artists to Malta, featuring the special guest star Carmelilla Montoya, one of the undisputed legends and reference points of flamenco dance. She is a gypsy dancer of unique style and temperament, renowned for her melodious, clean, lightening-speed footwork, and deep understanding of cante, and extraordinary way of transmitting the energy and emotion so particular to flamenco.

The winner of the Premio Nacional de Baile Flamenco (National Award for Flamenco Dance) and world famous for her appearances with Camaron, Paco De Lucia, Familia Montoya, Antonio Canales, Lole y Manuel, and the Farruco family, Carmelilla has lately participated in two critically acclaimed flamenco mega-productions Los Tarantos (music by Tomatito) in Barcelona and Madrid, and the still running Gitanas directed by Faruquito. After her performance in Malta, she is flying to France to perform in Gitanas alongside La Faruca, at the festival Monmarsant.

Carmelilla will be joined by the unique talents of gypsy dancer Amador Rojas, who last year enthralled the Maltese audience with his head-spinning performance, and Malta’s own Francesca Grima, who has been performing for five months at Spain’s top Tablao, El Arenal as well as reaping international acclaim in Puerto Flamenco’s absolute sell out performances at the Spancir Fest Croatia, Belgrade’s Festival of Dom Omladine , Khamoro Festival in Prague, Sziget Festival Budapest, and Endanza, in Seville. The group is enhanced by award-winning singers Quisko De Alcala and Jose “El Tremendo”, and exceptional team of gypsy guitarist Joselito Acedo and percussionist Andrej Vujicic.

The open-air event which is supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, The Spanish Embassy, Torres Wines and the Valletta Local Council will be taking place on Saturday 1 July and Sunday 2 July at 8.30pm at Customs House Quay, a beautiful setting in the Grand Harbour. Tickets Lm7 from St. James Cavalier or at the door.