‘Fiesta in the Grove’ gala benefit, a high-spirited flamenco event in Santa Barbara! * July 13

Sunday, July 13, 2025 * 4-7:00 pm
4:00pm (No Host) Cocktails Hour & Latin-themed Buffet Dinner; 5:30pm Show
Godric Grove Ampitheater, Elings Park
1298 Las Positas Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93105

Join us for the Zermeño Flamenco Foundation for their 9th Annual fundraiser student showcase celebration ‘Fiesta in the Grove’ on Sunday, July 13th for dinner & cocktails, music and joyous student performances to benefit the Foundation’s ‘Live Music Program.’*

Passionate, dramatic and highly entertaining Zermeño Flamenco Foundation celebrates another inspirational year of dance with their infectious kick-off student showcase and fundraiser ‘Fiesta in the Grove’! This superb evening features two hours of incredible music, sensational dancing, along with a delicious Latin-themed buffet dinner and (no host) cocktails all at the stunning outdoor amphitheater location at Godric Grove, Elings Park with a backdrop of the beautiful Santa Barbara mountains.

The Zermeño Dance Academy’s approach to Flamenco honors the tradition and culture while underscoring the deep emotion this dance form expresses. This heartfelt balance is demonstrated through their student’s year-long studies and presented in explosive solo, duet and group performances. Much care had gone into the arrangement of the well-balanced repertoire for the evening, and the costumes are first class – colorful and well made. We also look forward to an impassioned duet from the exceptionally talented brother-sister team of Ryan Zermeño and Studio Director, Daniela Zermeño-Sanchez.

According to Artistic Director, Founder and Owner, Daniela Zermeño Sanchez, “having professional musicians is extremely important to our students’ professional performance development”. Zermeño hires musicians from both the local and national Flamenco realms to offer the best possible support and experience for her students. The $15,000+ expense is huge for a company that generously performs throughout the year for free. The cost is shared by the 30 families whose children perform with the musicians here at ‘Fiesta in the Grove’ and later in the month for Santa Barbara’s signature week-long celebration ‘Old Spanish Days’ beginning July 30 – August 3, 2025.

Each ‘Fiesta in the Grove’ year shares a special place in her heart. There is such great reward seeing people’s reactions to the performances in this celebratory gathering with friends, family and the community. The same goes for her students, for them “getting onstage in front of people and supported with live music is everything.”

The magnetic field connecting all this year is headlined by the outstanding musicianship from guitar, cajon, palmas/hand clapping and invigorating cante. Together, it is sure to be a whopping gala of high-spirited flamenco! This year we welcome Barcelona-born gypsy cantaor José ‘Cachito’ Diaz; Diego Alvarez Muñoz, percussion; Jose Tanaka, guitar; Ryan Zermeño and Daniela Zermeño, palmas.

*Proceeds to benefit the “Live Music Program” allows our students the opportunity to work and perform with renown flamenco musicians.

Purchase early as this is a popular event will sell out!
https://fiestainthegrove2025.eventbrite.com