Olympia hosts world-class and local flamenco performances

Olympia’s flamenco scene is hot, hot, hot these days.

Next week, the world-renowned group Casa Patas Flamenco returns to the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. Meanwhile, a new flamenco night has kicked off at La Gitana Pizzeria on the third Saturdays of the month.

Casa Patas hails from Madrid, and performs traditional Spanish flamenco with lead dancer Karen Lugo. Its Northwest tour, which also includes three nights at Seattle’s Benaroya Hall, is sponsored by the Honorary Consulate of Spain in Seattle. The performance is at 8 p.m. Monday. Tickets are $16-$32. Call 360-753-8586 or go to washingtoncenter.org to get tickets.

The free monthly flamenco nights, organized by the Ianus Foundation, feature local performers from South Sound, including as Marisela Fleites Lear. Audiences also are encouraged to participate. The downtown pizzeria is at 518 Capitol Way S. Call 360-753-2929 to get details.