The exotic, passionate music and dance that is flamenco takes center stage when El Paso’s Sangre Gitana opens the ninth El Paso Community Foundation Jewel Box Series at the Philanthropy Theatre. The four musicians and three dancers who make up Sangre Gitana open the Jewel Box Series at 2:30 pm Sunday, October 13 in the Philanthropy Theatre, on the second floor of the Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Centre.
General admission tickets are $15, on sale at the Plaza Theatre Box Office (no service fees) and Ticketmaster (with service fees).
Note: The venue allows only clear bags or small clutches, and no longer accepts cash.
Sangre Gitana started in a youth program in 1997 when a group of high school friends captivated by the enchanting sounds of rumba flamenca first came together. Rumba flamenca is a style of flamenco developed in the 19th century in Andalusia, Spain, that incorporates Cuban music elements.
The band went by different names until 2000, when Gipsy Kings singer Nicholas Reyes suggested they call themselves Sangre Gitana, Spanish for “Gypsy blood.” Now a fixture in El Paso and Ciudad Juárez, the group consists of lead guitarist/vocalist Francisco Hernandez, guitarist Hugo Gonzalez, bassist Antonio Dominquez, percussionist Rick Hernandez, and dancers Carla Briones, Gloria Espinosa, and Jazmin Rivera.
The Jewel Box Series was created in partnership with El Paso Live in 2014 to host local performing artists and groups in that jewel box of a venue, the Philanthropy Theatre in the Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Centre.
Sangre Gitana/ Sangre Gitana- 2:30 pm October 13, 2024 The colorful El Paso group blends fiery rhythms with passionate flamenco dance.
This Murder Was Staged/ Star on the Mountain Theatrical Productions- 2:30 pm November 10, 2024 An interactive murder mystery in which everyone, including the audience, is a suspect.
Pianist — Daniel Villasenor/ Daniel Villasenor- 2:30 pm December 8, 2024 The Frontera Bugalú keyboardist goes solo with original music inspired by dreams.
Piano Ma’am Sing-Along/ Alissa Musto- 2:30 pm January 12, 2025 Request your favorite songs and sing along with this former Miss America finalist.
Stop Kiss/ Star on the Mountain Theatrical Productions- 2:30 pm February 9, 2025 Diana Son’s topical drama about the consequences of a first kiss.
Peter and the Starcatcher/ SOMOS Performance Group- 2:30 pm March 9, 2025 The Tony Award-winning play tells the backstory of Peter Pan, Tinker Bell and Hook.
Requiem for Rosa Elena’s Dream/ Félix Arenas- 2:30 pm April 13, 2025 A new, original play about how life takes its toll on Rosa Elena’s family in El Paso.
The Mad Flower/ Mad Flower Productions- 2:30 pm May 11, 2025 Three women meet in a dance class and learn about love, loss, and life.
