
Holiday Flamenco 2025 Holiday in Santa Fe
This joyful concert blends the fire of flamenco with the warmth of holiday traditions

This joyful concert blends the fire of flamenco with the warmth of holiday traditions

Teatro Paraguas presents
Flamenco Paraguas 2025/2026
Winter Tablao Flamenco
Fridays
12/12/2025
1/16/2026
2/6/2025
2/13/2025
2/20/2025
2/27/2025

Every Thursday 6:30pm~8:30pm
72 W. Marcy Street
Santa Fe, NM 87501 | View on Google Maps
http://www.labocasantafe.com/
505-988-3433
"Chuscales"
This was the name given to Jose Valle Fajardo by his Grandfather. Since then, the name Chusco has come to describe a guitarist of consummate skill and a profound understanding of the Flamenco traditions.
A native of Antequera, Spain, Chuscales grew up in a traditional gypsy family known for its professional musicians and dancers. His grandmother was among those who lived in the caves of Sacromonte, one of the legendary cradles of flamenco. Chuscales recalls, "there were shows with Gypsies from Granada who grew up in families that lived there. I wish you could see it, the families in the caves and the singing and dancing. There might be seven, eight, maybe nine caves, all with singing and dancing, and there would be more singing and dancing on the streets every day. It was unbelievable. It was a very formative time in my life. It was like a dream. This is where I learned everything — the rhythm, the beat, the guitar. I am still learning from those thousands of nights performing with my family, my father, my Grandfather, and my friends.
Chusco began guitar lessons at age six under the instruction of his uncle Joaquín Fajardo and Maestro Agustinillo, two prominent masters in the region where such greats as Segovia have studied. As a teenager, Chuscales found himself in the company of Paco de Lucía, who often performed in the area and would take time to play with the talented youngster and answer his questions. Meanwhile, he began his performing career as a dancer — an experience that gave him a detailed understanding of flamenco's rhythmic nuances. Chusco elaborates as the accompanying guitarist, "I can understand and follow dancers. I can see where they are going before they take their next step. I know what the dancer is looking for, how much tension is in the music, the right rhythm when to play strong or soft, so if a dancer asks me for something, I know what they ask." Chuscales' affinity for dance is delightfully apparent in his artistry; blending music and movement as he does is no accident. "It's something we learn through life," he says. "Many people don't have my luck to grow up in the caves, learning flamenco in a Gypsy family where the music comes from tradition to tradition, from legend to legend. I thank God I have been around such great musicians all my life.
Whether versed in flamenco traditions or not, audiences find Chuscales' music touching and exotic; his presence is engaging, and his skill as a guitarist is simply astounding. A Chuscales concert is an experience that audiences take with them.
Chuscales performed in many productions including “Memories of Granada” (2024), “Doce Mujeres – 12 Women – The Power of Women “ (2024), “Guitar and Tree” (2024), "Flamenco Passion" (2023), "Chuscales at Tulsa" (2023), "Four Seasons" (2023), "Chuscales & Friends" (Santa Fe, NM 2022), "Festival Flamenco 2021" (Albuquerque, NM 2021), "Lemon & Orange" (Santa Fe, NM 2021)("Tree of Life" (Santa Fe, NM 2020), "Gypsy Moon & Stars" (Santa Fe, 2019), "Tulsa Jazz Festival" (Tulsa, OK 2019), "Monet's Moon" (Santa Fe, NM 2019) "Feria de Abril in Santa Fe" (Santa Fe, NM 2019), "Monet's Moon" (Santa Fe, NM 2018), "Holiday Dream" (2018), "Carmen La Golondrina" (Santa Fe, NM 2018), "The Little Match Girl" (Santa Fe, NM 2017), "Dance with Spirit" (Santa Fe, NM 2017), "Illusions in Arts "Calligraphy & Choreography" (Santa Fe, NM 2017), "Romance de la Luna "(Santa Fe, NM, 2016), "Una Nota de Lorca" (Santa Fe, NM 2021 & 2016), "Gypsy Book" (Santa Fe, NM 2015), "Flamenco Masters at Cleo Parker Robinson Theatre" (Denver, CO 2015), "Houston Spanish & Flamenco Festival 2015" (Houston, TX 2015), "Flamenco X3" (Santa Fe, NM 2015), "Gypsy Passion" (Santa Fe, NM 2014), "Flamenco Fiesta!" (Santa Fe, NM 2014 & 2013), "Forever in My Heart" (Santa Fe, NM 2013 ), "My Gypsy Soul" (Santa Fe, NM 2012), "Chuscales at Old Main, Boulder" (Boulder, CO 2011), "Chuscales y Mina Fajardo con Las Tres Mujeres" (Las Vegas. NM, 2010), "Chuscales Live at MIT" (Boston, MA 2009), Telluride Jazz Festival (Telluride, CO 2008), "Chuscales at Tubac" (Tubac, AZ 2007), "Soul del Arte Tradiciones e Innovaciones" (San Francisco, CA 2005), "Ainadamar, Landscapes and Impression" Santa Fe Opera (Santa Fe, NM 2005), "A Night of Flamenco Magic" Lakewood Cultural Center (Denver, CO 2005), "Santa Fe Jazz and International Music Festival" (Santa Fe, NM 2004 & 2001), The John E. Morlow Guitar Series "Flamenco Night" (Chevy Chase, MD 2004), SJC Multicultural Arts Series "Flamenco" (San Juan Capistrano, CA 2003).
He played the guitar for the prince and Prince of Spain at Santa Fe in 2009. He appeared in films "Camelamos Nauerar" (1976), "The Flamenco Guitar of Jose Valle" (1985), "Gypsy Heart" (1998), "Flamenco Passion & Soul" (1999), "Viaje Al Duende" (2009), "The Spanish Table" (2010) and "El Payo" (2010), "Españoles en el Mundo - Nuevo Mexico" (2013), "CNN Hero – Roger Montoya" (2019).
He received the Dora More Award for outstanding sound design/composition (2010, 2009 & 2007) Isadora Duncan Awards for composition, arrangement, and direction (2011 & 1997).CDs: "Al Alba" (1988), "Formas e Imagenes" (1991), "Forever in My Heart" (1996), "Soul Encounters" (1999), "Midnight in Madrid" (2001), "Best of Narada New Flamenco Guitar" (2003), "El Payo" (2010), "Azafrán" (2018), "A Time of Silence" (2020), "Natural Meditation (2020), "O Holy Night" (2021).

After the tremendous success of Flamenco Paraguas – Summer Flamenco, Santa Fe’s acclaimed flamenco ensemble Compañía Chuscales & Mina Fajardo proudly announces a new winter series: Flamenco Paraguas – Winter Tablao Flamenco Friday 2026 at Teatro Paraguas.
Performances will be held on Friday, December 16, 2025, January 13, 2026, and every Friday in February 2026, offering audiences the intimate, high-energy experience of traditional Andalusian tablao flamenco brought to life by Santa Fe’s beloved flamenco artists. Tablao flamenco is renowned for its passion, spontaneity, and close-up connection between performers and audience. Winter Tablao 2026 brings that fire into the winter season—intense guitar, heartfelt singing, and electrifying dance, all in the intimate setting of Teatro Paraguas.
Artistic Director Mina Fajardo, master guitarist Chuscales , and principle dancer Monze Diaz lead a rotating cast of dancers and musicians, ensuring that each Friday offers a unique and unforgettable performance. “Santa Fe embraced our Summer Flamenco series with such love,” says Fajardo. “We wanted to continue sharing flamenco’s warmth and spirit during the winter months.”
Audiences will enjoy explosive footwork (zapateado),traditional cante jondo (deep song), virtuoso guitar solo, passionate duets & ensemble choreography, and improvisation unique to the tablao tradition. The intimate space of Teatro Paraguas brings the emotion of flamenco just a few feet from the audience—authentic, raw, and alive. Known for blending Spanish flamenco tradition with New Mexico’s artistic soul, Compañía Chuscales & Mina Fajardo has become a treasured part of Santa Fe’s performing arts community.
Performances:
Fridays at 7:00 PM:
December 12, 2025
January 16, 2026
February 6, 2026
February 13, 2026
February 20, 2026
February 27, 2026.
Tickets:
$25 General Admission
$20 for Seniors and Students
Click Here for Tickets!
Reservations (pay at door) may be made by calling 505-424-1601.
Teatro Paraguas is located at: 3205 Calle Marie in Santa Fe.
This project is made possible in part by New Mexico Arts (Dept. of Cultural Affairs), Santa Fe Arts and Culture, and Santa Fe Community Foundation.
Contact: Argos MacCallum TeatroParaguas@gmail.com 505-424-1601

Teatro Paraguas and Compañia Chuscales & Mina Fajardo present
Holiday Flamenco
"Holiday in Santa Fe"
December 19 at 7 pm
December 20 at 2 pm & 7 pm
December 21 at 2 pm
December 27 at 2 pm & 7 pm
December 28 at 2 pm & 7 pm
Santa Fe’s acclaimed flamenco company, Compañía Chuscales & Mina Fajardo, brings holiday spirit to the stage with Holiday Flamenco 2025: Holiday in Santa Fe. This joyful concert blends the fire of flamenco with the warmth of holiday traditions, featuring timeless carols, vibrant dance, and the artistry of Santa Fe’s flamenco community.
Audiences will experience beloved classics reimagined through flamenco, including Silent Night, Carol of the Bells, and selections from Chuscales and Mina Fajardo’s most recent Holiday CDs. The program highlights both the beauty of flamenco’s tradition and the joy of the holiday season, uniting community, culture, and family in one heartfelt performance.
Featured Artists:
Chuscales – Guitarist, Music Director (NM Music Hall of Fame, Isadora Duncan Award recipient)
Mina Fajardo – Artistic Director, dancer, singer, percussionist
Company Dancers:
Monze Díaz · Dani Mouw · Giovanna Chávez · Allison Hoyman · Alandra López · Angelique Cordova · Allana Pratt · Jodi McGinnis · Jazmine Padilla · Alexis Padilla · Zayra Gonzalez
A highlight of the evening will be performances by Mina Fajardo’s flamenco students, each presenting solo and group numbers, showcasing the next generation of flamenco talent in Santa Fe.
Holiday Flamenco 2025: Holiday in Santa Fe promises an unforgettable evening where flamenco passion meets holiday magic — a celebration for families, friends, and the entire community.
Join us this December for a flamenco holiday celebration — Holiday in Santa Fe.
Venue: Teatro Paraguas @ 3205 Calle Marie, Santa Fe, NM
Tickets:
General Admission: $30
Seniors/Students: $25
https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/teatro-paraguas-nm/holiday-flamenco-2025-holiday-in-santa-fe
Website: https://teatroparaguasnm.org
Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/teatro.paraguas
For More Information, Contact: teatroparaguas@gmail.com
505-424-1601

In Caló, the language of the Spanish Gypsies, Chusco means the crunchy end of a loaf of bread. Chuscales, or Chusco for short, refers to a person who is a "guitar-cruncher." José Luis Valle Fajardo, better known as Chuscales, is a guitarist with consummate skill and deep understanding.






Sign up to hear about upcoming shows, albums, and events.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.