Tango–Guitar–Flamenco Week: Workshop, ABC of flamenco dance: Mario Ruiz

Tango–Guitar–Flamenco Week: Workshop, ABC of flamenco dance: Mario Ruiz

Flamenco is an art form that has its roots deep in Andalusian soil, but is now found all over the world. In its purest form, traditional flamenco consists of song, guitar and dance, where the performers "talk" to each other in an organic and intuitive way, sharing a common compás – rhythm or swing – and palo, the flamenco genre.

During the workshop, you will get to know the basics of flamenco dance under the guidance of Mario Ruiz.

Language of instruction - English/Spanish/music. If necessary, the lesson will be translated into Finnish.

Register in advance using the registration form.

Teacher Mario Ruiz

Mario Ruiz belongs to a new, cross-border generation of flamenco artists. Born in Mexico, Ruiz started dancing at the age of five and has since deepened his studies in Spain under the guidance of the main masters of flamenco. His dance combines the physical strength of youth, polished technique and strong stage presence. In 2024, Ruiz won first prize at the Manolo Soler flamenco dance competition in Seville and received an Acciona scholarship to study at Fundación Cristina Heeren.

Mario Ruiz & Co's flamenco concert Carta a mi madre (Letter to my mother) will have its world premiere in Tampere on Saturday 19 September. at 7 p.m. in Pyynikkisali. The central figure of the work is the young Mexican dancer Mario Ruiz, around whom the guitar and vocal ensemble based in Seville is built: Eloy Cito Gonzales, Silvia Reina and Antonio Hurtado. Together, they raise an emotional narrative to the core of flamenco, where footwork, silence, melody and the bare power of the voice tell what words alone are not enough.

The event is part of the Tango–Guitar–Flamenco Week program. The Tampere Tango Festival, the Tampere Guitar Festival and the Tampere Flamenco Week together form the Tango—Guitar—Flamenco week, which takes place from 11 to 20 September 2026.