Hamilton Arts Festival 2026: Flamencodanza crowd demands encore

The audience loved Flamencodanza so much that when the duo took their final bow, the applause would not stop. Photo / Abby Dalgety

Flamencodanza

Presented at Hamilton Arts Festival Toi ora ki Kirikiriroa

When: March 1

Where: Medici Court at Hamilton Gardens

Reviewed by Abby Dalgety

Flamencodanza is an award-winning touring performance by Aylin Bayaz and Raul Mannola, blending traditional flamenco with Brazilian music and contemporary dance elements.

The show in Hamilton began after a brief but heavy 10-minute downpour of rain.

A huge shout-out to the Hamilton Arts Festival crew, who quickly mopped the stage and even offered towels so audience members could dry their seats.

This sold-out crowd was relieved when the sun appeared right on cue at 6.01pm, just in time for the performance to begin.

After the first song, Raul had to remove his jacket, classic Hamilton weather: rain one minute, scorching sunshine the next.

Raul’s guitar playing stayed rooted in traditional flamenco style, while allowing his own flair and personality to shine through.

Flamencodanza is an award-winning performance by Aylin Bayaz and Raul Mannola. Photo / Abby Dalgety

For me, the standout was Aylin’s footwork.

It became a drumbeat to Raul’s guitar, perfectly timed and executed with breathtaking precision.

Her fiery stamping drew inspiration from ballet and contemporary dance, adding a fresh, modern edge to the performance.

The sharpness of her clapping and tapping was truly world-class.

The audience loved Flamencodanza so much that when the duo took its final bow, the applause would not stop, and we were rewarded with an encore.

If you enjoy classic flamenco or contemporary dance, this show is for you.

Abby Dalgety is a tutor at the School of Media Arts at Wintec in Hamilton. She has been writing reviews for the Waikato Herald since 2023.