Sun, Aug 02
|Kimball Arts Center
Community in Compás - Summer Fuego
Rooted in tradition and ignited by collaboration, Summer Fuego captures the raw spirit of flamenco through riveting live music, fierce footwork, soulful guitar, and unforgettable expression.
Time & Location
Aug 02, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Kimball Arts Center, 1757 N Kimball Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, USA
Event Info
Join us for an unforgettable evening of flamenco as part of our Community in Compás series: Summer Fuego – Flamenco Tablao Performance on Sunday, August 2nd at 6:00 PM. Continuing our celebration of Chicago artists within the flamenco community, this electrifying summer edition brings together powerful local talent for an intimate, high-energy tablao experience bursting with passion and artistry.
Rooted in tradition and ignited by collaboration, Summer Fuego captures the raw spirit of flamenco through riveting live music, fierce footwork, soulful guitar, and unforgettable expression. Set in the intimate atmosphere of the tablao, audiences will experience the energy, emotion, and spontaneity that make flamenco so deeply moving.
This is more than a performance—it is a celebration of culture, connection, and the evolving voice of flamenco in Chicago. Join us for a night where compás, community, and summer heat collide in an explosive celebration of rhythm and soul.
BIO: Nalanie Molina (La Molinera)
Nalanie began her studies in Spanish dance in 2011 through Ensemble Español, where she trained for over a decade in flamenco, classical, and folkloric styles alongside company faculty and visiting artists from Spain. She is currently an active company member with Ensemble Español, continuing her artistic growth under the direction of Irma Suárez Ruiz and José Torres while deepening her connection to Spanish dance traditions.
A dedicated lifelong student of flamenco, Nalanie has trained with internationally acclaimed artists including Águeda Saavedra, Isaac Tovar, La Lupi, Niño de los Reyes, Carmela Greco, Carlos Rodríguez, José Barrios, as well as respected artists such as Tamara López and Úrsula López. She has also expanded her training through Casa Triana under the direction of Claudia Pizarro and Javier Saume. In 2025, she was honored as a Certamen Scholarship Winner, supporting her continued artistic growth and studies in flamenco.
In recent years, Nalanie has embraced the raw power and intimacy of flamenco tablao, where improvisation, connection, and emotional honesty take center stage. Her choreography remains deeply rooted in tradition while creating space for her own artistic voice to emerge. As an educator and emerging creative director, she is passionate about nurturing young dancers throughout Chicago while continuing to expand her artistic brand, La Molinera—a project centered on community, collaboration, and the evolving voice of flamenco.
Through performances, classes, and community events, Nalanie is dedicated to giving audiences an authentic and unforgettable experience of flamenco—one that honors its cultural roots while creating meaningful connection through music, movement, and emotion. She shares flamenco with corazón, respect, and care.
For Nalanie, flamenco is more than an art form—it is a vessel for healing, community, and self-expression.
BIO: Luis Beltrán Ureña (Botas Negraz)
Luis Beltrán Ureña / BotasNegraz is a flamenco dancer from Chicago with over 20 years of experience. His journey began in 2003 when Ensemble Español visited his school, sparking a deep and lasting connection to flamenco. He trained under renowned artists such as Libby Komaiko, Irma Suárez Ruiz, José Barrios, La Lupi, Paloma Gómez, Raquel Gómez, and Antonio Najarro.
Throughout his career, Luis has performed at acclaimed venues including New York City Center, Millennium Park, and Harris Theater. His performance style blends strength, musicality, and emotional depth, bringing both traditional and contemporary flamenco to life on stage.
Today, Luis continues to perform throughout Chicago at cultural centers, community events, the Chicago Botanic Garden, and Spanish tapas venues, helping expand the presence of flamenco across the city. Beyond performance, he is deeply committed to mentoring youth and cultivating flamenco within Chicago’s Northwest Side communities, inspiring the next generation of artists through education, culture, and connection.
In 2025, Luis was recognized as a winner of the Flamenco Certamen with Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana, a milestone that further highlights his dedication and artistry within the flamenco community.