Can you tell your golpe from your planta? Neither could this DCist until she joined 30 other would-be dancers onstage at George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium for a class with flamenco expert Sara Jerez-Marlow last night.

The class kicked off the DC Flamenco Festival, which runs through February 17 at the same venue. Here’s a rundown on the event’s highlights:

This Saturday, Nuevo Ballet Español will perform Flamenco Directo, which combines traditional styles with contemporary dance. If your love of Spanish culture resides mainly in your stomach, there’s a Spanish cheese & ham tasting at 7 p.m. beforehand.

On Wednesday, Feb. 8. Vincente Amigo, a flamenco guitar player, gives a concert at 8 p.m. Again, Spanish cheese & ham before the performance; hmm, can you tell the event’s sponsored by Jaleo?

On Feb. 11, Ballet Flamenco de Andalucia will perform for the first time in the District, with the show Viaje al Sur / Journey to the South. The company hails from the region in which flamenco originated, so they should know their stuff.

The event closes in style Feb. 17, with Flamenco Gala 2006: Gala de Andalucia, with featured performers such as Manolo Marin, Merche Esmerelda, Rafael Campallo and Javier Baron. With a bunch of superstars who rarely share the stage all appearing together on one night, it sounds like the bargain of the festival. Chef Jose Andres will conduct a booksigning and tapas tasting beforehand.

The names may not be familiar to those who don't follow the flamenco scene, but if the few minutes when our teacher showed us her own moves last night are any indication, attendees are in for a few nights of graceful, dramatic and passionate dancing. Tickets for the events range from $25-60, and more information can be found on the Lisner web site.