Craving a little more castanet action in your life? The D.C. Flamenco Festival may be able to fill that void for you.

Flamenco totally gets the shaft when it comes to media attention, compared to other forms of dance. Antonio Banderas makes cheesily scripted movies about tango and ballroom, and even performs the former in his Zorro films. Half our readership has probably been dragged to a swing dancing night at some point in their lives. And it seems like everything's getting the ballet treatment these days: even Edward Scissorhands.

But D.C. does get one week to celebrate this underrated, passionate dance form, and it's just about upon us. Tonight's kick-off event, where flamenco dancing professionals offer a dance class to willing participants (including this DCist last year) is, unfortunately, sold out, but there is plenty more flamenco action going on this weekend.

Tomorrow, be seranaded by renowned guitarist Paco de Lucia. Next Tuesday is the show's gala performance, featuring dancers Juaquin Grilo and Isabel Bayon, as well as four other "rising stars" of flamenco. Dancer Sara Baras will lead the D.C. premiere of "Sabores" on Thursday and Friday, a new work celebrating the many styles of flamenco. Things finish up on Saturday, when dancer Rafaela Carrasco and his company premiere "Una Mirada al Flamenco," a blend of old and new style dance.

Tickets to all events are available through the Lisner auditorium's website.