Last week the Washington Ballet company concluded an impressive run of shows, but the D.C. dance scene continues to bring it in dynamic ways these days. This week there’s at least one set of dance shows looking to continue the momentum.

Right on time for Valentine’s Day, the eighth annual Flamenco Festival will steam up the stage with four shows this weekend and next week at GWU’s Lisner Auditorium.

Famous flamenco singers Carmen Linares and Miguel Poveda, joined by guitarist Juan Carlos Romero, and D.C.-debuting dancer Pastora Galván will kick it off this Saturday, Feb. 9, in their show, Cuatro Esquinas (Four Corners). Linares, who has been in the business for over 30 years, and Latin Grammy nominee Poveda will combine with Romero and Galván to display the roots of Flamenco along with some of its recent innovations.

On Sunday, the Gypsy guitarist and multiple Latin Grammy Award winner Tomatito (a.k.a. José Fernández Torres) will perform with his ensemble, the Tomatito Quintet, and upcoming Gypsy dancer Jose Maya. Tomatito is famous for working with singer Camarón de la Isla for 18 years before Camarón’s death in 1992, but he has since continued the development of flamenco guitar and has earned his place as the foremost flamenco guitarist of his generation.

Photo of Eva Yerbabuena courtesy Flamenco Festival, D.C.