Sara Baras Performs Vuela in the Region, A Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Tribute
The veteran Cádiz-based artist returns to the Region with her latest show, a celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of her company and a tribute to the late Paco de Lucía on the tenth anniversary of his passing. At fifty-two, Baras is reportedly at a peak moment, ready to give her all on stage.
Sara Baras, the magnetic flamenco dancer from Cádiz (San Fernando, born 1971), brings Vuela to the local stage. This new production honors the universal guitarist Paco de Lucía and marks a quarter-century of her company. The performance revisits the maestro’s spirit through a seamless blend of dance and music. After its successful premiere at Madrid’s Teatro Real, the show is arriving this Friday at the Auditorio El Batel in Cartagena, where tickets are expected to sell out.
‘Flying’
History: Friday, 21.00.
Place: El Batel Auditorium, Cartagena
Price: 40/50/65 euros.
How is Vuela structured?
It serves as a tribute to Paco de Lucía, with meticulous details and some of Baras’s most demanding work to date. She admits she loves pushing herself beyond previous limits to grow and evolve. In this show, she wanted to dive into the emotional core, weaving together dance, music, and dramaturgy in a carefully crafted experience.
Do many Paco de Lucía works influence the piece?
The guitarist accompanying Baras, Keko Valdemoro, the company’s musical director, has designed a soundtrack that ebbs and flows, highlighting key moments from de Lucía’s repertoire. The lighting, costumes, and sound all contribute to the same aim: to convey the show’s concepts as four distinct acts. The first centers on roots, the second on the sea, the third on mortality, and the final act, flying, invites celebration and joy as the curtain falls.
What was her relationship with Paco de Lucía?
Baras is part of the Paco de Lucía Foundation and has known his family. For her, he is a benchmark. She had the chance to meet him and to receive his guidance. In the early years, the immense respect sometimes kept her from speaking freely, but over time she learned to value his generous, personal character. His artistry and music reach far beyond flamenco, and now, with ten years since his passing, she felt it was the right moment to honor him again.
And twenty-five years of the company is no small feat. What keeps it going?
Maintaining the project isn’t easy. The company has thrived through relentless work and unwavering support from the audience, which Baras will never fully thank. Without that backing, the dream would not continue. The company has produced thirteen shows and more than four thousand performances, touring half the world while never lowering its standards. The team remains vigilant, always pushing forward.
New talents have flourished through Vuela. Isra Fernández, one of the company’s singers, has become a rising star. He will perform again in the region during Bullas’s Antioxidante cycle. In Vuela, two other singers join: May Fernández and Matías López, known as El Mati, bringing a Catalan vocal strength that complements the company’s high-caliber musical and dance offerings. The ensemble serves as a showcase for outstanding artists in both music and dance, capable of soaring on their own when required.
Over the years, many people have passed through the company, united by a shared drive to learn, to do excellent work, and to respect each other. The core team shares common values. It is this respect and dedication that keep them ascending and taking risks. The group feels fortunate to work together every day.
What is Baras most proud of?
She speaks of the emotional impact of looking back and recognizing a distinct, personal stamp. She also highlights the company’s charitable side, which teaches and fuels growth. Yet she admits there is still a long road ahead.
Turning back to Vuela, what is new in this production?
Of the fifteen numbers, Baras performs ten. She notes that she is aging but growing stronger. She expected maturity to look different but finds it empowering, and she believes the audience will be surprised by the level to which the show advances. The repertoire spans everything from heel work and minera to tiento, saeta, copla, fandango, bulería, and seguirilla, all performed with vitality and precision.
Her personal trainer pushes for peak performance, and Baras keeps the pace—anticipating around one hundred performances on the tour across Spain before heading abroad again.
In sum, Vuela represents a culmination of years of work, a celebration of the company’s resilience, and a tribute to a mentor who left an indelible mark on flamenco and the world of music. The show promises a night of intense artistry, emotional resonance, and the unmistakable energy that Sara Baras brings to every stage she graces.