Flamenco Arts Festival (FAF), a Latino conceived and organized nonprofit based in Santa Barbara, will present its season gala finale Aug. 4 (the Friday of Fiesta) at the Lobero Theatre.

FAF, which brings in world-class flamenco artists from Spain and the U.S., will feature Alfonso Losa from Madrid in the award-winning production of Flamenco: Espacio Creativo or Flamenco: Creative Space.

Losa will be joined by dancer and invited guest artist Concha Jareño; Francisco Vinuesa, guitarist/musical director; and singers Angeles Toledano and Antonio Luque “Canito.”

“We start from a whole, but in reality, we have nothing,” said Losa. “Our heritage is immense, but each creation confronts us with the unknown: with something that needs to be born, and that we must discover.

“The seed of Flamenco: Espacio Creativo is simply my love for dance in its broadest and most respectful concept,” he said. “This is the one major reason that led me to introspection, to rework my language, to rediscover and surprise myself.”

Flamenco choreographers Rafael Estévez and Valeriano Paños share artistic direction and choreography with Losa.

“With Estévez & Paños, I immerse myself in poetry impregnated with new energies and concepts,” Los said. “I am motivated by the complexity of contrasts and challenge myself to develop a palette of different emotions.

“There is no transgression, but rather deep research in relation to what has already been created because the creative space of flamenco dance is like the universe: defined, but unlimited.”

“The Flamenco Arts Festival is proud to return with its in-person programming to celebrate 24 years since the founding of the organization and presenting world-class flamenco artists from Spain and the U.S.,” said FAF president Vibiana Pizano.

“Since 1999, we have presented the stars and icons of flamenco, such as Eva Yerbabuena, Cristina Hoyos, Carlos Rodriguez and Angel Rojas, Antonio Najarro, Dorantes, Israel Galvan …,” she said.

“Back in 1999 we knew the Lobero Theatre was the logical place for our flamenco festival because there had been a tradition of flamenco and Spanish artists performing at the Lobero going back many, many years,” Pizano said. “We are happy to be back at the Lobero to be a part of the theater’s 150th anniversary celebration.

“Flamenco and the Spanish arts have been a part of the Lobero Theatre legacy, even before the founding of the FAF, with performances going back to the 1950s or even earlier with Andres Segovia (classical guitarist), Jose Greco, Jose Manero, Luisa Triana, Juan Talavera, Gino D’Auri (guitarist), Roberto Amaral, Lola Montes,” she said.

“Some of these artists performed during OSD Fiesta, but it has been a long time since there has been a major flamenco performance at the Lobero during Fiesta,” Pizano said.

“Our mission is to promote and enhance the art of flamenco, the Spanish traditions, culture, and history in SB, and celebrate cultural diversity in the arts,” Pizano said. “Experiencing flamenco at a world-class level engages us at the most human level of excitement, drama and joy and transcends language and cultural lines.”

Tickets for the performance and after party are on sale online at lobero.org or by phone at 805-963-0761.