Since its foundation, El Arenal has been much more than just a stage. For over five decades, we’ve shared authentic flamenco with locals and visitors from around the world. A place where tradition, passion, and the truth of Andalusian art are felt in every performance.
The best place in the world to feel the emotions of Flamenco Art.
The New York Times
We’re located on Calle Rodo, right in the historic center of Seville — between the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza and the Maestranza Theatre, just steps from the Cathedral, the Giralda, and the Torre del Oro. In this setting, the magic of flamenco comes to life every night.
The performance at El Arenal is a one-of-a-kind experience. One hour of raw emotion with singers, dancers, and guitarists who give their all on stage with intensity and truth. Here, the duende flows naturally. And flamenco is honored as the cultural treasure it is — a UNESCO World Heritage.
You can enjoy the show with a drink, a selection of tapas, or a high-quality Andalusian dinner. Our menu enhances each performance with local flavor, in a perfect pairing of gastronomy and art.
Curro Vélez was born in 1934 in Triana, birthplace of famous bullfighters and stars of flamenco singing and dancing.
Curro Vélez, pure race all around, grew up among the greats of flamenco. He was attracted by this art and when he earned his first pesetas (old Spanish coin), he invested them in dance lessons with the famous flamenco master from Seville: Enrique “El Cojo”.
At the age of 15 he appeared for the first time in public at the Hotel Cristina, which at that time had the most famous flamenco tablao in Seville. Under the skilled direction of “El cojo” and helped by the intuition of his own race, Curro Vélez was developing his art to become one of the most promising values of flamenco.
Shortly after his debut he became part of the ballet of Pilar López, as a partner.
Then he left to America where he acted as the first dancer in the ensembles of Carmen Amaya, Antonio, Sabicas and José Greco.
Back in Spain, Manolo Caracol, one of the greatest flamenco artists of this century, presented him in his famous tablao “Los Canasteros”, in Madrid.
In 1964, together with Manuela Vargas, he appeared at the World Exhibition in New York and at the Paris Festival.
In 1966, he toured with Luisa Ortega and Arturo Pavón as a solo dancer, at the end of which he decided to become independent.
Curro showed his talent for flamenco dance, directing and presenting the most complicated and innovative choreographies.
With his show “Fiesta Gitana”he performed in Paris, at the Theatre des Champs-Elysées, for two consecutive seasons and then toured Holland and Belgium. Also he performed triumphantly in Rome as one of the leading figures of flamenco for his brilliant technique and his magnificent rhythmic expression.