FLAMENCO QUEER was born in October 2019 from the collaboration of Badalona-based dancer Rubén Heras (March 1997) and London-born guitarist Jero Férec (May 1993).
The project kicked off with a series of experimental nights, bringing a queer-style tablao to life at Bar La Federica, a queer hub in the Poble-Sec neighborhood of Barcelona. They still perform there every month.
Flamenco Queer blends traditional flamenco with queer identity and inclusivity. It celebrates the historical fusion of queer, transvestite, and flamenco communities that once thrived in Raval and Poble-Sec in the early 20th century. The project stands on core principles, always advocating for the need to create safe and inclusive spaces where flamenco can be experienced and enjoyed. It strives for intersectional representation among artists, aiming to highlight the queer contributions to flamenco culture—both past and present.
They’ve performed at iconic tablaos like Corral de la Morería, Café Ziryab (Madrid), and Tarantos (Barcelona). They’re also regulars at the vibrant queer venues in Barcelona like Candy Darling, Sala Apolo, Sidecar, and have collaborated with artists such as Al Blanco, Lidia Mora, Ana Brenes, Alvaro Romero, Luis de la Fefa, Miriam Vallejo, Laura Marchal, JayJay Revlon, Jayce Gucci, Norma Mor, and “Pakita.”
In 2021, they were invited to present their project at the “Primavera Pro” festival, as part of the “Discuss to Resist” program. There, they led a hybrid performance and discussion with Asturian singer Rodrigo Cuevas and Chilean drag artist Norma Mor, exploring what it means to live within Spain’s cultural traditions like folklore and flamenco from a queer perspective.
That same year, they performed at Barcelona’s Merce festival with special guests Alvaro Romero, Lidia Mora, and “Pakita,” a renowned transvestite performer.
Later that year, they showcased an excerpt of their show at “Corral de la Morería” (Madrid) for an Amazon-sponsored event, featuring collaborations with Alba Molina and Fran Cortés, dressed by Palomo Spain and hosted by Tania Llasera.
In late 2020, they released their first post-lockdown audiovisual work, “La Canción del Mariquita,” in collaboration with Ana Brenes (cante), Edu Libra (production), José Pouchouq (director of photography), and Norma Mor (art direction). The music video, filmed at Konvent (Berga), pays tribute to Federico García Lorca. “La Canción del Mariquita” and Flamenco Queer’s performance at the VIHsibles festival (Valencia) were documented by British director and journalist Alex Rawlings in “Flamenco Queer: The Documentary.”
In March 2022, they dropped their second video-single, “Azúcar pa’ tu Cuerpa,” in collaboration with Eduardo Cortés (music production) and renowned percussionist Israel Suarez “Piraña.” The video, directed by Natash Brown and Jose Pxq, is all about the erotic interplay between flamenco guitar and dance.
Flamenco Queer is gaining momentum as an emerging group in Barcelona, offering a fresh, dynamic performance style that adapts to any event.
By Elisa