Saturday Feb 21, 2009 (8pm)
Originally from France, but with the heart of Andalucía, Gipsy Kings have brought flamenco to the mainstream with a catalogue of international hits. Their sound is defined by lightning-fast classical-guitar riffs, emotive singing, and inventive covers of classics like "Hotel California" and "My Way." The band plays authentic flamenco, complete with palmas (stylized hand claps) and scat vocals sung in a Spanish dialect; even with the Kings' widespread popularity, tonight's show might be the closest a Chicagoan can get to the smoky clubs of Seville and Cádiz where the music was born.
– Joe DeFranceschi