Spanish Flamenco thrives in New Mexico, with its own unique flavor

A lot of folks know New Mexico for green chiles, the largest hot air balloon festival in the world, and the birthplace of the bomb. But it's also a global center of flamenco — the passionate dance, song and music of the Roma people of southern Spain.

The epicenter is Albuquerque. New Mexico's largest city boasts a world-famous flamenco festival that's coming up later this month. The University of New Mexico is the only American university that offers graduate and undergraduate Dance degrees with an emphasis in flamenco. The National Institute of Flamenco is home to a world-class repertory company, and a conservatory that teaches students as young as three, to young adults who want to be professional dancers.

The popularity of flamenco has exploded in the last four decades. You can