He's on fire! 

One of the world’s foremost traditional flamenco players, Paco Peña, will bring his dazzling guitar work, exquisite compositions, and hand-picked company of dancers to the Performing Arts Center on Monday, Feb. 18, at 7:30 p.m.

• PHOTO COURTESY OF CAL POLY ARTS

Born in Córdoba, Spain, Peña picked up the guitar at the age of 6, giving his first concert at 12. He soon began traveling around Spain and performing in a government-funded folk music and dance program. His success as a young man led to invitations from professional Flamenco companies throughout the country. Having established himself as a sought-after flamenco accompanist, however, Peña craved a new challenge, and moved to London in the ’60s to pursue a solo career. The Brits ate it up, and soon Peña was performing alongside the likes of Jimi Hendrix and doing gigs at the Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall, and Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw.

Despite his international success, however, Peña still paid homage to his hometown of Córdoba, creating the Centro Flamenco Paco Peña there, as well as the Córdoba Guitar Festival.

Flamenco Vivo!, the famed guitarist’s touring show with the Paco Peña Flamenco Dance Company, takes Flamenco to new heights, exploring the dance form’s hypnotic, tribal roots, all while presenting innovative new compositions.

Tickets are a bit pricey for this one—$30 to $54—but you won’t be disappointed. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., but come early to take advantage of a free pre-show lecture led by Cal Poly Music Dept. professor Ken Habib in the PAC’s Philips Recital Hall. For tickets, call 756-4TIX (4849) or visit pacslo.org.