Acclaimed flamenco guitarist PACO LARA from Jerez de la frontera, Spain, returns to the Blue Mountains to kick off Pigeon Lane's live music program for 2023. Flamenco music is described as ". . . a culture. It’s a language. It’s a tradition. The main thing is the music, of course, but it’s very rich music about rhythm more than harmony or about technical skill. It is full of expression and drama.” Do not miss this up close and intimate show with a master guitarist and performer - book your tickets now as seating is strictly limited!

PACO LARA: LIVE @ PIGEON LANE // Saturday, 4 March 2023 // Doors 6:00 pm // Tickets: $89.50 ea incl. two-course meal

Location: Pigeon Lane @ GalleryONE88, Katoomba. 186-188 Katoomba St, Katoomba

Ticket price includes a 2-course meal // This is a seated performance // BYO alcohol // COVID-Safe Event. We recommend that you visit our good friends at Leura Cellars en route to GalleryONE88, who provide an exquisite selection of wines, beer, and spirits, including locally brewed beers from 'Mountain Culture' and ciders from 'Hillbilly'.

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/ PACO LARA /

Francisco Lara Puerto, better known as Paco Lara, is an acclaimed flamenco guitarist from the birthplace and cradle of flamenco Jerez de la Frontera, in Spain. Coming from a musical family, Paco started playing the guitar at a very young age when he was only 8 years old and at a still tender age of 16, he began working professionally as a flamenco guitarist with one of his brothers, singer José Lara, recording 2 albums and touring extensively. Later, Paco was also a mentor and promoter of his other brother, guitarist and composer Santiago Lara, who won the renowned La Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla (2000), Spain’s most prestigious guitar competition.

Thanks to embodying the unmistakable and genuine Jerez style of flamenco guitar playing, throughout his long and fruitful career Paco Lara has recorded over 20 albums with some of the greatest flamenco artists in Spain and has toured internationally with several of them.

As some of his biggest achievements, Paco counts touring internationally alongside Maestro Paco Cepero, one of flamenco’s most legendary guitarists and composers, being at the vanguard of Flamenco Fusion music genre with hugely successful bands El Barrio (2000-2003) and Los Delinqüentes (2007-2011), and touring with the principal figure of The Copla Española, Isabel Pantoja in Santiago de Chille - Chille and in Lima- Peru (2017).

Apart from being a formidable soloist, Paco is also revered for his ability as an accompanist in the specialised world of flamenco singing (Cante). This he has proven time and time again by recording and performing with a number of flamenco’s most significant artists, including Beni de Cádiz, Juan Moneo “El Torta”, Miguel Flores “El Capullo de Jerez”, Tomasa Guerrero's “La Macanita”, Remedios Amaya and Jose de los Camarones.

As an accompanist to flamenco dance (Baile), Paco has participated in many European tours of the famed flamenco dancer Mercedes Ruiz from his native Jerez, playing at her concerts: “Dibujos en el Aire”, “Gestos de Mujer” and “Perspectivas”. When "Perspectivas" was awarded the “Critics Choice” at The Festival de Jerez (2011), their collaboration continued over the next several years through a variety of prestigious programs and festivals across Europe, including:

“Festival de la Guitarra de Córdoba” Córdoba - Spain (2012), “Festival Plaza Flamenca”, Beziers - France (2012), “Teatro Compac Gran Vía Madrid” Madrid - Spain (2012), “Fiesta de la Bulería de Jerez” Jerez - Spain (2012), “Bienal de Sevilla” Seville - Spain (2012), "Oktoberfest" Munich - Germany (2012), "Moscow International House of Music" Moscow - Russia (2013) and "Festival Flamenco" St. Petersburg - Russia (2013).

In 2017, Paco moved with his family to Australia and has since called Down Under his home. In Australia, initially, he performed across the country with different flamenco dance companies, bringing authentic flamenco guitar sound to Australian fans.

In July 2018 he briefly returned to his hometown to participate in The Jerez International Guitar Festival, taking part both as a performer and also as a member of the Jury of the Jerez International Guitar Competition. In August same year, Paco performed at The Sydney Guitar Festival.

Paco continued performing with various artists, but in 2019, an idea was born and he slowly and meticulously began working on his first solo album "The Andalusian Guitar", which was officially released in 2020 and despite the COVID pandemic and delays of its promo tour- turned out to be a great success.

In October 2022, Paco finished his Australian tour promoting "The Andalusian Guitar". He has been performing at some of the most prestigious venues in Australia, boasting repeatedly sold-out concerts, and receiving outstanding reviews. His latest concerts in Canberra, Newcastle, Byron Bay, Queanbeyan etc. have all been sold out in record times.

But, it was his performances at The Sydney Opera House (27/03/2021) and at The Adelaide Guitar Festival (09/07/2021) that have brought him the highest accolades and placed Paco's flamenco guitar music at the very top of the Australian music scene. Today, he is recognised as the most prominent flamenco guitarist living in Australia.

At present, Paco is finishing his second album "Duende", already eagerly awaited by fans and critics alike. The official launch of "Duende" is expected at the end of 2022.

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/ THE EXPERIENCE /

Whilst many events promise a 'speakeasy' experience, no other venue in the Blue Mountains does it quite like 'Pigeon Lane', Gallery ONE88's live music quarter. Why you ask? Well, you won't find the entrance to this space on Katoomba's main drag . . . you need to take a stroll down Katoomba's 'Art Street', aka Beverly Place, and with so much visual candy on display, you won't quite know where you're going. Walking past the ever-changing tapestry of street art, rated as one of the 'Top 10 Things to Do in Katoomba' according to TripAdvisor, you need to find a green door at the rear of the gallery. Don't expect a big neon sign or a grand entryway though - it helps to bring someone who has been here before and keep your eyes peeled. Once you cross the threshold, you will pass through a peculiar ticketing booth, a quirky corner bar (although the venue doesn't yet have a liquor licence - so it's BYO) and enter Pigeon Lane proper.

Just like the eclectic underground venues of Paris or New York, this space has antique chandeliers, timber floors and exposed brick, a small stage framed with red velvet curtains, individual tables, and plenty of artwork and vintage curiosities everywhere to pique your roving interest. The acoustics in this space are divine and the vibe casual, which is the perfect storm for bringing out engaging and emotive performances out of every musician that graces this stage. With the likes of Steve Kilbey (The Church), Jak Housden (The Whitlams), Eugene 'Hideaway' Bridges, Lloyd Swanton (The Necks), Sandy Evans (10 Part Invention), Paul Cutlan, Gary Daley, Trish Delaney-Brown (The Idea of North), George Washingmachine, James Greening and many more having played in this room, the quality of music is second to none. You won't want to miss a show here as there aren't many rooms like this.

>>> To find Pigeon Lane, walk down Beverly Place in Katoomba, aka Art Street, and look for the Green Door at the back of GalleryONE88 (don't worry, you'll find us 😁). There's some parking in the lane and you can drop your passengers off at the door if you're feeling chivalrous.

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/ THE MEAL /

Victor Peralta is both a celebrated artist and an executive cook, who will be curating a dining experience like no other. Featuring two majestic and generous courses, meals will be delivered to your table by alternate drop (one option for you and the other option for your partner) between sets. Dessert, tea, and coffee will also be available to purchase on the night.

[ EXAMPLE MENU - MENU TO BE FINALISED]

- Entrees -

Bruschetta (Vegetarian): Served with pan-seared tomatoes, roasted garlic and burrata; or

Antipasto Platter: A medley of mixed cold cuts and spicey chorizo served alongside roasted peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms and mixed vegetables.

- Mains -

Mega Meat Balls & Spaghetti: Nothing beats a classic Italian country homestead meal. Cooked slow for 3 hours in a red wine & tomato au jus base, tossed in a traditional bolognese sauce, served on a bed of al dente pasta and sprinkled with shavings of matured parmesan and some dry chilli flakes on the side; or

Sweet Leek & Mushroom Carbonara (Vegetarian): In our version of this classic Italian dish, meaty mushrooms take the place of what is typically thick cut ham. Add thinly sliced sweet leeks, a creamy sauce and serve on a bed of al dente pasta and you have a tasty twist on a classic. Sprinkled with shavings of matured parmesan and some dry chilli flakes on the side of course too.

Warm crusty garlic bread provided on the tables to soak in all the delish flavours too!

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/ REFRESHMENTS & LICENSING /

Pigeon Lane is currently BYO only, however, has a dedicated cafe during the day and has an extensive range of non-alcoholic beverages, as well as fresh espresso coffee from Blue Mountains Coffee Roasters. If you're in the mood for a little dessert, Pigeon Lane has also got you covered!

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/ THE SCHEDULE /

Date: Saturday, 4 March 2023.

Venue: Pigeon Lane @ GalleryONE88, 186-188 Katoomba St. Katoomba

Doors Open: 6:00 pm

First Course Served: 6:30 pm

First Set: 7:00-7:45 pm

Second Course & Intermission: 7:45 - 8:45 pm

Second Set: 8:45-9:30 pm

Tickets: $89.50 per person including a 2-course meal

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TERMS, CONDITIONS & CANCELLATIONS:

Tickets are non-refundable unless one of the following conditions are met:
1. Government COVID-19 restrictions prevent Gallery ONE88 from undertaking this kind of activity or force the closure venue as a whole;
2. ALL musicians are unable to perform due to feeling unwell, or inability to reach the venue due to border closures or public health orders; or
3. The venue has significant staff absences due to being unwell and does not have enough the capability to staff the venue.
Special dietary requirements must be specified at the time of booking otherwise we cannot guarantee all requirements will be catered for.
Tickets will not be refunded due to 'change of mind' or failure to read the 'event description' in full.

Contact the host of PACO LARA: LIVE @ PIGEON LANE // Gallery ONE88, Katoomba.