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Flamenco is not simply a dance. It is not simply a song. It is a living, breathing argument about what it means to be human — rooted in the soil of Andalusia, shaped by centuries of cultural collision, and as urgently alive in 2026 as it has ever been. And this March, Chicago gets to experience it firsthand.

On this episode of HablArte! we sit down with four remarkable voices at the heart of the 24th Chicago Flamenco Festival, running March 1st through March 17th at the Instituto Cervantes of Chicago — one of the most anticipated cultural events to hit the city this year.

Joining us is Mateo Mulcahy, Deputy Executive Director of the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago, whose organization is co-producing two of the festival's marquee performances. We are also joined by Teresa Hernando, Cultural Programs Manager at the Instituto Cervantes of Chicago and the curatorial force behind this extraordinary lineup of artists. And in a conversation you will not want to miss, we welcome Nat Hulskamp and Manuel Gutiérrez of Seffarine — the ensemble whose closing night performance, From Fez to Jerez, traces the deep, living musical dialogue between North Africa and Andalusia.

Together we explore what brought this festival to Chicago, what makes this year's program unlike anything the city has seen before, and why flamenco — recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity — continues to speak across borders, languages, and generations with a power that defies easy explanation.

Whether you are a lifelong flamenco devotee or someone who has never seen a single performance, this conversation will change how you hear the music, see the movement, and understand the history behind one of the world's most extraordinary art forms.

Tickets for all performances range from $20 to $35. Full schedule and ticketing available at chicago.cervantes.es and LatinoCulturalCenter.org will be producing two of the Concerts in this festival.

Don't just listen — go experience it live.

This Podcast is produced by the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago, a Pan Latino Cultural Organization that seeks to promote, educate and empower Latino Arts in the Chicago Area. The ILCC is a non-for-profit organization and operates thanks to the generous contribution of our members and donor organizations. The ILCC is also the producer of the Chicago Latino Film Festival, the longest running Film Festival of its kind in North America.

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This week on the podcast, we're honored to welcome Nani Vazana, the millennial Ladino singer-songwriter who won the 2024 Eurovision for minority languages (Liet International)  and whose work has been documented for the Library of Congress 

Nani heard Ladino from her Moroccan grandmother in secret, as her father forbade the language at home. Those whispered songs and kitchen memories sparked a lifelong journey to revive this nearly extinct language of Sephardic Jews. Through her music, Nani transforms ancient Ladino into something vibrant and contemporary—fusing traditional melodies with flamenco-inspired vocals and socially relevant storytelling that addresses migration, gender, and female empowerment.

Join us for an unforgettable evening with Nani Vazana on February 27th, 2026—a production by the International Latino Cultural Center presented at Piano Forte on 1335 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets are now on sale at LatinoCulturalCenter.org. This venue only has 75 seats, so plan ahead and get your tickets today!

This Podcast is produced by the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago, a Pan Latino Cultural Organization that seeks to promote, educate and empower Latino Arts in the Chicago Area. The ILCC is a non-for-profit organization and operates thanks to the generous contribution of our members and donor organizations. The ILCC is also the producer of the Chicago Latino Film Festival, the longest running Film Festival of its kind in North America.

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In this episode of HablArte!, meet Ed Mejía, a Washington D.C.-based graphic designer whose poster design has just won the Chicago Latino Film Festival's Poster Contest.

Selected from over 700 submissions, Ed's design will serve as the face of the festival this April. Join us as Ed shares the inspiration behind his winning poster, how the Windy City influenced his creative vision, and what drove him to enter the contest. Get to know Ed—both as an artist and as a person.

This Podcast is produced by the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago, a Pan Latino Cultural Organization that seeks to promote, educate and empower Latino Arts in the Chicago Area. The ILCC is a non-for-profit organization and operates thanks to the generous contribution of our members and donor organizations. The ILCC is also the producer of the Chicago Latino Film Festival, the longest running Film Festival of its kind in North America.

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On this very special episode of HablArte! we talk to Multi-Grammy Winner Alex Cuba on his upcoming Chicago concert at the International Latino Cultural Center's 25th Anniversary Celebration next 14th of November 2025. 

Alex will be playing an intimate concert and introducing his very latest Album "Índole" which has dropped on Nov. 7th just in time for this his first stage appearance in Chicago since 2022.

Tickets for this concert are available at LatinoCulturalCenter.org

This Podcast is produced by the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago, a Pan Latino Cultural Organization that seeks to promote, educate and empower Latino Arts in the Chicago Area. The ILCC is a non-for-profit organization and operates thanks to the generous contribution of our members and donor organizations. The ILCC is also the producer of the Chicago Latino Film Festival, the longest running Film Festival of its kind in North America.

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In this episode of HablArte!, we sit down with Omar Torres Kortright, Executive Director of the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center in Chicago, for an inspiring conversation about the city's vibrant Latino cultural scene—past and present.

Omar shares the rich history of the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center and reflects on 25 years of meaningful collaborations with the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago (ILCC). From grassroots community organizing to celebrating Puerto Rican and Latino arts, this episode explores how cultural institutions have shaped and preserved Chicago's diverse heritage.

Whether you're passionate about Chicago history, Latino culture, or community activism, this conversation offers valuable insights into the power of cultural centers in building and sustaining vibrant communities.

Guest: Omar Torres Kortright, Executive Director, Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center

This Podcast is produced by the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago, a Pan Latino Cultural Organization that seeks to promote, educate and empower Latino Arts in the Chicago Area. The ILCC is a non-for-profit organization and operates thanks to the generous contribution of our members and donor organizations. The ILCC is also the producer of the Chicago Latino Film Festival, the longest running Film Festival of its kind in North America.

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This week, we are pleased to talk to Juan Dies, founder and Executive Director of Sones de Mexico, a Grammy and Latin Grammy nominated ensemble celebrating their own 30 year trajectory that has laid down the soundtrack for Son over the last 30 years. Dies is a pillar of Chicago´s cultural scene and we talk to him about the establishment of his organization that continues to educate, uplift and inspire from right here in Chicago. 

HablArte! is the official Podcast of the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago, an institution celebrating 25 years of cultural excellence in Chicago. This year we are celebrating with a special Anniversary event on November 14th, 2025 at CineCity Studios - The event includes Grammy and Latin Grammy winning artist Alex Cuba and the Kaia Quartet. There will be celebration, auctions, intimiate concert with Alex Cuba and a world class dinner by Brazilian Cuisine Sinhá. 

The ILCC of Chicago is dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of Hispanic and Latino arts. We believe this understanding can build a bridge to a broader appreciation and comprehension of the rich traditions and diverse influences that contribute to the greatness of America.

We want you to be there - buy your tickets today! LatinoCulturalCenter.org

This Podcast is produced by the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago, a Pan Latino Cultural Organization that seeks to promote, educate and empower Latino Arts in the Chicago Area. The ILCC is a non-for-profit organization and operates thanks to the generous contribution of our members and donor organizations. The ILCC is also the producer of the Chicago Latino Film Festival, the longest running Film Festival of its kind in North America.

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In this episode of HablArte! we continue our celebration of 25 years at the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago with Deputy Executive Director Mateo Mulcahy. 

Mateo has been promoting and producing world music events for decades and brings his experience to the ILCC with the Chicago Latino Music Series which has been expanded much since 2022. 

Come and explore the Latino music scene in Chicago and how the ILCC has been a good part of that history.

The ILCC is dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of Hispanic and Latino arts. We believe this understanding can build a bridge to a broader appreciation and comprehension of the rich traditions and diverse influences that contribute to the greatness of America.

This Podcast is produced by the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago, a Pan Latino Cultural Organization that seeks to promote, educate and empower Latino Arts in the Chicago Area. The ILCC is a non-for-profit organization and operates thanks to the generous contribution of our members and donor organizations. The ILCC is also the producer of the Chicago Latino Film Festival, the longest running Film Festival of its kind in North America.

Send a text

HablArte! Episode 1: Celebrating 25 Years of Cultural Impact

Join us for the first of eleven special episodes commemorating the 25th anniversary of the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago. Host James Klein sits down with Alejandro Riera, long time film critic and the Chicago Latino Film Festival's Press Coordinator, to explore the ILCC's most significant milestones, memorable highlights, and the distinctive qualities that have established it as Chicago's premier Latino cultural powerhouse.

This episode kicks off our anniversary series leading up to our celebratory fundraising dinner on November 14th, 2025 at CineCity Studios, featuring exclusive performances by special guest Alex Cuba and String Quartet Kaia. Discover what makes this institution truly unique in fostering community, preserving heritage, and promoting Latino arts and culture over the past quarter-century.

The International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago is dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of Hispanic and Latino arts. We believe this understanding can build a bridge to a broader appreciation and comprehension of the rich traditions and diverse influences that contribute to the greatness of America.

Tickets available at LatinoCulturalCenter.org

This Podcast is produced by the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago, a Pan Latino Cultural Organization that seeks to promote, educate and empower Latino Arts in the Chicago Area. The ILCC is a non-for-profit organization and operates thanks to the generous contribution of our members and donor organizations. The ILCC is also the producer of the Chicago Latino Film Festival, the longest running Film Festival of its kind in North America.

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In this episode of HablArte! we are speaking with Mateo Mulcahy, the ILCC's Deputy Executive Director and the man in charge of programming much of the music series we all enjoy year round. This time, Mateo is presenting the Levitt VIBE Chicago Music Series, a collaboration with the Levitt Foundation to use under utilized spaces to promote and uplift artistic voices. This second year, the program will be presented at Chicago Parks in Gage Park, La Villita, Riis Park in Belmont Cragin and Rainbow Beach on the south shore. 

Joins us as we unpack the Levitt VIBE Chicago Music Series!

This Podcast is produced by the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago, a Pan Latino Cultural Organization that seeks to promote, educate and empower Latino Arts in the Chicago Area. The ILCC is a non-for-profit organization and operates thanks to the generous contribution of our members and donor organizations. The ILCC is also the producer of the Chicago Latino Film Festival, the longest running Film Festival of its kind in North America.

Send a text

Physical Theatre Festival will soon be underway in June and we have Alice DaCunha and Mark Frost with us on HablArte! to talk about REWIND a play that has collected many awards and accolades, even being named the best physical theatre play of 2024 by The Guardian in the UK. 

Join us with host Mateo Mulcahy as we explore this extraordinary theatre presentation in Chicago on June 5th, 6th and 7th at Theatre Wit.

This Podcast is produced by the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago, a Pan Latino Cultural Organization that seeks to promote, educate and empower Latino Arts in the Chicago Area. The ILCC is a non-for-profit organization and operates thanks to the generous contribution of our members and donor organizations. The ILCC is also the producer of the Chicago Latino Film Festival, the longest running Film Festival of its kind in North America.