FOR nearly two hours last Friday, New Kingston’s Spanish Court Hotel was transformed into a flamenco arena by Barcelona-based Las Migas.

The quartet, which recently wrapped a month-long tour of United States and Canada, shared their exotic brand of music with an appreciative audience, and despite the language barrier, several fans tried to sing-along while others did their interpretations of Latin dance.

Las Migas’s guitarist Marta Robles said she was pleased with how the evening turned out.

“We were very happy so many people came. The audience was very warm … and they even danced, so we feel very comfortable,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

In additon to Robles, Las Migas comprises Alicia Grillo (guitar), Roser Loscos (violin), and Alba Carmona (vocalist and dancer).

According to Robles, the group performed previously released material as well as songs from their upcoming album

Vente Conmigo, which is due out November 11. That 10-track set, Las Migas’s third, will be distributed by Sony Music.

“For this album we wanted to have a more international appeal… the music is more open than the previous albums. It is not so flamenco, but more Latin in order to connect with more people,” she said.

Robles seemed to have made that connection with the opening stanza of Vente Conmigo. There was thunderous applause forLa Guitarrina and Sentida Cancion.

A wardrobe change for singer Carmona saw her return to perform a beautiful and intense dance number entitled Guajira Para Julio. Her hand-clapping, foot- stomping routine took her into the audience.

Midway their set, the quartet encouraged the gathering to get up and dance with several taking up the offer.

Other songs included Con Lo Bien Que Yo Estaba Sola, Me Mueve El Aire and Dejalos Que Digan.

Host Carmen Rives Ruiz-Tapiador, charge d’affaires at the Embassy of Spain, said it was vital to share the Spanish culture.

“Culture is the best way to discover the identity and style of people. For me, it’s important to share my culture and to discover Jamaican culture. This is my way of saying thank you to Jamaica for everything we received by living here. We’re building friendships,” she said.

Las Migas was also on show at the Montego Bay Cultural Centre in St James on Saturday. They leave today for Havana, Cuba.