BENISE: 25 Years of Passion!
March 6, 2027 @ 7:30 PM – 11:30 PM
BENISE Marks 25 Years as the Prince of Spanish Guitar at The Vogel
A Nebraska farm kid who moved to Los Angeles chasing rock stardom instead found flamenco on the radio, and built one of the longest running Latin theatrical productions touring the world.
Few musicians can trace a career this long back to a single radio moment, but BENISE can. On Saturday, March 6, the Emmy Award winning guitarist brings his 25th anniversary tour, 25 Years of Passion, to The Vogel, closing out this stretch of programming with a genuinely full sensory spectacle of music, dance, and theater.
BENISE grew up on a small farm near Ravenna, Nebraska, before moving to Los Angeles to chase rock stardom. That plan changed the moment he heard flamenco music on the radio, prompting him to trade his electric guitar for a nylon stringed classical instrument entirely. He started busking on the street and playing neighborhood theaters and flea markets, quickly building a devoted following from those humble, unglamorous beginnings.
From Street Corners to Dancing With the Stars
That street performer origin eventually led to a spot on the number one rated show in the country, Dancing with the Stars, a milestone BENISE has described as a defining moment in a career built almost entirely on his own persistence. Since then, he’s earned the nickname The Prince of Spanish Guitar, and his stage shows have been called the Latin Riverdance, a description that captures the ambitious blend of Nuevo Flamenco guitar, elaborate choreography, and full theatrical production his performances have become known for.
I wanted to push the boundaries of Nuevo Flamenco and Spanish guitar while combining the elements of dance and theater. This show is a celebration of all the shows we’ve done over the last 25 years.
A Journey Through Every Corner of the World
The 25th anniversary show takes audiences on a musical journey through Spain, Paris, Egypt, India, Italy, and beyond, blending Spanish flamenco, Cuban salsa, Brazilian samba, and Parisian waltz into one continuous production. BENISE also folds in fan favorites from his earliest street performing days alongside unexpected classic rock reinterpretations, including his own take on Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” and AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck,” plus his signature arrangements of “Ave Maria,” “Moonlight Sonata,” and Vivaldi’s “Summer” from The Four Seasons.
Show Details
- DateSaturday, March 6
- Doors6:30 p.m.
- Showtime7:30 p.m.
- VenueThe Vogel, Basie Center Campus
- Address99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ
- Tour25 Years of Passion
Why This Anniversary Show Is Worth Building a Family Night Around
BENISE has described the production as a genuine escape for two hours, and something built for the whole family rather than just guitar enthusiasts or dance fans specifically. With an international cast of musicians and dancers, a full two hour production, and a career spanning genuinely every corner of world music, this anniversary tour offers a rare, full theatrical spectacle rather than a standard concert. For anyone who loves music with real scale and ambition behind it, this is a fitting way to experience twenty five years of genuine passion condensed into one unforgettable night.
Explore New Jersey covers the state’s live world music and dance theater scene, from genre defining guitarists to the touring productions that turn a concert into a full spectacle. Check back for more concert coverage all season long.
