Celebrate International Women's Day with two of Houston's leading business leaders in the performing arts! Be inspired by our guest speakers, Irma La Paloma, co-founder and artistic director of Solero Flamenco and co-director of The Houston Spanish Flamenco Festival, and Lavanya Rajagopalan, founder and executive director of Silambam Houston, as they share their experiences as women entrepreneurs, as artists, and as immigrants in Houston. Enjoy captivating performances from both of our guests after the talk!

Please register your attendance at the bottom of this page. Thank you! 

Featuring:  

• Irma La Paloma - Co-founder and artistic director of Solero Flamenco and co-director of The Houston Spanish and Flamenco Festival.

Irma is a flamenco artist, singer, and choreographer. She is Co-Founder/Artistic Director of Houston’s Premier Flamenco Performance Company, Solero Flamenco (2009.)

Irma performs and collaborates with local and international artists delivering Cante (Flamenco song) with sincerity and passion. She is a strong ambassador of flamenco arts and education in the City of Houston.

Borne of Spanish descent in Havana, Cuba, she began her flamenco training with Spain’s Olga Bustamante at Concepción Arenal and with María Asela Bermúdez at Escuela de Baile Monterroso y Antas de Ulla. Her family later established residence in Madrid where she was further embraced by her heritage. 

Drawing on her professional experience and Bachelor’s Degree in International Finance and Marketing, Irma co-founded/directed the "2011-2016 Houston Spanish and Flamenco Festival."

She is working to preserve flamenco through performance and education in collaboration with San Jacinto College and the Consulate General of Spain. 

• Lavanya Rajagopalan - dancer/choreographer, arts educator/ administrator, and scientist/science communicator, founder and executive director of Silambam Houston.

Dr. Rajagopalan trained in Bharatanatyam with the legendary Prof. Sudharani Raghupathy, and in vocal Indian classical music and in nattuvangam. She has performed extensively and to critical acclaim, both individually and in collaboration with other artistes, throughout India and the US.

She has choreographed and directed several dance performances/productions for the Silambam Houston Dance Company, and also oversees and develops Silambam Houston’s arts education programs.

Dr. Rajagopalan holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry. Following a decadelong, federally-funded, academic research career, she now focuses her scientific skills and energy on science communication and education, including through arts integration. Her specific areas of research expertise range from biophysical and structural biology to biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology.

She has resided in the Houston area for over 20 years.

International Women's Day is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women all over the world.  

This event is FREE and open to the public. Registration is required for this event.