Paco de Lucia (b. 1947 – d. 2014). Photo via the artist’s website

Forget Christmas music. This time of year, as the temps start to plunge, I’d rather listen to Latin music – takes the chill off, I guess. And we have a great variety of ways to scratch that itch around here: For masterful Cuban-inflected jazz, you can hear pianist Nachito Herrera play at the Dakota on the regular; FACES in Mears Park features an eclectic rotation of live music, from around the world, in the genre every Friday night. The Black Dog hosts regular performances by Sendero Flamenco, if you’d like a little dance with your music.

So, with a wintry forecast looming for the next couple of weeks, Guitar Society’s Flamenco Guitarathon, on stage in Hamline’s Sundin Music Hall this week, sounds like a fine way to catch a break from the cold. The 2014 iteration of this special event will bring together performances by five Minnesota guitarists: Trevor May, Michael Ziegahn, Michael Hauser, Ben Abrahamson and Daniel Volovets.

This year’s showcase pays tribute to the late Paco de Lucia, a celebrated Spanish Flamenco guitarist who brought a uniquely guitar-driven flavor to what had previously been a largely dance and vocals-driven form of music. Lauded for his impeccable musicianship and finesse, de Lucia played widely around the world, and in so doing, introduced a much larger audience to this “New Flamenco.”

The 2014 Flamenco Guitarathon will take place Friday, November 14, 8 p.m. at Hamline University’s Sundin Music Hall, 1531 Hewitt Avenue, St. Paul. For more information about this year’s featured musicians or to reserve tickets, visit www.mnguitar.org.