GOINGS ON: SANTA BARBARA : Happy Feet : Ballet Espanol de Los Angeles will perform contemporary and traditional flamenco dancing.

Flamenco dancing isn’t just people stomping their feet.

“Of all of Spain’s regional dances, flamenco is probably the most exciting,” said Roberto Amaral, artistic director and principal dancer of the Ballet Espanol de Los Angeles. “It is the native dance of the gypsies of Southern Spain, and it is a very emotional form of expression.”

Amaral and his dance troupe will be performing “Fuego Flamenco” at Santa Barbara’s Lobero Theater, Saturday at 8 p.m. Although they have done two previous shows at the theater in the past few years, this is the first time they will focus exclusively on flamenco.

“Currently, Spain is being influenced by the music and cultures of other countries, and they are fusing the ideas of the outer world into their dancing,” said the 42-year-old Amaral who has been dancing professionally since age 17.

“They are becoming musically aware of American sounds, such as jazz and blues and rock. There are even flamenco rappers these days,” Amaral said.

Some of the dance numbers at Saturday’s show will be pure, elementary flamenco, while others will be the traditional dance spruced up with a contemporary twist. And these new elements, Amaral added, are a reflection of what is happening in Spain.

“Traditional flamenco has a very complex rhythm, and for many people, the whole thing seems pretty bizarre,” Amaral said. “So what we do is add something that the audience is familiar with--maybe a straight drum beat or modern costumes, or some contemporary lighting--and then they can relate to it better.”

Of the two guitarists, two singers, and nine dancers who will be performing the “Fuego Flamenco,” four are originally from Spain and all have trained there.

“We have some of the most prominent flamenco dancers in the U.S.,” Amaral said. “Before, New York was the hot spot for flamenco dancers. But in recent years, Los Angeles, for whatever reason, has attracted the highest caliber performers.”

The “Fuego Flamenco” presentation is part of Santa Barbara’s Old Spanish Days celebration, which will continue Sunday. Also in conjunction with this five-day festival, honoring the city’s Spanish and Mexican heritage, is an array of free entertainment at the “Mercado” at De La Guerra Plaza.

Paula Abdul’s autographed tap shoes, a Sports Illustrated cover signed by Magic Johnson and autographed jackets and shoes from Janet Jackson and Richard Marx are among the items that will be auctioned at 3:45 p.m. Saturday. Proceeds will go to the victims of the recent Santa Barbara fire. Other celebrities who donated possessions for the benefit auction include Jackson Browne, Steve Garvey, Don Henley and members of Motley Crue.

Other performances include a mariachi band at noon today, 12:30 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday; flamenco dance shows at 2:30 and 6 p.m. today, noon Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday; and big-band sounds and street dancing every day from 9 p.m. to midnight.

* WHERE AND WHEN: “Fuego Flamenco” will be performed at Santa Barbara’s Lobero Theater on Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets for the show are $17.50 and $15.50 for students and seniors and are available at the Lobero box office, (805) 963-0761.