Two young men vying for Spirit of Fiesta 2021

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The last time a male had an Old Spanish Days Spirit title was back in 1998 when Ryan Zermeño became the first male Junior Spirit of Fiesta.

This year, two young male finalists hope to make Old Spanish Days dancing history. They say there has never been a male Spirit.

Jack Harwood, 16, has been dancing since he was 4. The teen is a Dos Pueblos High School Junior in the Engineering Academy. Miguel Sánchez, 19, is a Santa Barbara City College freshman studying business administration and communications.

Sanchez said the two "have grown up together." He said most of the time they have dance class together until they are in a private lesson.

They practice together at the Maria Bermudez Flamenco Performing Arts Studio off West Victoria Ave. in Santa Barbara.

"It is quite the process and it is pretty nerve wracking," Hardwood said. "Everyday we are practicing, everyday we are preparing ourselves mentally and physically."

Hardwood started dancing when he was 4.

"I just fell in love with flamenco the first time I stepped into the classroom," he said.

They both agree the pandemic has changed their training schedule.

"It has definitely made it challenging but interesting at same time like getting to LA and meeting with my mentor," said Harwood.

Old Spanish Days Director of Photography Fritz Olenberger has taken photos of all the participants. He has a specific method for allowing the subjects to shine in his photos.

"I like to shoot with the lens wide open meaning an aperture of F2.8, or wider if you have it, and that throws the background way out of focus and the subject is very much in focus and that isolates the attention on the subject," the photographer said.

Olenberger never picks favorites but said he thinks these men have a shot.

"It could be their year. They are both very talented, every bit as the young women," Olenberger said. "We will have to wait and see."

If one of them is chosen as the Spirit of Fiesta, they will make history.

“It would honestly bring some seasoning and some spice to Fiesta,” Sanchez said. He says he was inspired by the women who have won in the past but added, "it is time for a male to win.”

The final audition will be held at the Lobero on Saturday.

The final audition will be streamed live on KEYT.com and broadcast on the NOW Channel this Saturday and 3 p.m.