Charo’s known for “cuchi-cuchi,” but she’s also a dedicated guitarist

   It will be a “hot time in the old town tonight” when the charismatic Charo brings her gift of laughter, dynamic flamenco and “cuchi-cuchi” spirit to the Orinda Theatre June 20 at 7 p.m.
   Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Live at the Orinda! concert series and the repair fund for the Orinda Theatre’s famous neon sign.
   Many people only associate Charo with her famous “cuchi-cuchi” line delivered on such talk shows as “The Tonight Show” and “David Letterman,” but she is so much more.
   She began playing classical guitar at the age of nine with her grandfather in Murcia, Spain, before studying with the great Andrés Segovia.
   “Andrés Segovia told me to pick up my guitar and put it close to my heart. Just listen to your heart,” said Charo. “That’s how you transfer the emotion from you to the audience, he said. To me, this technique he gave me was a gift from God.”
   The speed of her finger picking, her ability to create classical vibrato from the nylon strings and her emotive playing has led to Charo’s recognition as a world-class flamenco and classical guitarist.
   “I was born to play the guitar, and I’m practicing like crazy now so I can debut my new show in Orinda,” said Charo. “I usually go to San Francisco to try out new material but this time, it will be Orinda. If the audience likes the new material, then I’ll keep it in the show for the rest of the year. If they don’t like it, goodbye, adios. The Orinda audience will be my reviewer.”
   In addition to playing the guitar, Charo has amassed quite a following on social media, including 770,000 followers on Instagram. She also devotes her time to helping animals, winning a “Compassionate Impact Award” in May for her dedicated, long-term animal rights advocacy.
   “My grandfather and grandmother raised so many animals, and we children played with them all the time – horses, mules, chickens, even a bull – you name it,” Charo said. “When you raise these animals, you learn how intelligent they are, what kind of feelings they have. They don’t feel hate, they just feel love, and they will be forever your best companion.”
   Charo, a vegetarian, also keeps busy with appearances on sit-coms and in film. Her latest film, “Stop! That! Train!” is currently in theaters.
   Hoping to bring her love of music to young people, Charo finds time in her busy schedule to speak and play at various colleges.
   “Music is medicine. We deal with so many stresses, one after another. We need music to help us relax and get stronger,” Charo said. “I hope to transfer what I know of flamenco guitar to the new generation. If I can do that, I will feel like I’ve done something very, very important in my life.”
   For her Orinda concert, the captivating performer will begin with light-hearted contemporary music and stories. In the second half, she will play a favorite concerto on the guitar.
   “This is the best moment of the show for me,” Charo said. “No more cuchi-cuchi. When I hold the guitar in my hand, it’s the audience, the guitar and myself.”
   Charo will play Joaquin Rodrigo’s “Concerto de Aranjuez,” named for the stunning gardens of the Royal Palace of Aranjuez, south of Madrid. Written in 1939, the piece established Rodrigo as one of the most significant Spanish composers.
   “It’s the most beautiful music in the world. It will transport you to another level. Your problems will fly away. I thank everyone for the opportunity to play this wonderful piece,” said Charo.
   And her famous phrase Cuchi-Cuchi? It’s the name a very young Charo gave to her dog.
   “His name was Cuchillo, which is Spanish for knife. He wasn’t a very nice dog and didn’t like people, but he liked me. I couldn’t say Cuchillo then, so I just said cuchi,” said Charo. “He also walked with this funny wiggle, and on a talk show one night, I explained this to the host and showed him how, when I was calling Cuchillo, I would mimic his walk and call out Cuchi-Cuchi. I had no idea it would become so famous.”
   For tickets to this special concert with the vivacious star, go to orindamovies.com/events/70193-charo-in-concert/.