Encyclopedia of Dance: Flamenco. spanish flamenco dance flamenco spain

This dance and musical genre is the symbol of Spain.

Temperamental, incendiary flamenco will not leave anyone indifferent. The legs themselves will move to the beat of passionate music, and the palms will tap out an expressive rhythm.

Flamenco culture was formed in the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula, mainly in Andalusia. In general, flamenco culture includes musical art. AT to a large extent it's a guitar vocal art, dance, theater and characteristic style clothes. The term "flamenco" is closely connected with the culture and life of the gypsies, in Andalusia for 150 years it meant precisely this nation. There are other versions of this term: in Spanish, flamenco, in addition to gypsies, also meant “Fleming” and “flamingo”. A version of the origin of the term is also possible from the Latin flamma - fire. Obviously, each interpretation partially corresponds to the truth, and, taken together, they create a holistic image of the entire flamenco culture.

The history of the origin of the dance

For a long time, the gypsies were considered the only carriers of the flamenco culture. They arrived in Spain in the 15th century from Byzantium, and began to absorb local traditions music and dance. And in Spain there was a strong influence of Arab, Moorish culture. So, gypsies, having absorbed Spanish, Arab, Jewish traditions, and combining them with their own original culture, they created such a unique phenomenon as flamenco. They lived in closed, isolated groups, and flamenco was an isolated art for a long period. But in the 18th century, with the end of the persecution of the gypsies, flamenco "went free" and immediately gained popularity.

In the 20th century, flamenco was enriched with Cuban traditions, jazz variations. Spanish movements classical dance also began to be used in flamenco culture. Now flamenco enjoys well-deserved popularity: it is danced by professionals and amateurs, flamenco festivals are regularly held, there are numerous schools of this type of dance.

What is flamenco?

All Spanish dances are based on folk art. Flamenco dances are often accompanied by castanets, hand clapping - palmas, blows to the percussion box (cajon). It is impossible to imagine flamenco without traditional attributes - a long dress, a fan, sometimes a shawl, which the dancer wraps around her figure, then unwinds. An indispensable moment of the dance is the dancer's play with the hem of her dress. This movement is reminiscent of gypsy origin flamenco.

Spanish dance melody is quite often in 3/4 time signature, but it can also be in 2/4 or 4/4 time signature. Flamenco is characterized by the movements of zapadeado - tapping the rhythm with heels, pitos - snapping fingers, palmas - clapping hands. Many flamenco performers refuse castanets, as they do not give the opportunity to fully express the expressiveness of the hands. Hands in Spanish dance work very actively. They give the dance expressiveness and grace. The floreo movement - turning the brush with its opening - is simply mesmerizing. It resembles a flower that gradually blooms.

Types of flamenco

Under the general name of flamenco, many Spanish dances are united, including allegrias, farruca, garrotin, bulleria and others. There are many styles of flamenco that differ in rhythmic patterns. The most famous of them:

• Palos
• Fandango
• Solea
• Segiriya
• The flamenco country style includes dancing, singing, and playing the guitar.

The art of flamenco, being synthetic, uniting the culture of East and West, influenced the formation of musical and dance styles around the world. Formed modern views flamenco:

• gypsy rumba
• flamenco pop
• flamenco jazz
• flamenco rock and others.

Flamenco Features

Flamenco dance and music are characterized by improvisation. A complex rhythmic pattern, an abundance of melismas and variations make it difficult to accurately notate music and record dance movements. Therefore, in the art of flamenco, an important role is assigned to the teacher, through whom the original culture is passed down from generation to generation. Flamenco has influenced Latin American music, jazz. Modern ballet masters and choreographers see in the art of flamenco a great scope for self-realization and the introduction of new ideas.

Temperamental, incendiary flamenco will not leave anyone indifferent. The legs themselves will move to the beat of passionate music, and the palms will tap out an expressive rhythm

Flamenco culture was formed in the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula, mainly in Andalusia. In general, flamenco culture includes the art of music. To a large extent, this is guitar, vocal art, dance, theatrical and characteristic style of clothing. The term "flamenco" is closely connected with the culture and life of the gypsies, in Andalusia for 150 years it meant precisely this nation. There are other versions of this term: in Spanish, flamenco, in addition to gypsies, also meant “Fleming” and “flamingo”. A version of the origin of the term is also possible from the Latin flamma - fire. Obviously, each interpretation partially corresponds to the truth, and, taken together, they create a holistic image of the entire flamenco culture.

The history of the origin of the dance

For a long time, the gypsies were considered the only carriers of the flamenco culture. They arrived in Spain in the 15th century from Byzantium, and began to absorb the local traditions of music and dance. And in Spain there was a strong influence of Arab, Moorish culture. So, the gypsies, having absorbed Spanish, Arabic, Jewish traditions, and combining them with their own original culture, created such a unique phenomenon as flamenco. They lived in closed, isolated groups, and flamenco was an isolated art for a long period. But in the 18th century, with the end of the persecution of the gypsies, flamenco "went free" and immediately gained popularity.

In the 20th century, flamenco was enriched with Cuban traditions, jazz variations. Spanish classical dance movements also began to be used in flamenco culture. Now flamenco enjoys well-deserved popularity: it is danced by professionals and amateurs, flamenco festivals are regularly held, there are numerous schools of this type of dance.

What is flamenco?

All Spanish dances are based on folk art. Flamenco dances are often performed accompanied by castanets, handclaps - palmas, blows to the percussion box (cajon). It is impossible to imagine flamenco without traditional attributes - a long dress, a fan, sometimes a shawl, which the dancer wraps around her figure, then unwinds. An indispensable moment of the dance is the dancer's play with the hem of her dress. This movement is reminiscent of the gypsy origins of flamenco.

Spanish dance melody is quite often in 3/4 time signature, but it can also be in 2/4 or 4/4 time signature. Flamenco is characterized by the movements of zapadeado - tapping the rhythm with heels, pitos - snapping fingers, palmas - clapping hands. Many flamenco performers refuse castanets, as they do not give the opportunity to fully express the expressiveness of the hands. Hands in Spanish dance work very actively. They give the dance expressiveness and grace. The floreo movement - turning the brush with its opening - is simply mesmerizing. It resembles a flower that gradually blooms.

Kinds

Under the general name of flamenco, many Spanish dances are united, including allegrias, farruca, garrotin, bulleria and others. There are many styles of flamenco that differ in rhythmic patterns. The most famous of them:

• Palos
• Fandango
• Solea
• Segiriya

The flamenco country style includes dancing, singing, and playing the guitar.

The art of flamenco, being synthetic, uniting the cultures of the East and the West, has influenced the formation of musical and dance styles around the world. Formed modern types of flamenco:

• gypsy rumba
• flamenco pop
• flamenco jazz
• flamenco rock and others.

Flamenco Features

Flamenco dance and music are characterized by improvisation. A complex rhythmic pattern, an abundance of melismas and variations make it difficult to accurately notate music and record dance movements. Therefore, in the art of flamenco, an important role is assigned to the teacher, through whom the original culture is passed down from generation to generation. Flamenco has influenced Latin American music, jazz. Modern ballet masters and choreographers see in the art of flamenco a great scope for self-realization and the introduction of new ideas.

Flamenco is a Spanish musical style that combines singing (usually there are few words in songs), dance and musical accompaniment(usually they dance to the guitar, hand and heel strikes are made according to a predetermined tempo).

What is flamenco.

Spanish flamenco dance is very popular today. Many true connoisseurs of flamenco have come up with many ramifications and variations in his style.
It was shaped by the rich historical heritage that the Spanish land has been exposed to. Arabs, Byzantines, Hindus and Greeks, Gypsies and Spaniards have minted the sides and images of flamenco for centuries.
The history of flamenco goes back to the distant past - about 500 years ago. But the gypsies played a special role. In the 15th century they arrived in the Iberian Peninsula from Asia. Settling in the historical region of Andalusia, over the years the Byzantine gypsies mingled with the local population.
Since the gypsies are famous for their ability to sing and dance, a part of gypsy music and dance mixed with Spanish, which eventually grew into something similar to today's flamenco. But only after 3 centuries in given style a guitar was added, without which today's flamenco is unthinkable.
Spain is always open to tourists and travelers who are not indifferent to music, dancing and singing. This country can truly amaze with its charm and charm, and ancient folklore can lure you headlong into a pool of passion and madness, because flamenco is not just a dance, it is folklore mixed with music, as well as the feelings of the dancer and his soul.

Where can you see flamenco in Spain.

Spain provides the opportunity to see a live dance performance (there you can also try all the variety):

• 2 times a year, the festival is called "Bienal de Flamenco" (free entrance). The festival lasts 28 days. The history of this festival is 35 years old, but it has already gained popularity in many parts of the world as the most chic and grand festival flamenco in Spain;
• in addition to the festival in Seville, in local tablaos (tablao is a bar where flamenco dance is performed), you can get acquainted with flamenco at any time of the year. The most popular tablaos are: Casa Anselma (starting at 24:00, daily, admission is free), Los Galos (starting at 20:00, daily, admission 35 euros per person), Auditorio Alvarez Quintero (starting at 19:00) , daily, entry 17 euros per person).

In other cities, Spanish flamenco dance is also popular and in demand among tourists and travelers:

• in Jerez - the festival "Fiesta de la Bulerie" takes place once a year, the date must be specified on the city's website;
• in Cadiz - you can visit the local tablaos of the city, and feel the beauty of flamenco;
• in Barcelona - the autumn flamenco festival takes place in the Cordobes tablao (minimum entry fee 45 euros per person), where the best Catalan flamenco performers perform;
• in Granada - in the local tablaos of the city;
• c - in the tablao Villa Rosa (min. price - 32 euros per person), tablao Corral de la Moreia (min. price - 39 euros per person);
• in Cordoba - in the local tablaos of the city.

Flamenco in the caves of Granada.

In addition to festivals and tablaos, flamenco has its roots deep in, where local gypsies dance zambra in the caves of Mount Sacromonte. Granada is considered the birthplace of the Zambra, as this dance was born here, in which guitar motifs are closely intertwined with singing.
The Spanish gypsies in Granada have been keeping the secret of performing real flamenco for 5 centuries, which is kept secret and passed only from parents to children.
At great desire true flamenco connoisseurs can visit Granada and the Sacromonte caves in September from anywhere the globe, because today any tourist organization offers a wide range of vouchers and pleasant discounts for tourist groups.
While in Spain or in Granada, visiting the caves with the performance of the Spanish flamenco dance will be free.

And you know that...

spanish dance flamenco over its long history of existence has acquired legends, amazing stories and interesting facts. Among the most notable events are the following:

• almost to the end of the 19th century. the gypsies danced barefoot;
• the dancer J. Cortes is the ambassador of all gypsies in the EU;
• a flamenco guitar made of cypress;
• an amazing sound from playing the guitar is obtained thanks to short and strong blows the guitarist on the strings;
• usually the performer comes up with the words of the song right off the bat, without much preparation and a pre-planned context;
• usually the flamenco guitarist is considered the most important link and the most revered among the entire dance team;
• almost 90% of flamenco guitarists do not know the notes;
• there are varieties of flamenco: flamenco rock, jazz and pop;
• until the end of the 18th century, flamenco existed only in a narrow circle of gypsy families;
• each Spanish city has its own kind and form of flamenco;
• the largest festival dedicated to flamenco takes place in Seville;
• in Barcelona, ​​in honor of the dance, a restaurant and a museum were opened.

Flamenco is a traditional music and dance style that has long been calling card countries. Dynamic, bright, sensual, passionate, deep and sometimes dramatic, flamenco is a whole art that perfectly conveys the spirit of Spain and its people.

Flamenco is often called a dance, which is not entirely correct. Flamenco in Spain is a synthesis of dance, music and song. With the help of guitar melody, hand clapping, heel tapping, voice acting, dance moves and, of course, Spanish temperament, flamenco performers are able to evoke the strongest emotions in the audience.

History of flamenco

The history of flamenco in Spain dates back to the 15th century, when gypsies began to move here from Byzantium. Gypsy tribes settled on the southern coast of the country in the region of Andalusia near the cities of Seville, Cadiz and Granada. Having moved to Spain, the new settlers could not refuse own culture- dances, music and songs, however, over time, they began to adopt the traditions of the Moors, Jews, Jews and Spaniards who lived here earlier. It was then, thanks to the mixture of several cultures, that the flamenco style, which is so popular now, was born.

Flamenco in Spain

For many years, flamenco was known only in isolated gypsy settlements. Only to late XVIII centuries after the weakening of the persecution, the gypsies were able to bring their culture to the masses. Flamenco began to be performed in taverns and other public places.

Like any living organism, the art of flamenco has evolved. In XX a huge impact The performance style was influenced by Cuban culture, jazz motives and even classical ballet.

Flamenco classification

Flamenco is usually divided into two large classes - traditional and modern.

Flamenco in Spain

The traditional flamenco of Andalusia is called "Kante hondo" (Spanish Cante hondo / jondo) or Kante grande (Spanish Cante grande), which in literal translation means a serious, high, dramatic style.

younger, modern flamenco called "Kante chico" (Spanish: Сante chico) - a small, lightweight style.

In both flamenco classes there are guitarists (Spanish guitarristas), dancers (Spanish bailarínes), singers (Spanish сantantes), but sometimes in Cante Jondo the dance can only be performed with singing, and in Cante Chico, on the contrary, they can a wide variety of musical instruments can be used.

Flamenco can be performed by one or more dancers.

Flamenco in Spain

Both classes of flamenco are divided into smaller genres and styles (in Spanish - Palos), of which there are several dozen. The difference between them can be so minimal that only professionals can attribute them to one genre or another.

Flamenco Attributes

Flamenco in Spain is held in special halls called tablao (Spanish: tablao). The tablaos are equipped with a stage and auditorium usually with tables.

Flamenco in Spain

The typical dress of a flamenco dancer, the bailaora, comes from the traditional dress of the gypsies and is called "bata de cola". A floor-length red dress, as a rule, is decorated with many frills or waves and has a puffy hem, which plays an important role in the dance. Also, a bailora dress can be sewn from polka dot fabric. As an accessory, a shawl with a long fringe, a fan or castanets can be used. It is worth noting that castanets are used quite rarely, as they limit the movement of the dancer's hands. Instead, the rhythm is beaten off with feet or claps.

A flamenco dancer, a bailaor, wears black trousers, a white shirt with a wide sash, and sometimes a short vest.

Flamenco on the Costa Blanca

Flamenco on the Costa Blanca is not as widespread as in its homeland in the Andalusia region. Nevertheless, famous Spanish bands often come here on tour. Their performances are held in various concert halls, for example, in Benidorm Palace in the city of Benidorm.

Flamenco in Spain

The schedule of events can be found on the website.

If you want to visit a real tablao, then you should go to the small town of Santa Pola, located near Alicante. Here it is tablao "Tablao Los Lunares" where you can enjoy a delicious dinner and flamenco.

Representation in Tablao Los Lunares in Santa Pola lasts about an hour and a half. During the show, at least four performers will perform in front of you - dancers, singers, musicians. Also, performances by invited guests often take place here.

Shows are held on Friday and Saturday at 23:30 and on Sunday at 22:00.

Ticket price:

Flamenco + drink: 12 euros

Flamenco + dinner: 27 euros.

website.

Tablao Los Lunares is located at: Avenida Escandinavia, 72. Gran Alacant (Santa Pola) CP 03130.

Also, flamenco can be seen near the city of Torrevieja, it is called "Villa Salada" and is open from May to September.

Concerts are held here not only traditional flamenco, but also performances with Andalusian horses.

Flamenco takes place every Thursday and Saturday, starting at 20:00. Flamenco + show with horses - every Friday at 20:00.

Ticket price for an adult starts from 10 to 55 euros depending on the type of show, location and menu availability.

Tickets can be purchased on the official website.

Villa Salada address: 3.3 km highway Torrevieja - Alicante (CV905), 5 minutes from Carrefour hypermarket.

When asked what flamenco is, many of us, without hesitation, will immediately answer: a Spanish dance in a polka dot dress. And they will be right only in part. Flamenco is much more than just a dance. This is a cry from the heart, an outlet for emotions. And emotions can be expressed by voice, movement, playing on musical instruments and even a look.

Andalusia is a melting pot, which for centuries has been filled with the most different nations. And flamenco is a “complaining book”, where each of them left his record.
Arabs expelled from the land that became their homeland; Jews forced to accept someone else's faith in order to save their lives; Gypsies who were subjected to constant persecution... They had to merge with another culture, lose traditions, and adapt to new realities. Their music has become a hidden protest against injustice, a complaint against fate, a longing for what has been lost... This is how flamenco was born.

Folk image a cheerful Andalusian dancer with a bright flower in her hair is only the outer, glossy side. But after listening to what is sung in flamenco, we will see the other side - completely sad and dramatic.

Although the origins of flamenco lie in the Moorish culture, the gypsies had the greatest influence on its formation. Arriving in the XV century. to Andalusia, they rethought the local musical traditions.
A kind of singing - cante - a lively dialogue, communication, improvisation, the "core" of flamenco. Gathered in the courtyard of the house, more like a shack, relatives and neighbors shared sorrows and joys, sang about fate and freedom, prison and death, love and betrayal. Flamenco started with cante, dance and guitar accompaniment came later.

From the backyards of the gypsy districts, flamenco is gradually entering the street. By the end of the XVIII century. it already resounds in the taverns and inns of the Andalusian roads. Appeared professional singers- cantaors who earned their living by singing sad songs. They are invited to weddings and other family events.

In Seville, in 1842, the first cafe "specializing" in flamenco opens. Soon such cafes, called cafes cantante, are everywhere and extremely popular. The audience appreciated the passion with which the songs were performed, the music resonated in the hearts of the Spaniards.

Cantante cafes turn into a kind of creative workshops, where the edges of flamenco art are honed, where it rises to heights never seen before.
The competition between singers, dancers and guitarists contributed to the development of various performing styles, genres and forms within flamenco.
The role of dance has increased: now there are songs (atras) specially designed for dance accompaniment.

The era of cafe cantante is the golden age of flamenco. Everything that was created then is a standard; everything that was created later is no longer considered "pure" flamenco.

But to late XIX in. cafes cantante begin to fall into disrepair. The highest income is brought by those establishments where customers themselves dictate the repertoire according to the principle "who pays, he orders the music." about any creative growth there were no performers to speak of. The content of the songs sank to outright vulgarity.

Kante has ceased to be the voice of the soul. Previously, the cantaor owed only to himself and his heart. Now his repertoire is "consumer pop". Flamenco song lyrics turn into a solid melodrama about unhappy love.
Sharp and rough voices leave the stage, giving way to more melodic and beautiful ones. This fracture occurs in last years centuries.
There are no strict rules in flamenco dance: the dancers improvise, echoing the surging feelings.

The audience has also changed. Born as the music of the poor and eternal wanderers, flamenco is becoming more and more popular among the "golden youth", who superficially perceive only its aesthetic side, as a genre that has neither history nor drama. Having settled in big cities, flamenco turns into a product of mass consumption, into an entertainment industry.
The transformation of flamenco into a spectacular performance could not but be reflected in its artistic level and purity of style. Flamenco was looking for a new form of expression and found it on the stages of large theaters and makeshift venues in bullrings. The history of flamenco began new era- the most criticized of all the time of its existence.
This direction was called flamenco opera, it was interesting in its own way, but the depth of flamenco expression was lost, and with it the spiritual content.

And on this we would put a fat end ... But the places where the true tradition of the cante continued to live survived. Many performers sought to maintain the purity of style. They were not professionals and kept their skills only for themselves and a narrow circle of connoisseurs.
Real flamenco sounded in some tavern without an accidental audience, its strength lay in the ability of the cantaor to enjoy his singing himself and convey all its depth to the audience. Giving away a piece of yourself. Thanks to such cantaors, the cante has been preserved in its traditional form to this day.

The year of the second birth of flamenco can be called 1922, when a group of enthusiasts organized a cante jondo festival. Kante hondo are especially emotionally expressive, dramatic, expressive songs. The festival collected genuine cante jondo tunes, discovered new talents and revived interest in ancient art flamenco.
Professionals were not allowed into the festival: the true spirit of flamenco involves feeling, not polished performance.

Romantic Granada turned out to be perfect place for the festival. For the first time, flamenco was spoken of as independent genre and folk art, and similar review competitions of amateur performances appeared in other cities.
In the image and likeness of the former cafe cantante, tablaos were created - cafes or small theaters with a stage for performances.
Singing is the core of flamenco. But there is no need to offend the dance with attention. Moreover, it is he who serves as one of the main brands of Spain all over the world. And flamenco is associated primarily with dance, or rather, with in a classic way flamenco dancers - bailaora. The signature detail of the image of bailaora, known to us from films and books - bata de cola - a traditional floor-length dress. Often made of multi-colored material with polka dots (although not necessarily), decorated with frills and flounces. The prototype of this dress was the clothes of gypsies. An elegant play with the hem is an integral part of the performance.
The Spanish shawl is an important attribute of the female flamenco dance. The shawl either twists around the dancer's waist, or falls off her shoulders, drawing the silhouette of a large and restless bird. And, of course, a flower in her hair.

traditional clothing male dancers - dark trousers, a belt and a white or dark shirt with wide sleeves. A short bolero vest called a "chaleko" is sometimes worn over a shirt. If a woman performs male dance she puts on a man's suit.

Zapateado - the rhythmic drumming sound of the heel and the sole of the boot on the floor - feature flamenco dance. Previously, the zapateado was performed only by male dancers, since such a technique requires considerable physical strength. And has long been associated with masculinity. Women's dance was more characteristic of the movements of the arms, wrists and shoulders.

Graceful hand movements express feelings, subconsciously greatly influencing the general perception of the dance by the audience. A kind of hypnosis.
It is believed that castanets are an indispensable element of flamenco dance. However, this is not the case: castanets are borrowed from classical Spanish dances. The purest forms of flamenco avoid the use of castanets: they limit the possibility of passionate and expressive playing of the hands.
A local saying goes: "Whoever talks about the guitar, talks about Andalusia."

The magic of flamenco is in the trinity of guitar, song and dance. The guitar here is not just an accompanist, but the creator of the atmosphere of inspiration so necessary for the singer.
Spain is the birthplace of the guitar. In Andalusia she became a favorite folk instrument as early as the 13th century, but the unification of the singer cantaor with the guitarist tokaor took place only in early XIX in.

At a party, on the street or in the square, as soon as someone had a guitar in their hands, people immediately gathered around, ready to sing and dance. Walking around the city, you could always meet a guitarist surrounded by dancing people.

Stendhal wrote: “Here comes an old beggar, sits down on a bench in front of the inn, tunes his guitar and begins to carelessly strum along the strings. A maid passing by with a jug on her head, hearing the sounds of a guitar, first steps measuredly to the beat of the chant, then begins to bounce, and finally, when she comes level with the blind man, she already dances with might and main, putting a jug of water on the ground.
The mule driver, who was crossing the yard in the distance, carrying a pack saddle, also laid down his burden and began to dance in his turn. Thus, in less than half an hour, 12 Spaniards were dancing around the blind guitarist.
They had little to do with others, not a glimpse of gallantry, everyone danced for their own pleasure. Such is the mysterious Spanish soul.

Most flamenco tokaors do not have musical literacy and do not know the notes. But thanks to their innate musicality, they create improvisations that overshadow the pre-rehearsed playing of the "classics".

Why did the guitar become the main instrument in flamenco? Let's just imagine a cante jondo song played on the piano... On the guitar, each note can be played in different ways, the guitarist creates them, the next note does not sound the same as the previous one. The guitar is close to the human voice in this: it can speak, sing, scream... It makes us perceive the same thing in different ways.

There is a known case when Glinka came to Spain to get acquainted with folk tunes. After talking with one of the well-known tokaors at that time, he wanted to record his works. But nothing came of it: every time he asked to repeat a phrase, the guitarist always played it in a new way.

Tokaors often perform solo. Paco de Lucia, the greatest guitarist of our time, first accompanied the cantaors, and then began to perform independently.

Now let's talk about where you can watch and listen to flamenco. Unlike bullfighting, there are plenty of options here. Arena not required, numerous creative teams mobile and ubiquitous. And if you are too lazy to look for flamenco, then it will find you. Right at the hotel. During the season, a "flamenco show" a couple of times a week will definitely be in yours. Only here you should not waste your precious resort time on it and lubricate the impression. Let them entertain the German pensioners. And we will go, excuse me, to the tablao.

As you already know, tablaos are cafes with a small stage where they perform flamenco. Sometimes quite rude. There are plenty of them on the coast, just tell the taxi driver the magic phrase "flamenco tablao". The guide can also suggest where it makes sense to go in the evening. Well, we will offer several addresses.

Malaga "Vista Andalucia"
Avenida Los Guindos, 29
www.vistaandalucia.com
El Tablao
Calle Arenas, 1
Marbella Donde Maria
Calle Vicente Blasco Ibanez, s/n
Tablao "Flamenco Ana Maria"
Plaza San Francisco, s/n
Torremolinos "Pepe Lopez"
Plaza de la Gamba Alegre
"Los Tarantos"
Avenida Playamar, 51
"La Carreta"
Urb. Eurosol, Local 93-95
Benalmadena "Fortuna Show"
This is not tablao at all, and not quite flamenco. The Spanish ballet is a beautiful and spectacular performance, recommended for a visit.

Seville flamenco festival emblem

Thoughtful and already theoretically trained readers will notice: this is probably also a "lubok" for tourists. Every day playing the same pros. And where is the improvisation on which flamenco is built? Where is suffering and creative flight?
Well, first of all, we are tourists. And secondly, for the first acquaintance with the art of flamenco is quite enough. And you don't have to go far.

Another thing of the feria is the holidays and traditional fairs, during which flamenco takes to the streets. Literally. Here there are amateur performances, and improvisation, and dance songs for your own pleasure.
The most grandiose feria takes place in April in Seville: the status of the capital obliges to keep the brand. In general, there are ferias even in the most provincial Andalusian town. After all, as the classic said, rest is not work.

Seville Sunday after Easter and two weeks after.
Cordoba From 19 to 27 May.
Granada First week of June.
Malaga From 14 to 25 August.
Rhonda First week of September.
Marbella Week "around" June 11th.
Fuengirola First week of October.

Well, if the ferias don’t please you, then the direct road is not festivals, competitions of talents, where real flamenco really sounds.
Biggest Festival flamenco in Spain takes place every two years, of course, in Seville (www.bienal-flamenco.org). True flamenco lovers come here from all over the world to see the best bailors, cantaors and tokaors. The event is so large-scale that it is comparable to the Olympics in the world of sports. In 2008 the festival will take place from 10 September to 11 October. Lucky to visit - we envy you.

See the schedule of other festivals at www.flamencofestival.info or www.flamenco-world.com - the largest flamenco portal on the Internet.

Flamenco is often confused with Sevillana, an incendiary Spanish folk dance. Many believe that this is one of the types of flamenco. The same bright dresses, castanets, roses in hairstyles ... And at fairs, most often they dance just the Sevillana. But even a spectator who is inexperienced in the intricacies of choreography will immediately see the difference: Sevillana - pair dance with a certain "drawing", and flamenco ... a state of mind.

The first dance dress for a girl in Andalusia can be bought as early as a year. In total, in their lifetime, some ladies manage to change up to 15 dresses worth 300–700 €. And although it is not often possible to flaunt in them, mainly during fairs, no one regrets the money spent.

Materials used in the article
flamenco-world.com and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.