Flamenco Music & Dance

Flamenco is an age-old Spanish tradition, just like paella and siestas, but is particularly prevalent in the area of Andalucia in southern Spain. During a Flamenco festival, you will see women dressed in typically bright flowing dresses, often with polka-dots and flowery overlapping hems. The men too dress smartly, while the dancing itself is a magical mixture of foot-tapping, arm swirling, and mournful passionate singing. Its exact origins are disputed. Many say it’s a tradition belonging to the gypsy people, while others still insist on an Arabic heritage, or an Indian Hindu lineage – many of the moves are reminiscent of Hindu dance today. A mixture of all of the above is probably nearer to the truth, as time and cultures evolve. That’s especially true of Andalucia, with its changing rulers over the years, all of whom have probably contributed to the flamenco dance and music. The Romans once conquered this area, and historical evidence reveals the presence of dancing Flamenco women at Roman feasts and shows. The hand-clapping and guitar music make for a particularly emotive dance, capable of transfixing an audience.

In more modern times, Flamenco has been taken a stage further. Artists like Paco de Lucia appeal to a mass modern audience while maintaining the core tradition. Paco is a world famous Flamenco singer from Sevilla, who has toured extensively throughout Europe, South America and the African continent. Meanwhile, Spanish film director Carlos Saura famously celebrated the culture of Flamenco with a movie in 1995 called, appropriately enough, Flamenco. It was a documentary featuring some of the world’s best Flamenco artists like Mario Maya, Enrique Morente, Joaquin Cortes, and of course, Paco de Lucia. For the non aficionado, Flamenco is an exciting visual affair which you can appreciate even if you’re not an expert. It really has to be seen in a ‘live’ setting, in an atmosphere that is difficult to reproduce in a recording studio. It’s the mood and the ambience, the communication between performers and audience, that makes for the best Flamenco evening. There is something magical abut Flamenco, your hair will stand on end and you will clap like you've never clapped before!

	Cancanilla and Chaparro A good example of how tradition lives besides modernity...		Delola Flamenco This Marbella band of 'New Famenco', shows how the traditional style is evolving..
	El Cigala - Lágrimas negras Selected as Best Record of 2007 by The New York Times.		Legendary Paco de Lucia A Spanish composer and guitarist, a leading proponent of the Modern Flamenco Style.
	Tomatito and Potito Taranta Discovered by Flamenco maestro Paco de Lucía and then began working with legendary Flamenco..		Carlos Saura Documentary This audio-visual gem contains performances by the greatest flamenco artists in recent memory....