Tonight we went to an “authentic” flamenco show with our friend, Josecarlos. Apparently the shows in Sevilla are not as real as the ones in the little towns because there aren’t tourists in the smaller places. This makes sense… :)It was so awesome. I think, for me, it was especially wonderful because I was a flamenco dancer for Halloween when I was little; the polka dotted dress with frills and all. I have looked forward to coming to Spain and seeing the flamenco shows for so many years now and even though I’ve been here for two months, I still can’t believe that I’m actually here. Sometimes things feel routine and other times I feel like I have to pinch myself.
Okay so it was cool because of what I was feeling but also because I was blown away by the breath support it takes to sing in the style of flamenco. The men held phrases longer than any singer I have ever heard. Seriously. It was so intense and impressive,
not to mention the guitar playing. The rhythms are so unique and hard to catch because they change so much and their fingers move so quickly. There are distinct types of rhythms in flamenco and 
they announce which one they will be playing before they start.I love that not only is it a style of music that so very much represents the culture and heritage of Spain, but it is a challenging style to conquer technically, as well. I do think it makes a larger impact if seen in person.
I've been wondering about where the castanets were, though. This is the third flamenco show I've seen now, 2 in Sevilla and now this (real) one. I thought the dancers always used castanets
while they danced but it seems like the clapping noises that the castanets made is found in the rhythm that is clapped 
with the shoes and the hands instead. I need to learn the Spanish word for castanets so I can ask someone about this… :)
2 comments:
Voy a resolver tu duda:
"Castanets" se dice "castañuelas"...
Un beso.
have you thought of our outing in scottsdale when you went to see the real thing in spain? :)
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