This post is to test my lightbox code in WordPress, which should be compatible across all major browsers. Image(s) should open in a lightbox when user clicks on the thumbnail. These are both from live performances of my troupe Flamenco Pasión!

Some real variety in store for flamenco-lovers in London again this year with the Sadler’s Wells Flamenco Festival in March. The programme contains a wide range of styles and approaches. The pick of the bunch for me is the wonderful Miguel Poveda, the singer who in my view best combines the soul and scorching emotion of “traditional” flamenco cante with modern ideas and nuances. The concert on 10th March featuring Poveda as well as the equally fabulous Carmen Linares has got to be an unmissable treat.

Those of you who share my luddite love of old-style flamenco music and dance will also have to make a beeline to see Los Farruco (7th – 9th March).  No formation dancing from lovelies in matching dresses here!

Shows in this season

• Monday 03 March 2008 – Thursday 06 March 2008
  Compañía María Pagés
• Friday 07 March 2008 – Sunday 09 March 2008
  Los Farruco
• Saturday 08 March 2008
  Marina Heredia
• Sunday 09 March 2008
  Juan Carlos Romero Trio
• Monday 10 March 2008
  Carmen Linares, Miguel Poveda, Juan Carlos Romero and Pastora Galván
• Tuesday 11 March 2008 – Wednesday 12 March 2008
  Mujeres: Merche Esmeralda, Belén Maya, Rocío Molina
• Thursday 13 March 2008
  Israel Galván
• Friday 14 March 2008
  Concha Buika
• Saturday 15 March 2008
  Rafaela Carrasco
• Sunday 16 March 2008
  Viva Jerez!

SADLER’S WELLS THEATRE, ROSEBERY AVENUE, LONDON EC1R 4TN
Tickets   £10 – £38    Ticket office: 0844 412 4300

Is anyone still using spot material, or is it completely out of fashion?

Technorati Tags: flamenco, flamenco skirts, flamenco dresses, flamenco costume, dress material

I’ve run a number of flamenco sessions for children with various special needs – working in particular over a number of years with one school where the students have a very wide range of physical and educational needs.

The sensory nature of flamenco tends to give all the kids something of value (the colour and movement of the costumes; the sound and feel of shoes, castanets and cajon; the tactile feel of the fabrics, shawls and fringing; the movement and feel of dance fans; the vibrations of the guitar music). more…

During the whole of my time in flamenco (learning, performing and teaching) I have looked for a fool-proof method of writing some of the steps down. Nothing doing. I have managed to put down the steps to the sevillanas that I teach in a way that others seem to understand (…..it looks terrifying on paper!), but have never been able to capture the real complexity of flamenco dance steps and movements, an ex-student devised a magnificent spreadsheet on his computer that showed front, back, diagonal, toe, full foot, heel dig, heel drop, and even a further line for arms.

Magnificent it was, but incomprehensible to anyone else!

I have a sheet of paper that has the scribbled mumblings of the first dance that I ever learned in Spain.  It was a wonderful caña, of which I remember almost nothing and which I would love to rediscover.  No chance with my notes – they clearly meant something at the time, but not now.

What do others do?  Perhaps I have been superceded with modern technology now, and you all just record onto your mobile phones?

Technorati Tags: flamenco, flamenco teaching, flamenco performing, flamenco dance, dance steps