Must Knows of Flamenco

If you’re planning to go to Spain, going to a Flamenco Show must be in your to-do list, but before paying a pricey ticket for something you don’t know at all, stop for a moment and read these bits of advice.

Together with bullfights, sangria and paella, flamenco is one of the most popular things a tourist visiting Spain would love to try, but I have to admit the popularity of all of the above depends on what region in Spain you travel to. That’s why if you are eager to find out more about flamenco, tapas and bullfights my recommendation is you look for one of the Seville apartments where the 3 enjoy great popularity.

Flamenco is a genre of music, song and dance from the region of Andalusia, noted for its energetic and staccato style. Its origin are Andalusian and Romani music and dance styles, and in recent years has become so popular that on November 2010 UNESCO declared Flamenco one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Flamenco emerged from basic songs that “cantaores” (flamenco singers) interpreted as a hobby at family gatherings. But starting in the second half of the nineteenth century, they also started to sing on theatres and cabarets of Andalusian cities such as Cadiz, Seville and Jerez de la Frontera, and the singers began to enjoy the fame of true artists, developed new songs and added elements such as the guitar and dancing to their performance as part of the artistic expression of flamenco.

At the moment, flamenco occurs in four settings: the juerga, in small-scale cabaret, concert venues, and in the theatre.

The juerga is an informal, spontaneous gitano gathering, like a jazz jam session. This can include dancing, singing, palmas (hand clapping), or simply pounding in rhythm on an old orange crate or a table.

The “tablaos” are establishments that developed during the 1960s throughout Spain and that host flamenco shows. The tablaos may have their own company of performers for each show and are one of the best places to see the true essence of this art and understand what flamenco is all about.

The professional concerts are more formal: they usually include two or three guitars, one or more singers (singing in turns), and one or more dancers. One of the singers may play the cajón (a wooden box drum played with the hands), and all performers join in palmas (the typical hand clapping).

Finally, there is the theatrical presentation of flamenco, which is now an extended and sophisticated performance in its own right, comparable to a performance of ballet.

There are many Andalusian scenarios that are dedicated to flamenco in its various forms. So, watching a live flamenco show while staying in one of the apartments in Seville is very easy.

Some of the sites where you can attend a flamenco show in Seville are the following:

Tablaos

Flamenco bars

Last tips

It is usual to use the voices “Arza” and “Ole” when cheering for flamenco singers and dancers during their performance. So don’t be surprised and if you feel like it, join the crowd! I’m sure you will have one of the most unforgettable experiences of your life.