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Posts: 2006
Joined: Jul. 12 2004
From: San Francisco
Baile today
It's been a long time since I was involved with my local dance scene but it was interesting how dancers would develop different concepts to offer their audience. As someone who prefers straight flamenco, I was not really into it when this happened, no matter if I was playing or just watching.
I do understand why they do it-keeps things interesting for them and maybe sells some tickets. I've been seeing a lot of vidoes from Corral de la Moreria and they feature a lot of modern dancers.
In particular Eduardo Guerrero, Patricia Guerrero(not sure if they are related) and Belen Lopez come to mind. EG is flat out strange to me, but I love PG. BL is hit or miss for me.
I've noticed that many Spanish posters were brutal in their critique of these artists, who are obviously highly skilled. PG received a lot of praise along with the negative comments but the other two not so much. It's not surprising as their dance is very different from many traditional dancers.
What was interesting to me was that I saw a video of Pastora Galvan doing something that was equally strange. At one point she was lying on the ground. But the comments on her presentation were all very very positive.
Patricia Guerrero is fantastic. I saw her some 15 years ago when she was performing with Tomatito's group, but she seems to have become one of the most recognised dancers since. I'm a fan of Mercedes Ruíz, she's very versatile and a genuinely super nice person as well. Most of those I used to like are probably retired or teaching only :D
Modern flamenco has had a significant influence from German Tanztheater as well as Spanish surrealism. The German influence is via Pina Baush who had a direct connection with Eva Yerbabuena. Israel Galvan also cites Pina Baush as an significant influence.
I don't usually post about baile here. The foro is generally even less open to baile than cante! Though I am a baile aficionado (more so than of guitar). Israel Galvan is a great artist who transcends flamenco. Even when abstract from flamenco, when you see him perform he has flamenco so deeply in him it is always there.
I saw Eduardo Guerrero years ago when he was more straight ahead and he was great. He is hit and miss in his experimentation. Patricia Guerrero is much more successful in hers. I've seen her several times, both more straight ahead flamenco and her more abstract creations which I think are very good. Her choreography has something real to say, she's not just experimenting for the sake of it.
It seems that baile is the only living part of flamenco these days, cante now a museum piece, the guitar at a dead end unable to get past Paco de Lucia? Yerai Cortes is trying something similar with guitar as the dancers, but his proposition so far seems like it's turning out to be one dimensional and superficial. Listening to Paco Cepero's current playing, or Jose de Pura shows that up.
Here are a few of the other current artists that I personally rate, but remember I like baile!
Águeda Saavedra Mercedes de Córdoba Alfonso Losa Gema Moneo Fuensanta Farruquito and family Karime Amaya Macarena Ramirez Maria Moreno Belen Lopez Saray la pitita Beatriz Morales Pastora Galvan Claudia "La Debla" has potential Ana Morales Adela Campallo Manuela Carrasco Hija has potential
Thanks for your post! Belen is solid but she can get a bit over the top imo. She does that galloping horse step and it is technically cool, but visually not flattering IMO. Claudia does have potential. I loved Pastora when she was a kid-I had an opportunity to play for a workshop she did when she came to my town with her father. Then she put on the apron for a while, which was interesting. But this rolling around on the floor thing I don't understand. I have seen very little of her brother, and I have to admit it was too far out for me.
But I'm not versed in German Tanztheater or Spanish surrealism so perhaps I don't have the foundation of experience to understand some modern flamenco dance. I love Eva but I'm not someone who follows dance closely so I haven't seen a ton of her work. It may be unpopular but I'm not that crazy about Farruquito's style. I did really enjoy Farruco though. I prefer a guy like Juan Ramirez to the current Farruco school.
I remarked to a friend that when you turn down the music, a lot of flamenco dance looks ridiculous. He pointed out that was hardly fair, and I agree. But it's also true that some dance looks great without accompaniment.
I will check out some of the dancers you recommended that I haven't seen.
You know there's some Internet videos you've seen through your life you wish you'd never seen.. Bare knuckle fighter killed, Indian bloke electrocuted on train track, old man squashed by truck.... rocio molinas chair dance.
Yes devilhand, the chair has been an important tool in the flamenco performers repertoire. Since records began its been used for erm sitting on.... and err.... oh resting drinks on and...erm
I saw Rebeca Ortega on Saturday evening in West London. She's on a short tour with Ramon Ruiz. I have seen Rebeca a few times with Ramon. I really like her style, it seems traditionalish but with a few modern twists. I am very far from expert on baile but I could watch her for hours.
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