Ryan002 -> RE: Flamenco Performance. Is this worth watching? (Feb. 2 2006 15:41:26)
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First off, let me just point out that ANY major Flamenco activity in S.E. Asia will be organized by Japan and not any other country in the vicinity. Japan has a flamenco scene that rivals Spain and Latin America. Secondly, Singapore is not as much a flamenco deset as most people think. Usually it is because very few people approach the older Eurasian guitarists about this, many of whom know rudiments of Flamenco. Also, some of us have been trained by Fillipino instructors, who have strong Spanish influences and do recognize this form of music. Our greatest generation of musicians, the now vanished Golden Venus legends like Rotting Bodies, Stray Dogs, etc. are rumored to have encountered Flamenco as far back as the 60's, if you can find any to ask (besides Siva Choy, who is the only remaining celebrity of the era). Dance Circle studios does, I believe, have Spanish instructors teaching Flamenco dance. Thirdly, I think we should accept that Flamenco in S.E. Asia is an import, will be slightly localized, and therefore will never resemble exactly native Spanish flamenco. Nor should it. We should of course be fully conscious of the "non-original" implements we add, but at the same add our own flavour to it. Attempting to *be* Spanish is pretentious and deceitful, because ultimately we are not and never will be. We may lack the superior rhythmic sense of our European counterparts, but most of us have a grasp of dynamics and melody that is innate, that can be contributed. Lastly, please support any flamenco activity or even interest in flamenco. We are not devoid of it but still at the point where we need the growing interest. Should it take root here, all of us will benefit. [&:]
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