Research Exchange to Catalonia (Full Version)

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rombsix -> Research Exchange to Catalonia (Mar. 29 2007 17:10:13)

Hey mateys,

I am going to a one-month-long research exchange to Catalonia, Spain. I was thinking of taking a flamenco masterclass there, and engaging in as many "flamenco-related" activities as possible (going to shows, whatever stuff related to flamenco). Thinking of hopefully buying a flamenco guitar too, but I feel that it would not be worth buying one for less than 1000 USD ... So I guess I should just stick to the Ramirez R1 (modded classical) that I have, or maybe go for a Yamaha CG-171SF (coz I just can't pay a grand for a flamenco guitar, and I don't think it would be very meaningful to buy a 400 or 500 or 600 USD flamenco guitar from Spain (if there is such a thing to start with, like a Sanchis or sthg of that caliber, if any)).
So what are your words of wisdom? Any masterclasses in Catalonia (like that of Gerardo's for example, which I think is not held in Catalonia, but I was just referring to a similar class by another teacher somewhere in Catalonia)? I know these questions may be too general or vague, but I just want to orient myself as much as possible for me to then ask more specific questions once I get the details about where and when (concerning my departure to Spain, and location of stay), and more specific stuff. Thanks tons!



rombsix -> RE: Research Exchange to Catalonia (Mar. 30 2007 21:52:06)

Shu khayyi? Nobody wanna answer?



koella -> RE: Research Exchange to Catalonia (Mar. 30 2007 22:15:37)

I don't know, but Catalonia doesn't seem a place to encounter flamenco's.
I have a friend from Catalonia. He only knows sevillanas and ( I'm not joking )
bagpipe music from there
[&:]



rombsix -> RE: Research Exchange to Catalonia (Mar. 31 2007 1:25:14)

damn ... so where close to catalonia should I go? (I understand catalonia is sort of a province ... not just a city ... so it include barcelona and some other cities. Am I right? if so, where else nearby can I go to get some flamenco interaction?



guitarbuddha -> RE: Research Exchange to Catalonia (Mar. 31 2007 3:02:08)

Bagpipes in catalonia Koella ? Surely galicia and the basque country ? The traditional instruments are shaum and sackbut reed instruments like the Tenor. They have zapataedo there but it's the one that goes lalala lalala me ri ca.
Albeniz was Catalan, I cycled through his birthtown in the pyrenees. People are warm the mountains are beautuful and hotels are cheap and friendly.

Doesn't Manuel Granados teach in Barcelona ? I don't know him but I met a pupil of his returning from a trip there. That might be your best bet if you try and get in touch with him before you go.

Good luck, David.



koella -> RE: Research Exchange to Catalonia (Mar. 31 2007 6:58:14)

Yes I know , the bagpipes are in the neighbour provinces. But it was funny to mention them .[:D]

I didn't know Barcelona was a city in Catalonia. They have many flamenco's there I believe. It's a big beautiful city. Gerundino63 has been there last year. pm him.

Btw Asturias ( < composition by Albeniz) is a city in catalonia.



XXX -> RE: Research Exchange to Catalonia (Mar. 31 2007 7:53:32)

quote:

ORIGINAL: koella

Btw Asturias ( < composition by Albeniz) is a city in catalonia.



Are there two Asturiasses? The one i know is a region around oviedo.
And Barcelona is the capital of catalonia.

@romb: I was told, you have to search, if you want to find "real" flamenco. Its usually played in little "tablaos". If Manuel Granados is there i would definitely take the chance.



Estevan -> RE: Research Exchange to Catalonia (Mar. 31 2007 13:50:41)

quote:

I understand catalonia is sort of a province ... not just a city


Ramzi, it seems the first part of your resarch is to find out where you are going![:D]
For many people who live there, Catalunya is not just a province but a separate country (as it was historically). One thing that would help you is to learn the basics of pronunciation of the Catalan language so that you can at least recognize and say place names and addresses.

There are a lot of well known flamenco performers from Catalunya, (e.g. Duquende, Canizares, Chicuelo, Montse Cortes, Miguel Poveda, Ginesa Ortega, Mayte Martin, Carles Benavent, Juaneke, etc.) and it seems there's quite a bit happening in Barcelona.

Someone made a list of:
Barcelona Flamenco schools

And this place might be worth a look; it tells you something about the history of flamenco in the region:
Flamenco Barcelona



guitarbuddha -> RE: Research Exchange to Catalonia (Mar. 31 2007 14:08:36)

Catalonia starts in the South of France ( including the unfriendly and racist Perpingan and its sattelites ) and stretches down to the Costa Brave. Large cities like Badalona, Barcelona, Tarregona and Reus are on the coast and are almost as expemsive as smaller French cities. As you work further inland and also into the mountains the prices and quality of accomodation get more and more attractive.

You would probably find it quite difficult to find flamenco or indeed any guitar playing outside of the main cities. Flamenco simply is not part of the Catalan tradition. I take cycing holidays in the Pyrenees regularly and have never met anyone anywhere playing guitar in an interesting way in Catalonia .
When I was there the first time I hoped every night as I pitched a tent in the countryside that I would hear some cool guitar playing. Beatles from Belgian tourists and Bob Dylan from the locals if I was lucky. There are touristy flamenco shows in a club in town but you are unlikely to get much change out of these guys.

So maybe arrange some lessons in Barcelona with someone like Granados ( I've heard he is an excellent teacher and if he is too busy maybe he can reccomend one of his students to you) before you go and stay outside of the main cities to save money. If you expect to find a vibrant flamenco scene with semiprofessional exchanging ideas with you for free then it seems really unlikely. But if you do then plaese tell me where you found them so I can look next time.

Best of luck .

David.



Escribano -> RE: Research Exchange to Catalonia (Mar. 31 2007 15:41:30)

You should find some Rumba Catalan in Saint Marie La Mer, over the border in the Camargue area of France. There is a thriving gitano culture there but I have never been. Otherwise it will be in Barcelona where Miguel Povada comes from:

http://barcelonatips.wordpress.com/2006/12/04/live-flamenco-in-barcelona-best-flamenco-schools/



koella -> RE: Research Exchange to Catalonia (Mar. 31 2007 21:29:23)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Deniz

Are there two Asturiasses? The one i know is a region around oviedo.
And Barcelona is the capital of catalonia.


Sorry, I must be wrong,my catalonion friend told me so.
Thanks for correcting me. Just don't act like you knew this all along. You just looked it up on the internet.
[8|]



rombsix -> RE: Research Exchange to Catalonia (Apr. 1 2007 9:05:46)

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'll be sure to do some searching online to find out some more; it's just that I was busy with school and wanted to get a first exposure so as to know what to look for now that I'm taking my spring break. Gracias.



XXX -> RE: Research Exchange to Catalonia (Apr. 1 2007 9:33:59)

quote:

ORIGINAL: koella

quote:

ORIGINAL: Deniz

Are there two Asturiasses? The one i know is a region around oviedo.
And Barcelona is the capital of catalonia.


Sorry, I must be wrong,my catalonion friend told me so.
Thanks for correcting me. Just don't act like you knew this all along. You just looked it up on the internet.
[8|]


No, i only knew that it was totally wrong what you said, but i didnt 100% know where they lie geographically. I thought Asturias would be in the near of Madrid. Thus i looked it up to be sure. No problem.



gerundino63 -> RE: Research Exchange to Catalonia (Apr. 1 2007 23:09:26)

Hi Rombsix

I went a few times to Cataluña and to Barcelona, find two things worth wile.

One is a very tiny shop called Flamenco with flamenco stuff, books video, cajon etc. in Barcelona
Not so much, but worth while to take a look.
But the fun of this shop is, that in the back is a curtain, and behind the curtain they made a litte place to give very small performings.
No tourists!
I asked the owner, and he told me there where performings on tuesday wednesday thursday friday and saturday.
entrance 10 euro, one drink free.

The performers are from the old gipsy shantytown of Somorrosto that was in the past between Barcelona and the Cemetery of Pueblo Nuevo.

I was invited for a frendsconcert, the performing was mediair, but the ambiance was very nice, and not comercial.
the adres is: Marques de Barbera 6
If you walk on the Rambla, it is the street beside the gran teatre del Liceu
called Calle Union, walk in the street, and you see it at your right hand.
( The name of the street chaince in marques de barbera)


On the Rambla is also a tablao flamenco called Los Tarantos ( near the harbour)
Plaza real 17
Never been ther though..

There is not much interest in Cataluña for flamenco, it is something from the south, and Catalans are not so fond of Spain in general. (Although the majority of people come from Andalucia and the rest of Spain and settled in Cataluña to work)

Well, enjoy your stay!

Peter



rombsix -> RE: Research Exchange to Catalonia (Apr. 2 2007 7:43:21)

Thanks a ton Peter. I'll try to visit these places when I go there.



frhout -> RE: Research Exchange to Catalonia (Apr. 2 2007 7:51:21)

For music or even information, why not try Casa Luthier at c/Balmes, Barcelona, at the end of La Rambla, near all the big shops www.casaluthier.com.



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