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Hi from Granada My girlfriend and I havejust arrived in Granada, for just under two weeks, we are hoping to get some classes me - guitar , her- dance. Can anyone help with contacts.
Hmmmm. Guess it didn't work so I'm posting the text:
Hi Jim,
Flamenco in Granada.
On Thursday night the Peña in Granada is open to the public and worth a visit to see who is appearing. I was there last night to see El Melchor de Cordoba. There is also talk of a group of us getting the place on Friday nights to put on shows and talks about flamenco for the public. If that happens I'll let you know, but its worth going to the peña anyway to eat and sit on the terrace and find out what's going on. Some saturday nights are open as well.
I think the caves are worth a visit just to experience the Zambra. I have only been to one, owned by our friend Juanillo, La Venta del Gallo which I would recommend, in the heart of the Sacromonte. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Harold s going to sort out their sound system next week which will help a lot. The other is the Reina Mora at Mirador San Cristobal, they may even catch Ana Calí dancing there, which I am told is the best.
Apart from that it is worth checking out the tourist office in case there is flamenco at the main theatre, Isabel Catolica and also Teatro Alhambra, which has the wonderful series ' Flamenco viene del Sur' and has enabled us to see people like ' La Susi' 'Tomasito' "Tomatito" and more.
Then there are the smaller clubs. One is called The Upsetter on the River Darro in the Albaicin, small, cramped, smokey but you can catch El Niño de las Almendras there, or Jaime 'El Parrón' or my friend Pilar dancing with Marcos on guitar ( both teachers at teh Carmen Las Cuevas). They are good at advertising and there are always posters all over the place. Another is the Eshavira, my second home, again, cramped, smokey, late shows. Its to be found between Calle Elvira and Gran Via down a small alleyway, La Cuna de Postigo, if you find Hotel Athenas on Gran via go up the side of it and take a left down into what looks to be a building site. If in doubt ask. Shows are on late Sunday night, get there for 11 to get a good seat and dont move till midnight. They also have jazz on weds nights.
Hope this helps and that your friends have a good time. I just had visitors who fell in love with the whole ambience of Granada and saw their first flamenco show, a dancer Kiko Amaya, at the Eshavira. Coming from London they could not get over how friendly and open everyone was. Also as he is a drummer he was fascinated by the compás and soon fell in talking with the cajon players, in sign language of course :)
Thanks for posting that up Jim, it's a bit out of date for summer when things close down, such as The Eshavira, well the bar itself is open but no shows are happening. Right now and all of Auguts Mario Maya's show is on at the carlos V in the Alhambra. I went the other night as many friends are in it, Emilo Maya, El Moreno, Juan Angel Tirado, Rafa and Rafaela Habichuela. I took a friend from London who enjoyed it a lot. Juan Andrés Maya is the principal dancer. My favourite part was when Rafaela, the singer, dances with death.
As for classes Fergus ask at Carmen las Cuevas. I now that Emilio and Ana are too busy for classes right now but you can get contacts for most teachers from Las Cuevas. Anders may have some ideas for guitar teachers. Also ask Simon about Alberto, he should have his number or can call me to get it.
Hope to see you if we get a chance but I'm off to the coast with my family for a nice break by the sea.
Emilio is definitely busy throughout August, but call him and he may recommend someone else. I suggested Alberto , do you have his number Simon, if not email me privately for it.
Some other flamenco events not mentioned in the above post are the summer shows, you;ll find flamenco throughout August/ Sept at the Festival del Corral del Carbon and also Noches de Flamenco de Albaicín. Ask at the tourist office for details.
There's also a flamenco photography exhibition at the Centro de Sacromonte by Christian Bamal, a French photographer who has taken some fabulous fotos of Emilio and friends which we use for publicity.
Un fortunately I don't know much about teachers. I haven't had classes for years myself. But everyone speaks well about Alberto, so give it a try. At this time of the year, Carmen de las Cuevas should be the best for dance classes.
You can call me (958 485 118) if you feel like comming to Quentar and see my workshop. We can do a few bulerias and stuff as well.
i agree if you go to granada you should go to eshavira, the upsetter, pena la plateria emilio maya has a great reputation as a teacher and he plays verrrrrrrrrry good (you can listen to his disc temple) another good theacher for flamenco guitar is salvador roman a gipsy guy teaches a good technique i have his address for dancing i know there is a cave called la buleria in sacramonte i can give you more details if someone wants you can write me a message bye