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If so, are there any particular dancers whom you like?
I'm curious as to how people will answer these questions. Some become interested in flamenco guitar exclusively because of the guitar. My story is a little different. After years of playing other styles (i.e. rock, metal, and hard core on electric; then classical; and then steel string acoustic) I became burnt-out on the instrument and stopped playing altogether. Then I saw a flamenco performance. I was immediately drawn to the distinct sound of flamenco guitar. But I was also fascinated by an art form that combines guitar, dance, and rhythm in a dynamic way. (I didn't really like cante at first, but I've since come around).
So, I take an interest in dance and sometimes seek it out for inspiration. Here's one clip I to which I return somewhat frequently -- Eva Yerbabuena. I'm no expert on dance, but she looks like she's kicking a$$ at 3:40. The whole clip's worth watching, though.
Posts: 6447
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy
RE: Do you like flamenco dance? (in reply to machopicasso)
I like the ensemble of old ladies dancing a Fin de Fiesta bulerías. They all look like my old neighbour in Spain, Maria. In her apron and polishing her mother's lamp. That is my less stylised view of flamenco dance.
RE: Do you like flamenco dance? (in reply to machopicasso)
I may be shallow but I'm really just a fan of virtuoso footwork. La Paloma is incredible, there's some cool casa patas vids of her. Out here in LA my buddy Manuel Guiterrez tears it up pretty good.
RE: Do you like flamenco dance? (in reply to Leñador)
quote:
I may be shallow but I'm really just a fan of virtuoso footwork
Well, you said it
I am with Escribano here: in Cádiz, people who follow popular trends love Sara Baras. The flamencos love Patricia Valdés who gave up her career to marry Antonio Reyes and become a gitana super mama. Patri has more arte raising one arm than Sara has in a whole show.
I have a gitano friend, Miguel, whose job is horse training. I have seen him in a juerga, rising slowly to his feet, then raising his arms slowly: a pause, then a rapid desplante. No more is necessary. Incredible.
Arte is arte, technica is just technica. Still. el libro de gustos es blanco
Posts: 233
Joined: Apr. 7 2005
From: Adelaide, Australia
RE: Do you like flamenco dance? (in reply to machopicasso)
I'm married to a dancer so I'm never too far from that world. My favorites ATM are Pastora Galvin and Rafael Campallo - both have a way of seeming super relaxed but they can still bring a lot of powerful emotion when needed.
RE: Do you like flamenco dance? (in reply to orsonw)
Thanks for posting that clip of Rocio Molina.
She's an extraordinary dancer. But I'm almost tempted to say she's first and foremost a percussionist whose principal medium is dance.
The palmas in this video are impressive.
Question: Does anyone know the deal with the box? I've seen her dance in it before, and I get the added percussive possibilities afforded by little "walls" near the feet. But is she the first to do this, or is there a tradition of this in flamenco dance?