My first public performance with a dancer

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Goldwinghai

Posts: 223
Joined: Mar. 17 2015
From: Virginia USA

My first public performance with a d...

This week is Hispanic Heritage week. The Flamenco dance teacher at the school I play for was invited by DHS (Department of Homeland Security) to perform at their facility for half an hour. The teacher asked me to guitar accompany her. We planned to do Solea, Farruca, Sevillanas, as well as castanets and palmas demonstrations. We rehearsed three times last week and were sort of ready to put on a show today.
We had problem even before we started. The teacher was stuck in traffic and we were at least 30 minutes late. I walked into the conference room where some 50-60 border control officers sat quietly waiting with stoic look on their faces. I went about my business, setting up the Headrush frfr108 powered amp, chair, microphone. No time to warm up. Our program was interrupted with a short award ceremony for several officers. As soon as we finished the Solea, we were told they had to go back to work since more planes would be landing soon. Farruca, our best piece saved for last was not played.
In short we played only twenty minutes. As for my part, I was calm; my fingers were not stiff from nervousness. Basically I am happy with my showing today not because I played great but because I did not choke and forget my music. In fact I think I missed some notes and played one extra sevillanas line and not in sync with the dancer at the Solea finish. (I just learned the Sevillanas a couple of weeks ago and did not trust my memory so I had to read the notation sheets while playing this piece.)
A couple of side notes: the dancer had to dance on a carpeted platform so her footwork was muffed, and I get paid for a few bucks.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 25 2019 23:19:06

flyeogh

Posts: 729
Joined: Oct. 13 2004

RE: My first public performance with... (in reply to Goldwinghai)

Well done that man. Baptism by fire but you came through it intact. And the good part, next time I doubt anything will phase you or come as a surprise

Shame about the Farruca - one of my favourites. But hopefully you can start with it next time just to play safe.

_____________________________

nigel (el raton de Watford - now Puerto de Santa Maria, Cadiz)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 26 2019 3:57:32

Goldwinghai

Posts: 223
Joined: Mar. 17 2015
From: Virginia USA

RE: My first public performance with... (in reply to flyeogh)

The dance teacher was booked for another show in January and she just asked me today if I would be interested doing this show. My simple answer is yes. So there is a goal, now I must practice and expand my knowledge of falsetas and compas variations.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 30 2019 3:00:59