Dance!

Flamenco is in the blood of these people. The gypsies began a tradition of song and dance that now characterizes Spain in many minds. I am in a class that focuses on the history and anthropology of the art, including the song, dance, and guitar. And while I was entertained by it long before I began to look at its significance, now I am even more enthralled and mesmerized by Flamenco performances.

I attended a fabulous show featuring a very young and successful Flamenco singer last week. The stage was dark besides the two spots shining on the two chairs and microphones. Juan Carmona “Habichuela” (Everyone in Flamenco goes by a name other than his or her given name. I’m wondering if this is where rap picked that up?) comes on stage to sing to a rapt audience. This crowd is young, and they are excited to be there. While the room is relaxed, there is a feeling of expectancy and excitement for what is to come. There is a familial feeling as he begins to sing. It as if we could be sitting on the deck together on a warm summer evening, or gathered in the family room near a fire. Take your pick of location, but this is about community. All around the theater, people are shouting out ay o olé. These ayeos are called out from the audience, eliminating the barrier between performer and audience. Random, and yet, frequent, these ayeos allow the audience to become apart of the performance. At one point, there is banter between audience members that is answered by the performer himself. Time stops during the performance. At one point, he even sings the Beatles song, “Yesterday”- Flamenco-style. I do not know how I could ever describe that to you besides using the word incredible. The performance comes to an end in a flourish, but far too soon. The audience was reluctant to go; leaving something so welcoming and comfortable can be difficult. Flamenco is far more than song and dance. It is a unique, true expression of this place, and it pulses fervently through the blood of these people.