We've seen a lot of very strange (some might say, very original) shows over the past couple of weeks, ranging from the traditional flamenco cuadro (i.e., not strange at all), to some multimedia, conceptual-fusion-modern-artsy-shock-valuey concoctions that seemed to have no other purpose than to serve as conversation starters over beer and tapas.
Overall, even the weirdest of them all has had at least one redeeming quality, at least one little element that said, "yes, this is flamenco and this is why this show made the cut for this festival."
But tonight's show was... Wow. Tonight's show was modern and cheeky and playful and, still, it was traditional and elegant and classy. It was the most tangible proof that you don't need to do anything weird or completely off the cuff to modernize something traditional. And you don't need to modernize for the sake of modernizing.
Jerez-born Mercedes Ruiz is my idol. I got to see her perform when I was here last, four years ago, and it was a fabulous show. Very traditional, though. Her show tonight was also very traditional, but it had touches, elements of modernity that complemented it, enriched it, without being jarring at all. They were just there, and you didn't even notice them after a while.
Anyway, should head off to bed now. I still have classes tomorrow and the day after (and, yay, the choreography's taking shape!). Anyone curious about flamenco and/or about the Festival de Jerez should check out www.flamenco-world.com for reviews and photos and clips.
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