It's been sunny again.
:-)
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The best show so far!
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.
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.
Really, I'm NOT a shoe person. Really.
Those who know me, know it's true: I don't usually go out of my way to get cute shoes. For the most part, I wear simple, comfy shoes, even (or especially?) for work. Seriously, I own two pairs of heels. Well, three, if you count my chunky-heeled boots.
But when it comes to flamenco shoes... Well, it would appear all bets are off. Sadly, flamenco shoes are considerably more expensive than [some] regular shoes. And, happily, they're a lot more more useful to me, more comfortable and bring a greater amount of joy and hours of wear than a regular cutesy pair of heels will never bring [to me].
Three pairs. I've bought three pairs of flamenco shoes. I didn't need three. I needed one. One basic, goes-with-everything, black pair. Well, I got that alright. Then there were the dark blue suede with the hourglass heel and the double straps (see picture below). And the secret longing for a pair with crossed straps. Well, the longing has been satisfied. I am now the proud owner of a pair of burgundy leather cross-strap, extra high heel flamenco shoes (regular heel = 5 cm; extra high = 7 cm). They're so comfy (seriously)! Because of the higher heel, I was a bit shocked at how comfortable they were when I tried them on. Anyway, they're lovely, they're mine and they're my first ever non-suede flamenco shoes. (I'd post a picture, but my camera battery is charging).
I'm shopped out now. (But never flamencoed-out! Or at least, not yet). I might still get myself some funky material to make a new dress, but other than that, I'm cut off. Otherwise, my credit card is going to self-destruct.
But when it comes to flamenco shoes... Well, it would appear all bets are off. Sadly, flamenco shoes are considerably more expensive than [some] regular shoes. And, happily, they're a lot more more useful to me, more comfortable and bring a greater amount of joy and hours of wear than a regular cutesy pair of heels will never bring [to me].
Three pairs. I've bought three pairs of flamenco shoes. I didn't need three. I needed one. One basic, goes-with-everything, black pair. Well, I got that alright. Then there were the dark blue suede with the hourglass heel and the double straps (see picture below). And the secret longing for a pair with crossed straps. Well, the longing has been satisfied. I am now the proud owner of a pair of burgundy leather cross-strap, extra high heel flamenco shoes (regular heel = 5 cm; extra high = 7 cm). They're so comfy (seriously)! Because of the higher heel, I was a bit shocked at how comfortable they were when I tried them on. Anyway, they're lovely, they're mine and they're my first ever non-suede flamenco shoes. (I'd post a picture, but my camera battery is charging).
I'm shopped out now. (But never flamencoed-out! Or at least, not yet). I might still get myself some funky material to make a new dress, but other than that, I'm cut off. Otherwise, my credit card is going to self-destruct.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Gathering two of each animal species
Who made the brilliant assertion that "the rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain"? 'Cause, unless Jerez de la Frontera is on a plain, that's a whole lot of bullpoop (sorry, Mom). I'm not an expert on Spanish topography, but I do think plains are flat, and the stone-paved streets of Jerez are a bit too slopey to be considered "flat."
Ramble ramble ramble... Yes, it's raining again. Hard. And I mean West Coast-hard. Worse, because there's no grass around here to absorb the water, so those lovely, quaint, stone-paved streets become veritable rivers (waterfalls in parts). But that's ok. It's still mild, it's still picturesque, it's still full of flamenco. And I'm still on vacation. So, who needs dry feet?
A happy knee, on the other hand...
Ramble ramble ramble... Yes, it's raining again. Hard. And I mean West Coast-hard. Worse, because there's no grass around here to absorb the water, so those lovely, quaint, stone-paved streets become veritable rivers (waterfalls in parts). But that's ok. It's still mild, it's still picturesque, it's still full of flamenco. And I'm still on vacation. So, who needs dry feet?
A happy knee, on the other hand...
Monday, March 7, 2011
Another good one!
Okay, the show on Saturday night was pretty good. Isabel Bayón is, in my opinion, a very elegant bailaora and her show seemed to have just the right balance of traditional flamenco and modern artistic touches.
In sharp contrast, the show last night was just plain weird. The only good thing about it--mind you, it was a very good thing!--was Joaquín Grilo's guest appearance... Man, can that guy dance! As far as I'm concerned, and Carolyn emphatically agrees, he stole the show. (Plus, bonus points for sexiness--Carolyn also emphatically agrees)
It's just such a rare, fantastic treat to see such good talented male flamenco dancers! It's a pity you hardly ever get to see that in Canada.
Anyways, on to tonight's show, which turned out to be my second favourite so far (the first was La Farruca, the second, Isabel Bayón)...
To think I hadn't even heard of the dancer, Olga Pericet. She's a tiny bit of a thing, clearly classically trained, but can she ever flamenco! It's not that the dancing in Saturday's show, for example, was not technically good... It's just... it didn't do anything for me. In the meantime, tonight's show just touched me, made me feel something inside. And that's what I love about flamenco... The way it can move me, stir something within... I suppose it's really the same with all types of art... But for some reason, flamenco somehow makes this more tangible.
Looking forward to tomorrow's show. Manuela Carrasco. One of my absolute favourite bailaoras. Can't wait! (I've been counting the days since I saw she was in the festival's program.)
In sharp contrast, the show last night was just plain weird. The only good thing about it--mind you, it was a very good thing!--was Joaquín Grilo's guest appearance... Man, can that guy dance! As far as I'm concerned, and Carolyn emphatically agrees, he stole the show. (Plus, bonus points for sexiness--Carolyn also emphatically agrees)
It's just such a rare, fantastic treat to see such good talented male flamenco dancers! It's a pity you hardly ever get to see that in Canada.
Anyways, on to tonight's show, which turned out to be my second favourite so far (the first was La Farruca, the second, Isabel Bayón)...
To think I hadn't even heard of the dancer, Olga Pericet. She's a tiny bit of a thing, clearly classically trained, but can she ever flamenco! It's not that the dancing in Saturday's show, for example, was not technically good... It's just... it didn't do anything for me. In the meantime, tonight's show just touched me, made me feel something inside. And that's what I love about flamenco... The way it can move me, stir something within... I suppose it's really the same with all types of art... But for some reason, flamenco somehow makes this more tangible.
Looking forward to tomorrow's show. Manuela Carrasco. One of my absolute favourite bailaoras. Can't wait! (I've been counting the days since I saw she was in the festival's program.)
The Return of the Evil Knee of Annoyance
So, it would appear that my right knee and its stupid sprained ligament have made a comeback at a most inopportune (yet unsurprising) moment. Not a huge deal or anything... I can walk fine, but I feel the stairs and I definitely feel it when dancing. Very annoying. I wonder what did it? The constant walking on stone-paved streets? The abuse of daily flamenco classes and the related practice time? Probably a mix of both.
In any case, I'm being mindful of it and taking it easy in class. The walking, I can do nothing about.
In any case, I'm being mindful of it and taking it easy in class. The walking, I can do nothing about.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Sunday afternoons in Jerez
Ah, the charm of the European small(ish) town... For a Victoria-sized city with such a lively night life, Jerez is pretty much a dead zone on Sunday afternoons. Almost all shops are closed -- even the larger, chain grocery stores (or most of them) and many tapa bars and cafes (or they close after 2 and don't reopen in the evening).
So today, after our classes (Carolyn and I are both taking classes in the morning this week), we've just been relaxing and enjoying some quiet time... A first since we got here! Must say it's rather nice. We will even have a chance to have supper before we head off to the show (Rosario Toledo and Joaquin Grilo are on tonight)!
Tomorrow will be a different story--we're back to practice time and class time... So, that will leave us with very little time in between. But that's ok. How often do we get to positively OD on flamenco?
I'm absolutely loving my class this week, btw. Ángel Muñoz is not only a ridiculously talented bailaor--he's also a brilliant teacher. I'm glad I decided to take a lower level on this second week! My class last week was also pretty great, but I had to be on my toes (not literally) all the time. It's nice to be able to focus more on fine-tuning stuff now, rather than just on trying to remember choreography.
Looking forward to the rest of the week.
So today, after our classes (Carolyn and I are both taking classes in the morning this week), we've just been relaxing and enjoying some quiet time... A first since we got here! Must say it's rather nice. We will even have a chance to have supper before we head off to the show (Rosario Toledo and Joaquin Grilo are on tonight)!
Tomorrow will be a different story--we're back to practice time and class time... So, that will leave us with very little time in between. But that's ok. How often do we get to positively OD on flamenco?
I'm absolutely loving my class this week, btw. Ángel Muñoz is not only a ridiculously talented bailaor--he's also a brilliant teacher. I'm glad I decided to take a lower level on this second week! My class last week was also pretty great, but I had to be on my toes (not literally) all the time. It's nice to be able to focus more on fine-tuning stuff now, rather than just on trying to remember choreography.
Looking forward to the rest of the week.
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