Monday, June 4, 2007

Flamenco Dance






Flamenco is a Spanish art form with roots deep in Andalusia — Spain’s southern region. Although there are clues as to how this dance and folk music evolved, the details are lost in history.Even the origin of its name is elusive. Some attribute it to the early 1500s and the Flemish courtiers during the reign of Spain’s Charles V. Their bright clothing inspired the names given things garish or conspicuous, such as flamingoes and flamenco. Others say flamenco was the nationality erroneously given by the common people to Gypsies.

Flamenco’s characteristicsFlamenco combines acoustic guitar playing, singing, chanting, dancing and staccato handclapping. The flamenco dancer performs with passion, fervor, even tortured expressions but always striving for grace and dignity. Flamenco handclapping produces a sharp, almost piercing sound. Those performers not dancing or guitar playing hold the left arm still. It’s bent at the elbow with the hand about neck high and just slightly cupped. The fingers of the right hand slap the left crosswise, covering the hollow. The dancer does not begin immediately, but waits, absorbing the strumming, clapping and singing until inspired to dance.Types of FlamencoThere are more than a dozen varieties of flamenco songs. Many are laments. One classic type, the petenera, tells the story of a beautiful girl named Petenera who brings tragedy to herself and her village. Some songs are named after the Andalusian towns in which they are popular: (Grenada), (Ronda) and (Seville). Words tend to be arbitrary, and the songs seem to have as many versions as there are singers. While flamenco songs and dances may differ with the performer and the location, they all have one element in common — emotion. Flamenco done right creates a profound, moving experience.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

nice and simple design...

good info..

well done ^_^

Flamenco Dance said...

A special event would be more remarkable with excellent flamenco dancers and singers together with various stylish activities such as solo guitar, guitar duo, and trio with Latin percussion. It's good that they are now available for online booking.