In honor of Pamela,
Here are the first and last coplas from the sevillana, El Adiós, that I and many others danced alongside Pam many a time with our first flamenco teacher, Faly, Rafaela de Cádiz.
One of the best, and sometimes unexpected, gifts flamenco gives us is friendship.
I’ve met and become friends with many incredible people along my flamenco journey;
I know you have as well.
Here’s a video of Zorri singing bulerías at Peña la Bulería in Jerez, a letra, followed by an activity for you to strengthen your rhythm and listening skills!
Mira si yo a ti te quiero
porque tú te llamas Rosa…
Do you practice your flamenco hand movements?
Practicing 'manos' is a must for every flamenco dancer.
The good news is that there is not one right way to move the hands in flamenco.
Here’s another glimpse at one of Carlos Saura’s flamenco films.
Watch Rocío Molina’s very personal interpretation of the garrotín in Flamenco, Flamenco with Rosario La Tremendita singing to her in the end.
![Easy Tangos Step [Flamenco Dance Steps]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568079e7bfe873f15c115eee/1676533002213-RY7PJUWD4881D1OKB4TZ/IMG_6378.JPG)
Here’s a simple tangos marcaje you can use to work on:
Pitos (finger snaps),
Hips,
Coordination, and
Arm positioning
Spanish film director, Carlos Saura, has passed away.
Below watch Pepa Flores sing the following letra accompanied by Paco de Lucía, in his award winning film, Carmen.
(You’ll also see Antonio Gades and Cristina Hoyos dancing.)
![Tutorial: Flamenco Marking Step [Flamenco Dance Steps]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568079e7bfe873f15c115eee/1675758979349-R8QOHVMHU9OYR1A1UBTG/IMG_6077.JPG)
The following twelve count marking step is all about the body.
The feet are pretty simple. (Phew.)
It’s the movement of the body and arms that makes the step.
Check out, Irene “La Seranilla,” one of our teachers on the Flamenco Tour to Granada, dancing por soleá:
![Abanico Dance Step Tutorial [Flamenco Dance Steps]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568079e7bfe873f15c115eee/1675067317377-X8B14LIFH3BAV2Z2J3CC/IMG_5924.JPG)
Ready to dance with the abanico?
Here’s a step you can add to:
Your bulerías at the end of a guajiras
Your bulerías de Cádiz at the end of alegrías
A falseta or escobilla
Enjoy this colorful rumba flamenca in honor of the late Lola Flores, who would have turned one hundred years old this month
Minera
Antonio Sánchez Pecino
Ay Dios mío
me van a hacer barrenero
de las minas de La Unión…
In anticipation of the upcoming Flamenco Tour to Granada, some Tangos de Graná.
(We’ll be studying how to dance this style with Ivan Vargas during the trip. I’m so excited!)
No me mires
no me hables
no me martirices más…
![Try This Simple Tangos Combination [Flamenco Dance Steps]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568079e7bfe873f15c115eee/1673385458330-N4V8QWQR9KWUFEHZFMGA/IMG_5467.JPG)
Here’s a new tangos combination for you.
You may use it:
As the singer comes to the end of a line of the letra
When the singer takes a respiro, a pause
Or simply as an exercise to practice coordinating contratiempo sounds with fluid body movements.
Tarantos
Yo hago el monte explotar
con la mecha y la barrena
a ver si saco el metal
de esta mina traicionera
que conmigo va a acabar
Is getting better at flamenco on your list of goals for the new year?
(Mine too.)
One of the best things you can do to advance your flamenco skills and understanding this year is to implement a regular flamenco routine.
It’s the first day of the new year, which means it’s time to reflect.
Let’s start with celebrating our happy flamenco memories from this past year!
What flamenco moments stood out for you?
Here are some of my favorite flamenco experiences from the past year.