Flamenco Show & Budget Meeting

The main budget meeting of the Council will be held this Tuesday. Approval of this budget will allow us to complete some of the outstanding works.

Francesca has arranged in conjunction with the Town Hall another Flamenco evening in the Theatre of Zurgena. I have appended the poster. I have also added a narrative from Francesca about the show to explain a little more about the show.

Fascinating new Project for the Spring..We will present a showcase of young future stars of flamenco dance alongside adult male and female performers. Authentic gypsy flamenco demonstrating the importance of passing the art form from generation to generation. An uplifting show designed to celebrate the entrance into Spring.
Tickets will be on sale from the 8th of April at:
NEWSPAPER KIOSK PARQUE COMERCIAL MOJÁCAR
TOWN HALL OF ZURGENA (OFFICE OF COUNCILLOR JIM SIMPSON)
Pre reserve tickets by email info@lagitanainglesa.com
SUNDAY 28TH APRIL AT 8PM
MUNICIPAL THEATRE OF ZURGENA

FLAMENCO ROOTS AND FUTURE PROMISES

The art of flamenco is an immense subject and is open to much debate amongst experts. It is safe to say, however, that despite the many conflicting opinions over the various theories of its roots and origins, one thing is certain; Flamenco music is the music of the Spanish gypsy community.

The flamenco song of the gypsy community is neither artificial nor invented. The pain and indeed the lighter, more fun festive side of flamenco song comes from a basis of the struggles and hard times experienced by this community. The painful sounding more serious types of flamenco such as the Soleá and the Seguiriya are external  expressions of genuine suffering, they have not been invented to adorn musical notes. The truly happy and festive styles such as the Bulerías and certain types of Tangos have originated from this community throwing huge in house fiestas as a form of escapism from their daily struggles as an alienated community.

The entire history of gypsy flamenco is based on family sagas, traditions passed on from generation to generation in the form of an inheritance. Indeed within the many palos of flamenco ( branches of flamenco) exist sub divisions of specific styles created by certain people who then give the palo their own family name after it´s general name. In other words they are personal family stamps on the music.  This topic in itself is vast, but to summarise one can say that the flamenco music of this genre is literally the soundtrack to the history and heritage of the Spanish gypsies.

It is important to acknowledge at this point that of course there are a huge amount of flamenco artists who are not of gypsy origin, indeed some of today´s leading artists are non gypsy artists. However, the majority will admit that the main source of their inspiration and basis of their information has come from studying the great gypsy artists.

THE FUNDAMENTAL ROLE OF CHILDREN IN MAINTAINING THE LEGACY

One can safely say that within many of the leading gypsy flamenco families, the children often understand the complicated rhythms and complexities of flamenco music before they can talk or walk properly. This is not an exaggeration, it is a fact. The families see it is as an obligatory part of continuing the family legacy, the children are present even whilst still on the breast listening and internalising the complexities of the music and dance so that it becomes natural to them. There are some interesting  documentaries filmed in black and white which portray these scenarios very clearly. The music must be transmitted to their infants in order for the family´s legacy to continue. Flamenco is in the D.N.A of these people and it is impossible for the Spanish gypsy culture to be disassociated from flamenco. Likewise, and more worryingly, due to present trends towards more contemporary non gypsy flamenco, it is unthinkable to consider Flamenco without Spanish gypsies being at the basis of the art form. At present, there is a trend towards the cleansing of flamenco and elimination of the gypsy roots; major festivals are not contracting the pure artists and are promoting the overly stylised contemporary artists. This is a sad state of affairs. We are in danger of losing the passion, creativity, spontaneity and force of gypsy flamenco. One could almost consider it a form of theft of their art form.  As such, WE FIGHT  to promote PURE, RAW GYPSY FLAMENCO.  In order to continue the legacy we need the young artists to come through with hope that one day they will make a living from their incredible and unique art form.