Flamenco Dance

"El baile flamenco", has to be one of the most passionate and expressive forms of dance in the world. Professional dancers, 'bailaores' (masculine) and bailaoras (feminine) spend years studying the art of flamenco dance.

Unlike many other dances, the moves of flamenco are not preset, that is, they are without choreography. The flamenco dance is about improvisation, using the arms for expression, as in ballet. The rhythm is referred to as the 'Palo', that is, the rod. Percussion, the 'heart beat' of the music, is provided by the tapping of the feet. Not dissimilar to a tap dancer, but more leading, as opposed to following. More traditional dancers tend to favour castanets, or clicking of the fingers, adding to the intricacies of the beat. Also, like the famous Geisha, fans might be used, to add to the visual effect.

The phrase "Gypsy", and the people, has often been misunderstood. Gypsy and flamenco, are two words generally spoken in the same breath. Like Santa Claus and his Reindeer, or a bucket and spade. Gypsies have become somewhat of an interesting subject in recent years. In Spain, gypsy refers to the Spanish/Arabic community, originally concentrated around the region of Andalucia. A fusion of middle eastern and Hispanic art forms. Throughout the years, flamenco has evolved into an artistic and revolutionary dance form. The true meaning of Flamenco has been explained in so many ways, most more fiction than fact. The truth is, in Spain, Flamenco and Gitano (gypsy) have always been synonymous with each other.

Flamenco dance is one of the most genuine Spanish arts, of the Southern regions. It is expressed in three ways, the dance, the singing and the guitar. Guitar being the latter of the three. In roots are held fast in Andalucia, but that's not to say it hasn't touched many cultures throughout it's evolution. Spain has a somewhat colourful history, it is no surprise, each cultural epoch has left it's mark. For the first time, Flamenco found it's place in the history books, in 1774. The first flamenco dance schools actually began to evolve almost ten years before, in Jerez, Cádiz, and probably the most famous of all, Triana, in Seville. It was the arrival of great performers, like the famous Antonio Mairana, in the 1950's that brought many dancers out of the cafes and bars and into the theatres and concert stage. The basic principle of the dance has changed since then, the passion with which it is expressed has not. Guitar also plays a much more crucial role, today it is much more than an accompaniment. Flamenco has finally hit the world stage, but nothing will beat the authenticity of a night with real people, friends and family. Spanish people love to dance. On or off the stage, flamenco will always exist in the heart of those people.