Feria Fever

It’s Feria de Abril en Sevilla time. Actually, the traditional springtime festival that normally occurs in April is happening in May this year. The organizers wanted a little break between Semana Santa and the Feria to afford more tourism opportunities. How nice.

I’ve never been to the Feria but I still have Feria Fever, especially from teaching a Sevillanas class with the bata de cola. But what’s not to love about a festival where the women are required to wear gorgeous dresses? I love, love, love all the feria dresses that are out there. But holy moly, they’re expensive.

Like this lovely red dress (left) from Flamenco Exports $998! And, of course, I would have to wear a different one next year. Perhaps the yellow one (right) with the fringe would be a wise choice since it’s easier on the wallet for $625 but still stunning.

The daytime at the Feria is geared towards families with lots of carnival rides and bull fights. The evening is reserved for parties at all of the casetas for endless Sevillanas, tapas and manzanilla . 

I love this one with Rocio Jurado from the gorgeous Carlos Saura film, Sevillanas. The kids are spectacular and Rocio is just beautiful. I remember seeing this movie in the infancy of my flamenco love affair and being amazed at all the different styles of Sevillanas.

The original style, of course, is just street/casual Sevillanas, the kind a child learns at home and ends up dancing them at the feria as an adult a little tipsy.

I love how chill these ladies dance with such gorgeous hands!

Here is a video of Sevillanas inside one of the casetas. Good times.

Saludos,
Rina