It’s that time of year again when all us flamencos start slipping secret messages through our kids’ letters to Santa. We dream of a cornucopia of flamenco supplies, shows and trips to Spain. We can dream!
You are a brave soul if you have a flamenco dancer in your life because it’s all so confusing. You *think* she said flamingo shoes, right? Or was it a flamingo dress? NO! Worry not, here are a few items for the flamenco dancer in your life in three separate levels of crazy for flamenco.
BEGINNING CRAZY
If you got your budding flamenco dancer a new PAIR OF FLAMENCO SHOES , you would, hands down, win! I’m sure she would have a black pair already, but go for something crazy like pink patent leather or leopard skin. Rawr!
But if shoes are not quite in your budget, then show that you care and help with the flamenco learning experience. You can either go down that flamenco rabbit hole watching videos on YouTube, set a date to watch the CAMARON DE LA ISLA biographical series on Netflix or check out FLAMENCO and FLAMENCO FLAMENCO . These two movies are by Carlos Saura and offer vignettes of music and dance from contemporary artists, although the movies were filmed 15 years apart. In the first movie you can see Farruquito as a child dancing with his legendary grandfather, El Farruco. Then see him in the second movie all grown up and dancing with such feeling. You’ll also see Belen Maya in the first movie showing us the beginnings of the avant garde styling of flamenco with her geometric Bulerias. Then in the second movie you’ll see Rocio Molina offering her own version of a stylized Garrotin.
SOMEWHAT CRAZY
This dancer has some experience with classes and wants more but can’t quite make it to any festivals for training. My ONLINE FLAMENCO STUDIO has over 30 courses with 200 video lessons in technique, choreography and lectures for new beginners through advanced levels. This way you can give her a dance studio at home, at work, in the garage- anywhere and anytime as long as there’s internet access.
Of course, there’s always another pair of flamenco shoes (there’s never enough), but she’ll probably need some new FANS or MANTONCILLOS (mini shawl) FOR DANCE right about now. The fans break so easily and both can be such a hassle to purchase because the shipping usually costs about as much as the product! So, be sure to get her a few of each. The large dance fans with fabric on both sides are the sturdiest, but the smaller fans are so cute too, too. Try getting a mantoncillo to match the color of the fan. 😉
FULL ON FLAMENCO CRAZY
She goes to shows, she has the shoes, she takes her classes. What else could she need or even want? Well, there are those flamenco shoes (we have them but we always want/need more- did I already say that?) and the ultimate goal of a trip to Spain to actually train completely immersed in the cradle of flamenco.
One of the events that I’ve been really wanting to go to but haven’t is the FESTIVAL DE JEREZ. (OMG I LOVE this year’s poster!) This two-week long festival has workshops running all day with show after show every evening. There’s also the more intimate EXPERIENCE FLAMENCO tour to Jerez, specially curated by Laura
FREE Beginner's Guide to Flamenco
Discover Brazeo (beautiful arm work) and Taconeo (powerful footwork).
FREE Flamenco Footwork Drills
9 technique lessons & drills to help you get stronger and faster flamenco footwork!
FREE Cheat Sheet for Flamenco Dancers
A simple guide with everything you need to know about flamenco dance.
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