Flamenco

1. Flamenco How do Spanish dancers use flamenco and other forms of dance to dramatically tell a story?

2. The History • We don’t know the history of the dance before 200 years but we have an idea of it from legends and tales which were passed down by generations • We do know though that flamenco started off as just being a chant accompanied by a cane beating a rhythm in the ground. The style of this song is called Palo Secos, which means dry style. • Flamenco is often associated with gypsies, and indeed has a lot of gypsy influence • In the 15th century the gypsies, Jews, and moors lived in desperate situations where they were forced to give up their cultures and traditions and conform to the laws of Andalucía. So they would hide away in desolate areas where the Arab monarchs couldn’t find them. During this time the three cultures collided and mixed many of their traditions such as songs and dances together which formed the Flamenco we know today. • Eventually in 18th century gypsies were being better respected as well as their music however they mostly performed in private houses since their music was very avant-garde. Overtime writers began writing about flamenco and once stories came out celebrating the dance and music there was a huge boom of its popularity. • Flamenco was considered very erotic and sexual so rich people would hire gypsies/flamenco dancers to perform at private gatherings with prostitutes and alcohol

3. Styles of Flamenco • Palo Secos- oldest form of song known today • Toñas- one of the oldest known styles • Martinetes- songs of the blacksmith • Carceleras- prison songs • Debla- it was thought to have connections to gypsy religious rite • Saeta- song of ardent devotion, thought to have Jewish origins • Canta- “deep song”, most styles derive from it

4. Elements of Flamenco • Cante- Voice • Baile- Dance • Toques- Guitar • Jaleo- Hand clapping, foot stamping, shouts

5. Jaleo • Actually means “hell raising” • Performed by the audience, and anyone can participate • Palmas (hand clapping)- very difficult and can add an amazing liveliness to the song • The rhythm the Palmas performs is meant to work nicely with the Zapateado (footwork)

6. How it is performed today • Flamenco is often performed in tablaos which have their own company of performers • Sometimes it is performed in formal concerts • It can also be performed in big theaters

7. The details of the dance Make sure to click on videos It has its origins in Indian dance Female flamenco dancers focus on their upper body and arm movements This style has its roots from the Indian dance BharataNatya Also the intricate footwork of flamenco dancing has some Indian influence from the Indian dance called Kathuk The zapeado did not appear in flamenco dancing until the twentieth century This is because the Muslims did not want women to show their legs

8. Flamenco Trilogy • Carmen, Blood wedding, El amorbrujo • Three movies that display intense story making through the art of flamenco • The blood wedding for example tells a story of a wedding where the bride is actually in love with someone else the two men fight till the death it is very fascinating and the whole show was done through dancing and singing and all of the components that go into flamenco.

9. What makes Flamenco so special • Flamenco unlike most forms of music is primarily based on the rhythms and the words • But the most fascinating characteristic of flamenco is the amount of intense emotions and passion that is displayed through all aspects including the music and the dance • When I went to see flamenco in Grenada I was entranced by the feelings projected through the entire piece.

10. What I learned • By researching flamenco and watching it in Spain and watching the Flamenco Trilogy I have a better understanding of what the effect of flamenco can have on people. I didn’t realize before researching it how complicated it was due to the many components. I also learned that there were so many cultures that influenced flamenco including the Jews, moors and Indians. While researching and studying the topic of flamenco I wasn’t truly immersed in the art but when I went to Spain and got to experience it for myself it was magnificent. The passion of the dancers was so vibrant.

11. WORKS CITED “Search for Hotels In Andalucia.” Flamenco in Andalucia, Music, Art and culture of Southern Spain. N.p., nd. Web. 10 Feb. 2014. “All about Flamenco.” All about Flamenco. N.P., n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 2014 Bodas De Sangre= Blood Wedding. Dir. Carlos Saura. By Antonio Artero, Antonio Gades, Antonio Gades, Christina Hoyos, and Juan Antonio Jimenez. S.n., 1981.