This is really about all art form, not only about Flamenco. Reading what is below reminds me of Bruce Lee, when the chinese, at the time, would only teach martial arts to the chinese, but not to anyone else. Bruce chose not to respect that way of doing things. Obviously he was right in doing so. Today you will find great martial artists all over the world.
This just tells you that an artist is an artist regardless of what region of the world that he/she is from.
Anyway, enjoy what Adrian Galia, a famous flamenco dancer, has to say.
"Adrian Galia conceives Flamenco as a pure and universal art. He is totally convinced that anyone can dance Flamenco. But in order to do this watching the teacher's movement and trying to repeat them is not enough. It is much more complexed and simple at the same time.
Flamenco, as and art, depends upon a landscape, a way of being, a feeling, and this does not exclusively belong to any particular country. It exists even in the furthest regions of our planet, and this ensures that there will be painters, sculptors, musicians in all parts of the world. Dance is not an exception.
Let us not follow the trap of limiting ourselves by simply imitating a few steps. Let us enrich the Flamenco world the same way that Indo-Gypsies, Jews, Moors, and Castillians enriched it 500 years ago. Let our way of being be shown and let's feel the Art of Flamenco as something universal of our own. If we are capable of understanding this, playing , singing, or dancing Flamenco will be something easy and natural to any citizen of the world. To develop creativity in dancing we require, in addition to feeling, a tool which we carry with us; our body. Let's educate this body in the dancing technique, and once the body is trained, molded, and exercised, let the feeling do the rest... creativity is at hand."
The above was taken from the Flamenco Instructional Tapes "Pasos a Pasos" by Adrian Galia.
HOLA CAT! I thought I recognized the words in that passage! I have several of the Pasos a Pasos videos. They are still a little too advanced for me, but lovely to watch. Here is a true Flamenco story that can be applied to the ballroom world. I guess it should be entitled HOW TO HANDLE A COSTUME MISHAP IN THE MIDDLE OF A DANCE This weekend, we in Dallas were priviledged to watch a spectacular Flamenco performance starring Antonio Hidalgo, Jesus Montoya, Conte de Loyo and others. Conte was wearing a beautiful white bata de cola with a long heavy train of ruffles and roses for a dramatic sigyria that had been choreographed by Ciro. The floor was sticky, and as she turned and kicked her skirt onto her arm, off came her shoe! Lost shoe? No problem! Conte is such a classy act. With the unhurried composure, attitude, and elegance of a queen, she slowly bent down, retrieved it- all in compass, of course- and gracefully danced over to Hidalgo, where he offered her his arm as she replaced the errant shoe- still in compass, she continued the performance as though it were all planned. To quote Conte: Always expect the unexpected, and whatever happens, make sure you look good!!
I love those videos as well. Not only for the dancing, but as well for the history of each type of dance.
Thanks for the story. I thought it was quite interesting.
That is called "Professionalism at its BEST".
Until next time
The Cat
quote:Originally posted by Triana: HOLA CAT! I thought I recognized the words in that passage! I have several of the Pasos a Pasos videos. They are still a little too advanced for me, but lovely to watch. Here is a true Flamenco story that can be applied to the ballroom world. I guess it should be entitled HOW TO HANDLE A COSTUME MISHAP IN THE MIDDLE OF A DANCE This weekend, we in Dallas were priviledged to watch a spectacular Flamenco performance starring Antonio Hidalgo, Jesus Montoya, Conte de Loyo and others. Conte was wearing a beautiful white bata de cola with a long heavy train of ruffles and roses for a dramatic sigyria that had been choreographed by Ciro. The floor was sticky, and as she turned and kicked her skirt onto her arm, off came her shoe! Lost shoe? No problem! Conte is such a classy act. With the unhurried composure, attitude, and elegance of a queen, she slowly bent down, retrieved it- all in compass, of course- and gracefully danced over to Hidalgo, where he offered her his arm as she replaced the errant shoe- still in compass, she continued the performance as though it were all planned. To quote Conte: Always expect the unexpected, and whatever happens, make sure you look good!!
Just an FYI that the Flamenco solo by Fernando Solanos is now available on www.dancescape.TV . See Fernando demonstrate from the ballroom of the Hotel de Paris in Monaco.
You can LOGIN and it will be in your link: * DanceScape.TV Online Videos
Just click on the link and you'll have access to the videos.
Please tell your Flamenco dance friends about our special dance video presentations and features! Let them in on your secret about www.dancescape.TV !!!
Regards, DanceScape Support
[This message has been edited by DanceScape (edited 04-25-2001).]
Dancescape: I watched the Flamenco video, and I did enjoy it, although it was a little choppy- probably just because my computer is not technologically capable of handling all the information in good sequence. I tried it both with realplayer and with the 256 speed. I also tried it on my IMac at home, but my screen froze and I didn't have time to mess with it any more. Will try on the macintosh again. Interestingly, because of the choppiness, I was able to see his lines and they are magnificent. If only I could make it a little bit larger.... CAT, if you read this, and you too Dancemax, I recentely heard that there was a step in Paso Doble called the Sevilliana. It is a gold step, and I am at a beginning bronze level, so I haven't learned it yet. Does it look like something from Sevillianas??
quote:Originally posted by DanceScape: Hi Everyone,
Just an FYI that the Flamenco solo by Fernando Solanos is now available on www.dancescape.TV . See Fernando demonstrate from the ballroom of the Hotel de Paris in Monaco.
You can LOGIN and it will be in your link: * DanceScape.TV Online Videos
Just click on the link and you'll have access to the videos.
Please tell your Flamenco dance friends about our special dance video presentations and features! Let them in on your secret about www.dancescape.TV !!!
Regards, DanceScape Support
[This message has been edited by DanceScape (edited 04-25-2001).]
I just saw the Flamenco demonstration. Oh my, I didn't know Flamenco could be so sexy! Could you tell me what makes a good Flamenco dancer? The lines I tried to look at -- he looks like a Swan or Flamingo with those beautiful moves!
Hi Triana, Thanks so much for your comments! Just a quick tip -- if you are able to play 256, it should be large enough.
But, if you RIGHT CLICK with your mouse on the video, you can get more controls -- one of them is to zoom in.
We will also be beta testing video sharing system, so if you or anyone else is interested, email info@dancescape.com and ask to be included in our list of Beta testers. This enables people to download video files directly to PC and then you can play on your PC each time instead of webstreaming.
More info. will be announced to registered members of www.dancescape.TV also.
quote:Originally posted by Triana: Dancescape: I watched the Flamenco video, and I did enjoy it, although it was a little choppy- probably just because my computer is not technologically capable of handling all the information in good sequence. I tried it both with realplayer and with the 256 speed. I also tried it on my IMac at home, but my screen froze and I didn't have time to mess with it any more. Will try on the macintosh again. Interestingly, because of the choppiness, I was able to see his lines and they are magnificent. If only I could make it a little bit larger....
My apology for the delay in answering your posting. A step called the Sevillana!!! I must say that I am not aware of it. In Passo Doble, there are a few steps that may resemble some Flamenco steps, but I never heard of the Sevillana step in Passo Doble. The only step that I can think of is the "Flamenco Taps" in Passo, that has some similarity to the basic Sevillana step. Sorry, I am not able to be much help on this one.
Does anyone know whether there is a step called Sevillanas in Passo Doble?
Talk soon
The Cat
quote:Originally posted by Triana: Dancescape:
CAT, if you read this, and you too Dancemax, I recentely heard that there was a step in Paso Doble called the Sevilliana. It is a gold step, and I am at a beginning bronze level, so I haven't learned it yet. Does it look like something from Sevillianas??
Tune-in to our latest Flamenco Profile of Clara Robinson. States Clara, "Flamenco is full of passion and life. When I watch flamenco performances, I notice the intricacy of the different rhythms, the fire, the color, and the excitement. I feel the most important aspect of this artform is that it commemorates time and wisdom. Most forms of dance celebrate youth, but flamenco demonstrates how the beauty of the artist increases with each year that passes."
LOGIN also at www.dancecape.TV to see our Flamenco dance feature of Fernando Solanos. Go to the DanceScape.TV programs when you LOGIN and then click on the "Flamenco" drop down menu. Enjoy!
