Flamenco in Salamanca, Segovia or Leon?

Betsy Alpert In Spain: July 4 Party / Flamenco Show
In the summer of 2007, I will be attending the Universidad de Salamanca in ... 4 Party / Flamenco Show · Daily Life in Salamanca · Pictures from Segovia ...
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Hey Barbara I will do some research after dinner tonight..maybe come up with something..are you going to Madrid at all? Can you post you exact Itinerary where you land etc? It may help me..

ana maria

Barbara,
I just checked the schedule at Segovia's Teatro Juan Bravo for flamenco in July, and the July performance schedule isn't up yet. I see that on June 15 there's a performance by Miguel Angel Berna, part of the Flamenco Festival of Castilla y León. I throw that out for anyone overnighting in Segovia this Sat.

That's going to be tough if you're not going to be in Madrid. But...if anyone can find you flamenco, I'd bet on ana maría, one of the Hurok girls!

Sorry your dates don't match!

Here's the schedule of the Festival Flamenco Castilla y León, going on in Segovia, Avila and Salamanca just until July 5, for anyone interested-

http://tinyurl.com/4rhnev

Ana Maria and Maribel,
Thanks for your responses. It's so helpful to have your advice.
We arrive in Madrid the morning of July 11, and plan to travel directly to Salamanca that day.
July 11-13 Salamanca
July 14 Leon
July 15-18 Cosgaya/Santillana del Mar
July 19-23 Segovia

We return to Madrid on the 23rd for a 6 am flight on July 24.
Are there any other websites you suggest? It would be interesting to know what other performances there might be in Segovia and Salamanca since we'll be there a few nights.

Of course if you are REALLY motivated to see flamenco you can just pull an all nighter on the 23rd your last night and just go to the airport after that..
Dine leisurely at 10:30 for a couple of hours then catch the midnight show in a tablao (Casa Patas or Corral de la Moreria, Las tablas Etc) and maybe after that a flamenco bar like Candela or Clan. ( I have not been to Candela or Clan yet) Remember the later the better for flamenco.

Or a less formal flamenco club like Cardamomo advertises flamenco on Tues & Thrusdays (less $$) http://www.cardamomo.es/
You can rest up before and just go there for a couple of hours if you can't do the hardcore thing.

Unfortunately the timing is off for July so far for the rest. There is a festival del cante flamenco in Salamanca sometime in the summer & I have sent an e mail for info but doubt the dates match.

Remember that although flamenco is now seen every where due to the touring of the artists, it is native to Andalucia, not Salamanca or Segovia. There are festivals in the north with some great artists don't get me wrong it's just a matter of timing.

I have had a couple of hours and so far no cigar but maybe we;ll get lucky I am not done yet.

You asked for some sites try this one for starters it is easier to read.
http://www.esflamenco.com/scripts/news/enlistnews.asp?frmSeccion=FESTIVALES

ams

Maribel that is a great link thanks!

If I were visiting the part of Spain that's on your itinerary I would be seeking out places where I might see performances of la Jota (which I consider Spain's National dance).
Each region has its own version and it's great fun to watch! You'll be near Santander when its annual 'Santiago' festival is taking place. Why not stop a night or two there?
La Virgen de Carmen (16 jul) is celebrated in coastal cities. It is also the start of Peak vacation season.

I agree with Ned you are certain to see & enjoy Jotas and other regional dances that are typical of the areas you are visiting.
Again flamenco is not typical of the north.

You will love Jotas. As Ned says Jotas are songs & dances of the north, the most famous being from Aragon, Zaragoza & Navarra, but other areas as well. They are very athletic and men in particular excel, and require lots of stamina (The best "areobic" dance will give you a tremendous work out with lots of jumping)(Ned I know you can do a Jota and perhaps a few knww drops too!)

Check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgrT1As9Fvc&feature=related

Again Barbara flamenco is native to the the south but since you asked we were hoping find you something special on tour in your area such as the Ballet Nacional de Espana (which is terrific) or a festival or flamenco contest such ads the one Maribel posted.

It does look like your scheule misses those this time, but you never know you may run into something unexpectedly. Remember not everything is posted on the internet anyway. YOur trip sounds fabulous in any case you will not be dissappointed.

Interestly, even the north has it's clubs (penas) and flamenco festivals & contests as well as touring artists. Of course flamenco is not there 24/7 like in Andalucia.

Just for general information I will try to post a link separately under a Flamenco heading to help you & others find flamenco by area for the future.

We have an exhausting return trip anyway, so an an all-nighter in Madrid is tempting if it's our only option. How would you suggest we'd get to the airport in the wee hours?

And, NEDSIRELAND, la jota sounds great. Is there a way to track that down before we go? Do you recommend any one town over the others for Virgen de Carmen?

Thanks yet again!

By the way in Jotas the castanets (castanuelas) are usually played in a unique way with the middle fingers, not as they are played in other Spanish dances.

I went to the youtube site--Amazing! How do they not break their knee caps?? We will make it a mission to find a performance!

Hi ana maría and Barbara,
Once you get to Segovia, check the performance schedule at the Teatro Juan Bravo on the Plaza Mayor. If there is a prestigious dance troupe performance in the city, that's where they will perform. The July schedule isn't up yet but check later at

www.teatrojuanbravo.org

You'll just miss the International Music Festival in Santander which starts on Aug. 1. But later on, check the Palacio de Festivales web site. Again, their July performances aren't up online yet. They have 3 dance troups schedule for late June.

www.palaciofestivales.com

As NED says the fiestas de la Virgen el Carmen (patroness of fishermen) will be celebrated 7/16 in Santander with processions, music, lots of activity in the Barrio Pesquero (fishermen's quarter), if you want to go in and join in on the fun from your base in Santillana. And as NED notes, it will also be celebrated in the fishing villages-you have one close by to Santillana in Suances-they'll celebrate Nuestra Sra. del Carmen on 7/16. It's 10 min. by car from Santillana. They'll also have dancing, processions, mass, fireworks at midnight. Inquire about the events and program in the Santillana tourist office.

Photos here:
http://tinyurl.com/6crscv

and a youtube video:
http://tinyurl.com/6k3myw

Enjoy your stay in beautiful Cantabria and all the rest!

We've been to the fiestas in Comillas (to the west of Santillana) from July 15-18 (Santo Cristo del Amparo).

In Potes, above Cosgaya (are you staying at Hotel del Oso?), you won't have a fiesta during your stay.

Maribel you are a genius. Barbara I would heed this advice & Neds too and work around this if you can.

Just another note being the flamenco fanatic that I am, on the link Maribel posted earler I noticed Maria Pages in Segovia a deal at 18E! She is wonderful.

I know you won't be in Segovia then but perhaps others may get to go.



ams

ana maría,
Speaking of flamenco greats, I see that Sara Baras will be in London at Sadler's Wells from July 1-12. I love her as well as Eva Yerbabuena and María Pagés. I wish www.sarabaras.com would list her touring schedule. Is there another flamenco web site that would have it?

A huge thank you! We will definitely enjoy the festivals and I'll keep checking the websites for Segovia and Santander.
Yes, we are staying at Hotel del Oso. I'm looking forward to the diversity of scenery on this trip. In Segovia our reservation is at Hotel San Antonio el Real. Are you familiar with it?

amsdon writes: "(Ned I know you can do a Jota and perhaps a few knww drops too!)"
You missed my post announcing that I am a Septuagenarian. If la Jota de la Dolores (sung version) is played (i.e., si vas a Calatayud, preguntá por la Dolores), I might dance a few steps; but even on the best of my days as a student in Spain, I was never athletic enough to do those knee drops. The danced version is so upbeat I couldn't even get started. Thanx for the positive reinforcement, though.
P.D.
If I were on a train passing thru Calatayud, I would definitely call out for Dolores, as did all the other students.

My (Madrileña) wife is also an Ana Maria. Would you believe that they speak Castellano so fast in Cantabria that my Madrid-born wife couldn't keep up with them? I had no problem ...

Hi Barbara,
The Monastery Hotel San Antonio el Real is just outside the city center and the only hotel property we didn't get to tour on our last trip, so I haven't seen it on the inside, just the exterior. It's gotten great reviews, and there's free parking.

You'll have a great stay at the lovingly cared for, family Hotel del Oso-it's a charmer. Hope you have requested a room with balcony. And you'll love the pool and the beautiful flowers.
Their stew, the cocido lebaniego (made with chickpeas rather than white beans, fabes, like the fabada asturiana) is legendary and a truly gargantuan meal! Everything you order, just be prepared to share, as portions are huge (and cuisine delicious)!
And enjoy the two adorable female Saint Bernards. We met the puppy in Nov.


If you plan to take the cable car ride to the Mirador at Fuente Dé (and a visit isn't complete without this great ride), please make sure to be there between 9-9:30, as if you get there at 10 along with the tour buses, you'll be in for a very, very long wait-two hours or so! The first trip up in July starts at 9. Cost: 14 euros

Have a great time!

Barbara I have not stayed there I am sure Maribel has the scoop.

Maribel:

I know you have quite a bit of flamenco up in your area.
Amazingly I have not had the pleasure of seeing SB live only on video. Why they would not post a schedule is beyond me. I did e mail them asking fyi.

I know that here in the LA area some of the most established and
well known dancers teachers STILL
do not even have a website...but times are changing.

Certainly the company of Sara Baras should have a schedule posted?

Online I usually read
1. deflamenco
http://www.deflamenco.com/indexi.jsp?cambio=e

2. flamencoworld
http://www.flamenco-world.com/

3. esflamenco although it's really mostly online sales but still ok
http://www.esflamenco.com/enindex.html

4. I get a newsletter from aficionada Beth Nesbit called vida flamenca which targets alot of local stuff (some good some not very good but she gives them all a place to announce their shows in all fairness. She also writes California Buzz. I prefer her newsletter sometimes she adds info re penas and so forth.
Flamenco buzz is the umbrella site
http://www.flamencobuzz.net/california.html

Right now the best thing coming to So California is the yearly event New World Flamenco Festival in Irvine at the Barclay run by a very talented AND organized performer Yaelisa I'll bet you know of her? (Not so many years ago her mom was a cantaora in SanFrancisco. I feel old)

http://www.caminosflamencos.com/

Ned I know some day we must meet. You might just surprise us! I do suggest getting knee pads and having ice handy.

Barbara now that I read Maribel's post you MUST promise me a photo of the Saint Bernards (I have a small one too and a Pyrenees)Just because of them I will have to go the Hotel del Oso someday.

We are getting so excited for you!

Yes, ana maría,
when you meet the Hotel del Oso's Saint Bernards you'll fall in love. I remember that you had posted that you have one, so yes, you must go to Cosgaya some day to meet them!

Luckily in case we ever retire & move to Spain the big dogs "Canela" & "Paloma" were already taught to bark in spanish by my mom...

The Saint Bernards have already won my heart! ana maria--check them out at hoteldeloso.com.

Thanks Barbara they are beutiful.
They are such a great breed.

The hotel looks really great too and the prices posted seem reasonable.

What plants for sights (if any) do you have for that particular area near the Hotel?

ana maría,
You and Mr. Don would love the area, it's so very beautiful, particularly when the leaves turn in late Oct.-just gorgeous. And it's walking country, which gives you a chance to go for long walks in the hills to conteract the effects of the cocido!
Plus 4x4 excursions you can take up into the mountains.

Barabara,
Don't miss the little 10th century Mozarabic church of Santa María de Lebeña on your way down to Potes (exit to the left right before getting out of the gorge-Desfiladero de la Hermida- -about 8 km from Potes. It's a beautiful little space with horseshoe archs, pillars with beautiful capitals in leaf motif. Only a certain number of visitors are allowed in at a time, because a guide gives a short explanation in Spanish (but provides a pamphlet in English). Open 10-1:30, 4-7 and Sun. 11-2. Closed Mon.

If you need a coffee break on your way down to Potes, there's the spa hotel of La Hermida on the left, quite nice, built right at the water, with a café where we often stop. They may have their outdoor terrace open.

The ancient village of Mogrovejo, halfway between Potes and Fuente Dé has spectacular views and is good for a walk around, as it's a complete step back in time.

There's also wine tasting (yes, they're making wine here in this microclimate, "vinos de la tierra de Liébana") and you can visit the winery on the road to Cabezón de Liébana on Mon.-Fri. from 5-8 and weekends from noon-2 and 5-8. The tourist office has brochures.

At the Casa Cayo in Potes you'll see signs for their "tostadillo" which is a sweet wine similar to muscatel.

And before reaching Fuente Dé, after Espinama you'll see the turn off to the town of Pido. Take it, drive up and purchase some yummy artisanal cheese from "Casa Clara".

Across the highway from the Hotel del Oso is the Casona de Cosgaya, an inn/restaurant with a really attractive bar/café decorated in a hunt theme (owners are big game safari hunters). Look for the big copper "alquitara" (a still) outside (for making the local eau-de-vie, "orujo"). The chef has won a tortilla (spanish omelete) competition. Try one! We stop in here daily for coffee, a pintxo de tortilla (little plate), plate of cheese, or a drink.
It's a sophisticated place with creative cuisine in the pretty, elegant dining room upstairs.

www.casonadecosgaya.com

We'll be back in Cantabria in a little over a week, and I can hardly wait!

Maribel, You are such a wealth of detailed information, thanks so much for sharing it. There seems to be so much to do and see, I'm wondering if maybe we should shift our schedule a bit.

Right now we drive from Leon to Santillana del Mar on July 15, then Hotel del Oso on the nights of the 16, 17 and 18th. On the 19th we return the car to Leon and travel to Segovia until the 23rd.

I'm thinking perhaps we should shorten our stay Salamanca to visit my niece and sightsee, and we could add a day up north. I don't think I'd want to shorten the time in Segovia. Fourteen days is seeming shorter and shorter. How might you allocate between Salamanca and Cantabria?

Barbara,
Without a car you might consider shortening that stay in Segovia to 3 nights instead of 4 because you will be limited in your explorations via public transportation: there's a bus to the walled city of Avila and to the Bourbon Palace at San Ildefonso de La Granja (get there when it opens at 10 for the first guided tour, as ana maría knows, it can get extremely crowded later on!)
www.patrimonionacional.es

the bus schedule to San Ildefonso is here:
http://tinyurl.com/5z49yf

and the high speed AVE train to Valladolid, which has a magnificent National Museum of Sculpture.
www.mne.es

Salamanca can be visited in two nights but it's larger than Segovia.
And Segovia is only 35 min. by high speed train from Madrid.

Wherever you decide to eliminate a night, whether in Segovia to 3 or Salamanca to 2, yes, I would add another night to Cantabria, because there is so much to do and see in that area.
And Santander is a delightful city and El Sardinero a truly gorgeous beach-one of Spain's most beautiful.
We'll be spending a week in the environs very soon.

Hi Barbara,
The Segovia International Music Festival schedule is now on line. I checked for your dates. But classical concerts-all start at 10:30 pm

7/21:
Jacques Loussier Trio (Bach)
in the patio of the Alcázar

7/22:
Carlos Mena &Bach Consort Wien
in San Juan de los Caballeros church

7/23:
María Jaão Pires & Pavel Gomziakov
in San Juan de los Caballeros church

Tickets can be purchased at tourist office next to the Aqueduct or at venue 1 hr. before performance.

www.festivaldesegovia.org
(in Spanish)

The Carlos Mena concert sounds like a treat. Íf you like contratenors, he is pretty good, and it is only 20 euros.

Cova

hello!
I think this piece of info might help: a friend of mine has just come back from a flamenco holiday in Sevilla with GoLearnTo and she loved it!! They also have other destinations in Spain, so check out their website...
tell me if this helps
mims

Mims I am not sure if you noticed this is from last summer 08?

mimsclaire only posting and it seems like an advert to me!

hi maribel,

I noticed your mention of Potes, and wondered if you could clear up something which has been bugging us for years: when we stayed there, more years ago than I care to remember, it was full of chaps with dogs, and the dogs had numbers cut into their fur. any idea why?

it's a lovely area and salamanca was one of the most memorable places we visited.