Flamenco in Salamanca, Segovia or Leon?

Old Jun 11th, 2008, 11:17 AM
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Flamenco in Salamanca, Segovia or Leon?

Our itinerary has taken shape and we're counting the days! I had hoped to get to a flamenco concert when our plans included Seville. Now we will be in Salamanca July 11-13, overnight in Leon on the July 14. From there we rent a car to explore Cantabria. We will spend July 19-23 in Segovia.
I'm wondering if there's any chance of finding any flamenco concerts along this route. I'm guessing
Salamanca may offer our only hope.
Any suggestions on how I track down entertainment and concert schedules?
Thanks.
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Old Jun 11th, 2008, 12:47 PM
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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 ...
alpertinspain.blogspot.com/2007/07/july-4-party-flamenco-show.html
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Old Jun 11th, 2008, 05:44 PM
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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
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Old Jun 11th, 2008, 06:53 PM
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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!
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Old Jun 11th, 2008, 06:58 PM
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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
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Old Jun 11th, 2008, 07:29 PM
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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.
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Old Jun 11th, 2008, 09:20 PM
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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/ne...ion=FESTIVALES

ams
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Old Jun 11th, 2008, 10:00 PM
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Maribel that is a great link thanks!
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Old Jun 12th, 2008, 01:31 AM
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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.
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Old Jun 12th, 2008, 06:25 AM
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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=NgrT1...eature=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.
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Old Jun 12th, 2008, 06:42 AM
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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!
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Old Jun 12th, 2008, 06:44 AM
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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.
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Old Jun 12th, 2008, 06:49 AM
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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!
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Old Jun 12th, 2008, 07:58 AM
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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.
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Old Jun 12th, 2008, 09:21 AM
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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
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Old Jun 12th, 2008, 10:33 AM
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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?
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Old Jun 12th, 2008, 01:58 PM
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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?
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Old Jun 12th, 2008, 02:19 PM
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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 ...

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Old Jun 12th, 2008, 02:23 PM
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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!


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Old Jun 12th, 2008, 02:48 PM
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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/




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