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Best flamenco
Traveling to Spain end of May and will have some time in Madrid, Sevilla or Barcelona for flamenco. Which city and what venues are best for most authentic flamenco - no tourist type shows please!
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Since flamenco originated in Andalucia, I would presume the best ones are in Sevilla and other Andalucian cities. Check out this thread for a couple of suggestions for Sevilla:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2 |
Of those three cities, Seville will definitely have the best flamenco, since its an Andalusian art form. Check out the TIme Out Andalusia or Lonely Planet Andalusia guides fpr the word on non-touristy, authentic flamenco shows.
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We LOVED the flamenco show at Los Gallos in Seville. Plan to go back and see it (and others) again!
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I just returned from Seville and I am happy to tell you we went to a show that we felt was really authentic. It is the Casa de Memoria and is located in the Bario santa Cruz. The show is in a small picturesque courtyard and performed in front of small groups. I really felt the passion of the performers and recognize them as true artists. There are a number of different shows and the staff will be happy to explain them to you (in good english). I think there is sometimes 2 or 3 shows a night depending on the demand. The best part? The cost is only 11 euro a person and well worth it. The show is performed in a small Sevillain courtyard so arrive at least 30-45 minutes early to secure a place in line. On cool night bring a sweater or jacket since the performance is in a courtyard and open to the cool air. It is located at C/ Ximenez de Enciso 28 in the Bario Santa Cruz. This is off the C/ Santa Maria La Blanca near a little square where you can get Tapas, dinner or a little snack before the show. Stop by right when you arrive in Seville to purchase tickets as they sell them during the day (warning they are closed during siesta). They have an email at [email protected] if you want to ask questions.
I put some pics I took of the place on my photo sight... http://photos.yahoo.com/richardabfodors |
ttt
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We just returned from Spain, and saw the show at El Arenal in Seville. Most locals say this is the best show in town as far as talent. Although it was a tourist type venue in a small restaurant/club, it was extremely well done, with about a dozen performers, and the show went close to two hours. We also were able to find the much talked about Carbonera, on a tiny alley like street in Seville. This place is the 'real deal', where local artists perform well into the early hours. However, we were too tired to stay past midnight, so we only saw a local poetry and comedy trio, and a flamenco-rock pianist. However, several guys with guitars started drifitng in as we were leaving.
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Thanks, everyone, for the info. I'll follow through on your suggestions. Richard, I especially appreciated your detailed message - planning to check out your find. Zootsi-La Carboneria is pretty popular with Fodorites so we're going to hit that spot as well.
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I saw the same show Richard did a few months ago, and really enjoyed it.
Richard - welcome back! Have you written a trip report yet? I don't want to miss it! Karen |
No trip report yet but i am working on it. i have been crazed at work. but I did write some observations... I copied this from another posting i made....
I just returned from Seville and here are my secret tips... 1. Any time spent in the Bario Santa Cruz is well worth it. Get lost in the back alleys and side streets. Find a little square, sit and relax! 2. (this is a copy of a previous post) We went to a show that we felt was really authentic. It is the Casa de Memoria and is located in the Bario santa Cruz. The show is in a small picturesque courtyard and performed in front of small groups. I really felt the passion of the performers and recognize them as true artists. There are a number of different shows and the staff will be happy to explain them to you (in good english). I think there is sometimes 2 or 3 shows a night depending on the demand. The best part? The cost is only 11 euro a person and well worth it. The show is performed in a small Sevillain courtyard so arrive at least 30-45 minutes early to secure a place in line. On cool night bring a sweater or jacket since the performance is in a courtyard and open to the cool air. It is located at C/ Ximenez de Enciso 28 in the Bario Santa Cruz. This is off the C/ Santa Maria La Blanca near a little square where you can get Tapas, dinner or a little snack before the show. Stop by right when you arrive in Seville to purchase tickets as they sell them during the day (warning they are closed during siesta). They have an email at [email protected] if you want to ask questions. I put some pics I took of the place on my photo sight... http://photos.yahoo.com/richardabfodors 3. The Tapas (especially the Jamone) at Casa Román at Plaza de los Venerables was the best we ate. The they serve is "acorn fed". Its in the Bario Santa Cruz near the Alcazar. 4. The food at ENRIQUE BECERRA was horrible and the worst and most expensive we ate. 5. OK I know I am in Spain but the Italian food at Pizzería San Marco was excellent. We went there one night when we wanted a simple dinner. It is not really a "pizzeria". It is an Italian restaurant in a former Arab bathhouse. Very nice. In the Bario santa Cruz at Calle Mesón de Moro 6. 6. For a lovely meal in a nice setting try the inexpensive price fixed lunch in the cafe at Taverna del Alabardero on Calle Zaragoza 20. It was by far the most elegant and best priced meal we had in Seville. 7. One night when we wanted something different we went to As-Sawirah on Galena 5 in the Arenal district. The food is Moroccan including coucous and tajines. The service and atmosphere is excellent! 8. My friends loved Bar Modesto at Cano y Cueto 5 in the Bario Santa Cruz, but i did not. I am not a big seafood fan and this place delivers platefuls! 9. Pastry at La Campana at c/ Sierpes 1 is absolutely delicious. Get the one that had the marshmallow on the top. I think its called a Chantilly. YUMMY! 10. Sit and smell the orange blossoms and the fragrance in the air. It's dreamy. A photo log of this post is on my yahoo sight. http://photos.yahoo.com/richardabfodors Look for the folder called "Seville Food" |
Wow! Richard - thanks for going beyond flamenco. Some of the restaurants you mentioned were on our list to consider but now I'm not so sure (e.g., Enrique Becerra). We love trying out of the way non touristy places so will take you up on your suggestions. Have you been to Granada? We have only one day there and probably won't have time to get off the hill. Is there any particular restaurant near the Alhambra you'd recommend?
Karen, thanks for confirming Richard's flamenco suggestion. Your itinerary and trip report helped us tremendously. I feel like I'm over planning for this trip but it was originally a 30 day trip and I'm trying to do it in 15 days. Richard, thanks for the reminder to stop and smell the orange blossoms. We leave May 21 - can't believe it's only a few weeks away! |
Seville is small so everything is within walking distance from the Alcazar! Pizzeria San Marco is closeset as is Bar Modesto and Casa Roman for Tapas.
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Richard, how was the weather in Madrid and Seville when you were there? I'm considering going to those areas next year at the end of March and am curious about the temps and rain factors! Thanks for your insight!
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We just returned from Spain.
For those staying at or know the location of Las Casas de la Juderia, Casa de Memoria is about a 2 minute walk. When exiting the laneway from the hotel, walk straight out with a slight veer to the right. It can't be more than 100-200 m (yards) on the left side. As indicated they stand outside selling tickets during the day and only have room for 50-75 people. The show is put on in a small, covered courtyard with chairs on three sides. We didn't really want a 2 hour, drink included, tourist show. What we got was an excellent presentation by a singer, guitarist and dancer. We were told by others who've seen Flamenco before that they thought the show was excellent. |
Chris, the weather in Seville was a mixed bag. we had some cool day and a few warm days (low 80's). There was a bit of rain in the afternoons and sometimes in the morning but it never lasted all day. we expected Seville to be warm but what we got was "jacket" weather. If I remember correctly we did get one cool day where i had to wear layers.
Barcelona was quite the opposite. We though we would get some chilly weather but had warm days everyday. It was a bit of a warm spell but I assume it could be chilly some days. My best guess is that you should be prepared with layers, some long sleeves and a medium weight jacket. I brought a medium weight jacket and a denim jacket. I got good use from both but usually in the afternoon I shed them. |
just marking this thread for future reference
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