Anyone know of any good flamenco shows in Barcelona? Something that is not a tourist trap?

Wil- <BR> <BR>As Flamenco is the typical dance of Andalucia in the very south of Spain, any show as far north as Barcelona is bound to be a tourist trap. Might be a similar experience as Bluegrass Music in Palm Springs . <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip. There's much to be enjoyed in Barcelona, even without Flamenco. <BR> <BR>Phil.

That said, there are indeed a number of evening venues in Barcelona that feature a combined dinner and flamenco show. We recently visited the Tablao de Carmen at the Poble Espagnol (Spanish Village) on Monjuic. Sure, everyone in the audience was a tourist, but generally in couples or small groups (no bus tours), the food was good and the level of exppertise among the dancers and musicians was impressively high. All things considered, a memorable evening. Their web site is at www.tablaodecarmen.com.

Certainly can recommend a non tourist evening. As you walk up Las Ramblas (from Chris Colom.)I think it is the first square on your left. The guide books describe it as the square where the rich folk and the tramps hang out (but not together of course). Turn left as you enter the square and the Flamenco place is approx two shops along. A tapas bar is on it's far right selling very salty foods. <BR>The flamenco club is small allowing the audience to see close up, with seats in Gaudi style as in Parc Guell. We had a very enjoyable evening, the flamenco was awe inspiring. <BR>Hope you can find the place.

Soz, turn right (a la derecha) as you enter the square...

Flamenco in Barcelona is an oxymoron. Only in Andalucia or Madrid will you find the real thing, a traditional "tablao". It is a lot less flashy and much more improvised than the tourist trap flamenco shows. There are no authentic "tablaos" in Barcelona. <BR> <BR>Catalonians renegate Spain in a major way. Rejecting Flamenco is one of them. <BR> <BR>That said, the Tablao de Carmen has to be the least worst of all the flamenco shows in Barcelona. However, it IS a tourist trap. <BR> <BR>Depending on when you go you may find myriads of things that are authentically Catalonian. For Flamenco, you'd be better off somewhere else. <BR>

Jean <BR>Don't go by what is in and what is out. Take what you see. I really did enjoy the flamenco I saw and sat in a room surrounded by loads of Spanish folk. OK they may well have been spanish farmers on their hols, but they enjoyed it too.

I think the best way to see Flamenco art is during some of the Festivals held around Spain, but specially in the south ( Sevilla, Jerez ) or going to some of the "peñas" or "tablaos" also normally situated in the south as well. Having said that, major cities as Barcelona or Madrid have experienced flows of artists from everywhere and sometimes have become well-known there. Barcelona is fortunately one of the most open-minded cities in the world, and this is one of its attractions. Of course, it is a pretty beautiful city just by the sea. I do not think Barcelona citizens renegate of anything, just they do not want to loose their basic culture, which is, BTW, quite rich, and this does not mean renegating different cultures or influences. This is the richness of this city and deeply taken roots in its soul. To summarize, Barcelona is not the best place to see an "authentic" flamenco show as it is not Madrid but maybe you can enjoy one nice night in some of those places. You might check also the theater scene. Some of the best flamenco shows usually are on tour.

Don't worry about whether it's a "tourist Trap." I have studied various forms of dance, incuding flamenco, for about 17 years. Seen a few shows in Spain, some of them in places primarily for tourists. They had some really good dancers and the show was well worth it. Flamenco may not be "native" to all regions of Spain, but even in those where it's not, I have seen some good shows. Try Los Tarantos in Barcelona. The hotels have also had reliable recommendations for what's current. Also "Time Out" has good recommendations.

Dear Siobhain: <BR> <BR>I don't necessarily go by "what's in and what's out". I would find that going to a Flamenco show in Barcelona would be a waste of time and money if you are looking for something authentic. <BR> <BR>If you want a "taste" of Spain, Barcelona is the wrong place to get it. <BR> <BR>It would be like trying to get a Philly cheesteak outside of Philly, or Mexican food outside of Mexico, or a Luau outside of Hawaii, or going to a pub in Germany for "authentic" pub ambiance. <BR> <BR>Nice? Yes. Authentic? Most certainly not. It would depend a lot on what you want to see, or what your expectations or preformed images of a country may be. <BR> <BR>If you go to Barcelona in August, for instance, and you go to a "Flamenco" show, you'd be missing what has to be one of the most interesting street parties anywhere, the "Fiestas de Gracia", in the Gracia neighborhood, when every street is decorated with a theme, there are a lot of castels, and correfocs, and true catalan traditions. (That and a lot of drinks <BR> <BR>If you go to Barcelona during September, you'd walk right in the middle of "La Merce", the main festivities of the city. There are concerts, more castels, a spectacular correfoc that starts in the Placa de la Seu (in front of the Cathedral), a fireworks competition (you'll never see fireworks the same way again; just went to Orlando, was quite disappointed), and the "piromusical" at Placa Espanya. It is just amazing! <BR> <BR>What is better? Spending 40-50 USD per person in going to a Flamenco show? Or going to the Liceu for a lot less? Then again, it depends a lot on what you want.

Lets get back to the beginning. <BR>Wil, presumably you're going to Barcelona so there is little point in advising you to go to Andalucia or somewhere else where it may be more 'authentic' and <BR>Barcelona, like all world class, cities is full of tourists. <BR>That said, you asked for a good Flamenco show, which is what we saw, in a small club full of Spaniards. <BR>So the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra may become a shadow of their real selves in another city, and Californian Chardonnay is by definition undrinkable. Let the purists keep their heads stuck where the sun don't shine - go out and enjoy yourself.

Dear Siobhain: <BR> <BR>I am not a big fan of bickering, so I will just say thanks for your very civilized comments.