Flamenco in Madrid and also good restaurants
 

When my friend and I are in Madrid, we would like to see some good flamenco, preferably at a venue that serves food or is just a theater, not a bar (because we are not drinkers). I've seen a few touristy spots advertised, but I'd love advice on the best places (touristy or not).

Also, any tips on good restaurants and/or tapas places (with or without music/entertainment)? We'll be close to the Gran Via but can take taxis and metro to anything further out.

We'll be in Madrid from June 18-23.

Thanks.

Ferrie

Huge flamenco event in Madrid on June 21, the most sucessfull flamenco singer in the world at the moment Miguel Poveda in Plaza de Toros Las Ventas, the Madrid bullring. Celebrating his first 25 years as an artist. He is acompanied by the best musicians and usually fabulous dancers as guest performers.

Tickets at Ticketmaster and El Corte Inglés:
http://www.ticketmaster.es/nav/en/mu...el%20po&t=fast
http://www.elcorteingles.es/entradas...into=200000001

A couple of clips:
- (Poveda comes in after 1.30) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kTazZdMUCw
- With fabulous bailaora Eva Yerbabuena: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q6tQQ9NuxQ
- A copla from the Almodóvar movie Broken embraces/Los abrazos rotos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3CJiJX-qLE
- He has toured half the world with arteSano the past year. Seing the final concert on the tour myself in his hometown Barcelona in a couple of weeks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o5Z9mOlS3k

Casa Patas, Las Carboneras and Corral de la Morería are among the very best tablaos/flamenco restaurants in town. Only top artists perform here. Casa Patas is in my opinion the best tablao in Spain the past few years: http://www.casapatas.com/

Thanks! Poveda has a most moving voice. I will see if we can get to his performance and/or one of the tablaos.

My companion doesn't understand Spanish, so I think we'd enjoy a place where you can see the dancing well.

You don't have to understand Spanish to enjoy flamenco singing. If you have a feel for it, it will get to you anyhow. The atmosphere at the Poveda event will be out of this world, and this could easily be the highlight of your trip.

If you want to be sure to see great flamenco dance, go to Casa Patas. Here are clips of some of the fabulous dancers that have recently performed here. Many of them voted best male/female dancer by Spanish critics in the past few years:
Pastora Galván: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY6Vy9tKW3U
Olga Pericet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55waEsaBzjM
Belén López: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hbhkIWSX-Q
Israel Galván: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL9Wav9v7Jc
Marco Flores: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1NpR5uqBvM

The Casa Patas "channel": http://www.youtube.com/user/CasaPatasenDirecto

Lovely. Definitely will plan on Casa Patas. (Love the name!) I must see if my companion wants to do the Poveda event-- my main concern is that there were not be enough visibility to make up for his not understanding the language or the music.

Thanks so much for your help!

F