I don't think tourists are uneducated, but this constant demand for authenticity is not always respectful, and oftentimes comes off as demanding with little sensitivity.

hi, louanne,

we were in Madrid last week and went to the cafe de chinitas on calle torija.

as well as the obligatory Japanese and other tourists, there were some locals there too. I'm not expert enough to judge how authentic it was, but the singing was very stiking as were a couple of the performers - one a singer, one a dancer, both with real "gypsy" features.

I googled your "casa de la memoria" in Jerez and found the cafe de chinitas on that site too, it that's any guide.

I also googled "casa patas" and found a flamenco site which gives a few recommendations.

good luck!

regards, ann

Some very interesting perspectives here. I fully acknowledge my own lack of education, having been to two performances of flamenco in my life, one of which was in 1972 in Seville, and the other of which was in 2006 at Casa Patas in Madrid.

I can't speak to the issue of authenticity, but of the two experiences the one 35 years ago felt the most "touristy". People came around taking pictures of us at our tables to sell them to us, for instance, and there was commentary in English.

At the performance last summer, we were surrounded mostly by people speaking Spanish, although I did identify a few other parties of people speaking English. The musicians appeared to have a large party of friends in the audience, of whom a couple got up and joined in for some numbers, and at the end two young children got up and danced with them.

There were two dancers, a man and a woman, who each performed two or three numbers. The man's dancing especially was thrilling; we all felt electricity in the air.

Sadly, I have no record of the names of any of the performers. I did buy a CD of music recorded live at Casa Patas and a few other CDs to which I have been listening at home.

ttt

Wow, gone for a few days and looks at all reactions I missed on this!

Thanks Kenderina you are correct there is no malice intended towards tourists in my remarks. Regardless of my background in Flamenco, I consider myself a tourist too when I travel so I am cerainly NOT saying all tourists are an "uneducated lot". But not all touisty places are worth the money.

I also agree with you that there is more to Spainish music than Flamenco.
Jotas from Aragon, Zaragoza, Navarra Spanish classical; Albeniz, Granados, Turina, & De Falla all are there for everyone to explore & enjoy.

Louanne wanted to know specifically about Flamenco as you know not all Spaniards are that into it, just as not all Americans are not that into Jazz or Blues. It is a matter of respect for that artform, Louanne you are correct. With better understanding of Flamenco, you will see that you will enjoy and appreciate it more.

La Claire: it is terrific that you are dancing. Take advantage of that now that you are young & healthy and can travel as you do. You are lucky!
I do understand your point of view re the levels of understanding of authentic Flamenco.

But really the only way anyone wil be able to identify authentiicity is to see it.

Surely you agree that everyone, regardless of level of expertise, deserves to see the best quality, most authentic Flamenco available... for their money or for free. It would be like saying that those new to ballet, classical music or opera might as well only see junior orchestras or performers, until they know more. Surely you don't mean that?

A rose can be beautiful to those that simpy get to savour it's sweet scent and beauty without knowing all the details experts know about it.

Anyway, if interested in it, with time everyone can become an aficinado/a, learn about "compas" to play palmas correctly, and how to do jaleo, no? Even if they don't dance.

Again there are so many websites & CDS to help you if you want to learn more. Or just go see & enjoy.