Eddwarm

I am quite aware that Flamenco dancing is more prevalent and known in other areas of Spain, but I'd like some suggestions as to the one or ones that I should go to while I'm in Barcelona. I want to make this one of my experiences while I am there during the latter part of September and early October of this year (2010).

All suggestions would be appreciated. Advance thanks are the order of the day! - -

Eddwarm

It should have been tagged in Spain!

Gordon_R

The purists will no doubt frown on the very idea, but there is Flamenco at several venues in Barcelona. We've only been to one, which is definitely more toursit-oriented: the Tablao de Carmen at the Poble Espanyol. They do 2 sittings a night, and it's basically a set-price dinner and drinks with the flamenco show. It's good fun if you're in the mood, but it's a bit noisy and does attract tour parties.

kimhe

Barcelona/Catalunya is, as you say, not the hotbed of flamenco. Still, some of the greatest artists come from the area. Carmen Amaya (1913-1963), probably the finest flamenco dancer of all times, grew up in the Somorrostro district close to the Barceloneta beach. Two of the most talked about artists on the current scene also come from the area, the undisputedly most successful flamenco singer at the moment, Miguel Poveda (Badalona), and the brilliant up and coming bailaora Belén López (Tarragona).

Tablao El Cordobés at Ramblas 35 is highly reputed throughout all of Spain. http://www.tablaocordobes.com/historia/

For the moment, Ana Salazar is performing. She is among those very few these days, at least professionals, who both sings and dances. She regularly performs at the most important flamenco festivals.
http://www.deflamenco.com/entrevista...zar/indexi.jsp

kimhe

Also, fabolous María Pagés is dancing at Teatre Poliorama in Las Ramblas until the 19th of September. This would for sure be an experience to remember. http://www.3xtr3s.com/polio/ca/2010/05/autorretrato/

The greatest flamencos in the world performs regularly in Barcelona. During the latter part of September and the beginning of October the program might not be as full as usual though, because the worlds most important flamenco festival is taking place in Sevilla from Sept. 15th to Oct. 9th. Updates on flamenco performances in Barcelona theaters on this site: http://www.deflamenco.com/agenda/events.jsp?barrio=4

Vueling flies from Barcelona to Sevilla in 90 mins for 40-60€ in late September...

ribeirasacra

Here are some ideas.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntre...01278#17401278

Eddwarm

The suggestions which all of you presented are highly appreciated! I shall find myself at one performance at least, and I thank you for the salient assistance! - -

kimhe

Just found out that one of my favourite cantaoras (female flamenco singer), the up and coming and innovative 26 year old barcelonesa Alba Carmona, is performing at Tablao de Carmen Amaya in Barcelona every night from the 23rd to the 30th of September. At her best she is extremely powerful. This might very well be the group she comes with:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_gl3...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6wAQ...eature=related

kimhe

Regarding the previous posting:

Alba Carmona on her most powerful, from 3. mins:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmFnt...eature=related

This week-end she is performing in Rome as part of the famous Spanish director Carlos Saura's presentation of the new generation of fabolous flamenco artists in "Flamenco Hoy" (Flamenco Today). Carmona from 40 sec. and 4.30: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS7tjrr93e0

baladeuse

Just wanted to thank kimhe for the post above regarding Maria Pages (sorry I can't do the accents on her name). I took your advice and went to see her concert at the Teatro Poliorama 2 nights ago. As predicted, an unforgettable experience, definitely the highlight of our week in Barcelona. She is amazing and the whole show was wonderful.

If anyone has the opportunity to go see her before sept. 19th, please don't miss it.

We also went to one of the tourist shows at the "Palacio de flamenco", which was quite entertaining, but of no comparison with the quality of the dance.

Matt

Catalunya has a vibrant Flamenco scene, and there is in fact a distinctive catalan style (rumba catalana). See http://atiza.com for all sorts of concerts in Barcelona (minus classical), including Flamenco.

MadridMan

ALL of the Flamenco tablaos in Barcelona are touristy. Those which aren't are private and are by invitation only.

So I've only been to one in Barcelona, "Palacio del Flamenco" (web: http://www.palaciodelflamenco.com/ ). I got in free by special invitation but all the other guests were tourists and some Spaniards too. The place is quite elegant, actually, not the "Corral"-style you often find. This was more of a theater setting with a wide stage and seating only in front. Nearly everyone was having dinner while watching. The show was professional, the dancers and musicians too. One free drink was offered with entry.

It's located in the upper Eixample so it took me about 20 minutes walking from the Universitat/Plaça Catalunya area in which I was staying.

Saludos, BarcelonaMan & MadridMan @ YOU know where!

kimhe

baladeuse,

Very glad to hear you had a great flamenco night in Barcelona with fabulous María Pagés!

And to MadridMan, next time in Barcelona you should give Tablao Cordobés a chance. High standing among the flamenco artists themselves. Many of the greatest have performed here early in their careers, and established artists come here to have an upfront experience with the public and try out new things. You'll see tourists there, but in this case it goes well together with the real deal. For example, the mind-blowing dancer Concha Jareño worked Tablao Cordobés a month earlier this year, and I wouldn't be surprised if she will stand out as one of the greatest revelations during the upcoming edition of the Bienal de flamenco in Sevilla, starting tomorrow.

Concha Jareño dances at the 28th of September (almost sold out), and María Pagés on the 2nd and 3rd of October.
http://www.flamenco-world.com/notici...al22032010.htm

lifestylebarcelona03

Hey!

You should try Flamencotickets.com you chose your location and price and there you have a list of places with recommendations! There are plenty of Flamenco places in Barcelona and i should warn you that some are just a waste of your time and money. Not all the places are worth visiting especially the very touristic ones. You can have a flamenco show with a nice dinner as well in several places. http://tinyurl.com/32o5kae

Enjoy the show!

Lifestyle Barcelona

lee29

Has anyone ever been to the Gala Flamenco Show at the Palau de Musica? I was wondering how that would compare to the touristy type smaller flamenco shows. I know the big hall would be less intimate but would it also be better worldclass performers? THe venue would be incredible at the Palau. Has anyone been to the Gala show?

kimhe

Haven't seen it, but it sounds like a serious journey through the different palos (flamenco styles) by a group of young up and coming Catalan flamenco artists. This makes it even more interesting. Flamenco is traditionally associated with the South (Andalucía) where it originated, but there is also a strong flamenco tradition in Cataluña. Some of the most talanted artists today come from the region.

For example is Miguel Poveda the most successful flamenco singer in the world today (from Badalona), Belén López is one of the most promising young dancers on the world scene (Tarragona), and I think the singer Alba Carmona will be huge (grew up in Barcelona). The greatest flamenco dancer of all times, Carmen Amaya (1913-1963), was from the Somorrostro district close to the Barceloneta beach. Just to mention a few.

I haven't seen any of these artists, but as they are said to represent a new Catalan flamenco generation in the making, I think this can be huge. And no less so on home turf, in the spectacular Palau Música Catalana: http://www.grangalaflamenco.com/

JVH007

Juan Rafael Cortés Santiago, known as Duquende is also a great flamenco singer born in Barcelona - Sabadell. He is considered a successor to the best Flamenco singer of all times, Camarón de la Isla. Duquende was the first cantaor to be invited to perform at the Champs Elysées theatre in Paris. Since 1997, Duquende was a member of the Paco de Lucía Sextet in addition to working as a solo artist.

Duquende is having a concert on the 4th and 5th of september 2015 in Casa Camarón de la Isla in Barcelona, http://www.casacamaron.com, a new tablao Flamenco tribute to the great cantaor. Casa Camarón is very close to the famous Gaudi's cathedral, Sagrada Familia.

Tablao Casa Camarón has fantastic Flamenco daily shows directed by Israel Suárez el Piraña, ex-percusionist during many years with Paco de Lucía. http://www.facebook.com/CasaCamarondelaIsla

jamanna

Thanks JVH007 for this tip!

We went to Casa Camaron, which is now called La Bodega Flamenca, www.bodegaflamenca.com, and we had a blast! This was the best show I have seen so far in my travels throughout Spain! There is a small Bodega/Bar in front and a small intimate setting in the back, where the show takes place. Lot's of emotion and very authentic. The food was great, try the ensaladilla rusa with gambas and the Calamares with the citric mayonnaise! Check out the concerts, which are going on after the flamenco show, we kept on staying for a great Jam session afterwards! 5 stars, great place, we will definitely be back!

thomassar

I am going to the Palau de la Música to watch Barcelona Guitar Trio, with Spanish dancers José Manuel Álvarez and Carolina Morgado. It is not a typical flamenco show, but a mix of flamenco and Spanish guitars with three maestros who make a tribute to Paco de Lucía, accompanied by a percussionist and beautiful choreographies (www.maestrosdelaguitarra.com). It has a great feedback on TripAdvisor (https://goo.gl/NqlV7L) and web page with info about them. It looks that they only have published the dates for two months, although the play throughout the year. Worth trying. The Palau de la Música Catalana, by itself, is already a great reason to do it.