kimhe

VALLS,

Just bull that flamenco is low in Barcelona. Here from my recent post about Barcelona and flamenco on another thread:

A very vital flamenco community in Barcelona, many of the absolute greatest flamenco artists on the current scene come from Barcelona or close by (such as singers Miguel Poveda, Mayte Martín, Duquende and Alba Carmona, dancers such as Karime Amaya (born in Mexico, but now back in her famous grandaunt Carmen Amaya's Barcelona), Belen Lopez, and Jesús Carmona, and brilliant guitarists such as "Chicuelo" and Juan Manuel Cañizares. And of course, the greatest of them all, the dancer (and singer) Carmen Amaya (1913/17-1963) was from the Somorrostro district in the now Barceloneta area just inland from the famous city beach by the same name. Here's a trailer to a recent documentary about flamenco life in Barcelona (with clips of both Carmen and Karime Amaya): https://vimeo.com/51519531

The greatest flamenco artists perform in Barcelona theaters all the time, there are two major flamenco festivals (the most cutting edge in all of Spain and one very traditional and festive) and here you also find two of the finest tablaos in Spain (El Cordobes and Tablao de Carmen). And El Dorado Sociedad Flamenca Barcelonesa is somthing very special, even on a national scale, intimate concerts from out of this world every now and then: http://eldorado-sfb.com/

It's correct that there are many tourists at the two top tablaos in Barcelona, but only top of the shelf artists perform here. Here is a short list with clips of some of the fabulous dancers that have recently been in Tablao Cordobes. These artists perform on the major stages both nationally and internationally and in the most prestigious flamenco festivals.

Pasor Galvan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2SBUcrJgeQ
Karime Amaya: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CklXLAvSIyc
Paloma Fantova: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck7hMzNH3b8
Farru: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrxGsksJusU
El Junco: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1I6bSrDGqc

kja

@ kimhe -- "Just bull..." -- oh no, back to the issue of bulls?!? ;-) (Sorry - couldn't resist!) We are so lucky that you are among the experts who so willingly share your knowledge of Spain with those of us who hope to travel there!

kja

@ kimhe -- I just took the time to view the latest round of videos you offered, and OMG, I (once again) can't thank you enough! Such extraordinairly entrancing flamenco, from such a diverse range of people! Thank you SO VERY much!

If I am able, in person, to see something that even vaguely reminds me of the glorious passion for dance and movement and rhythm that these videos (and other videos you have shared) convey, then my time and money for a seat at a "tourist" tablao in Barcelona (or two!) will be well worth while.

Thank you SO much for making sure I knew of my options to see authentic flamenco while in Barcelona!

I feel so lucky to have seen these performers, even if (so far) only by video!!!

kja

I am back from a perfectly wonderful, memorable, trip-of-a-lifetime to this awesome part of Spain! For more info, see:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...m#last-comment