1Caroline

Thanks, kimhe. To those of you familiar with the sites, it may be easy, but for a 'first timer' it can be confusing.

Continental_Drifter

Another vote here for the Tablao de Carmen.

Tablao de Carmen: http://www.tablaodecarmen.com/


We went late night and only ordered from the tapas menu, but it was terrific. Great view, great show. The only flamenco I've seen better than this was many years ago in Las Cuevas outside Granada. Back then, it was a little dicey to go there, but now it's been commercialized.

Barcelona is a wonderful city to just enjoy. Buy some silver and leather goods. Walk Las Ramblas because it's there. Just keep a hand on your wallet if you are concerned.

The Picasso museum is certainly worth the time.

If you are new to Barcelona the hop on/off bus is a great way to get around the first day and get your bearings.

1Caroline

Thanks, Continental_Drifter. I appreciate your input. BTW, I like your ID. It says it all.

Continental_Drifter

Incidentally, while the "magic fountain" is a bit too Disney for me, it really was amazing to watch the music and lights before walking up the road to Tablao de Carmen. Not exactly a sophisticated or historic site, but fun nonetheless and you're there anyway. I think the magic fountain show is on Friday nights only, but you'll have to check on that.

Cali

We just left Barcelona last night and are in Palma de Mallorca today. We really enjoyed the beauty of the city and all the neat architecture. Everything everyone else mentioned were great places to visit We go on to Ibiza tomorrow. We also love Palma today What a neat and fun city Lots to see and if you love mega yachts as much as my husband you will love that too. Have fun.

1Caroline

If anyone's still viewing this thread, is it necessary to reserve a place very far ahead,at Tablao de Carmen or is it okay to wait until the day you are planning to go to make reservations? I think that one got the most votes here, so we're going to plan on going to that one.

Cali, you are really having fun on many dimensions. Enjoy.

kimhe

Make reservations at least a week or so ahead at both Tablao de Carmen and Tablao Cordobés to be sure.

Which is the best depends much on who's performing your night. More space at Tablao de Carmen, but Tablao Cordobés normally stages the most famous artists.

In September, October and November these three fabulous dancers perform at Tablao Cordobés together with great singers and guitarists. Very hard to beat if you want to see absolute top of the shelf flamenco dancers.
- Pastora Galván (Sevilla), voted best female flamenco dancer 2010 by Spanish critics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2SBUcrJgeQ
- Karime Amaya (Mexico City), grand-niese of the greatest flamenco dancer of all times, the barcelonesa Carmen Amaya (1913-1963). Karime's career on the Spanish flamenco scene is taking off right now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzBE8ZX9UE4
- Farru (Sevilla), the younger brother of superstar Farruquito, here toghether with guitar legend Paco de Lucía:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrxGsksJusU

At Tablao de Carmen, these artists are in about the same league:
- Moises Navarro (Málaga), all October to Nov 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk9sFHgjb7w
- Guadalupe Torres (Madrid), 22oct - 14 nov:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3Dxuh95qWs
- and young prodigy El Yiyo (Barcelona) is a regular here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ys4w3afgxc

The major flamenco event in Barcelona this year is the celebration of Carmen Amaya (1913-1963) in the majestic Catalan National Theater 30 Oct-10 nov. Info and tickets to "La Capitana": http://www.tnc.cat/en/la-capitana-ho...en-amaya-info/

Correct that flamenco comes from the south, but also a substantial flamenco culture in Barcelona. Here's the trailer to a recent documentary about flamenco in Barcelona: http://vimeo.com/51519531

And this year is a major flamenco year in Barcelona because of the Carmen Amaya centennial. http://www.deflamenco.com/revista/es...n-amaya-1.html

1Caroline

Thank you, kimhe. Then, I'll make our reservations before we leave the states to be sure I get into one of the two. We will go either 10/9 or 10/10. I'll take a look at the YouTube videos before making the final decision. I watched one yesterday from Tablao de Carmen and it was wonderful. Wish we could be in down during the celebration, but I'm sure we'll enjoy either of these. I'll report back on which one we see and our thoughts on it. Thanks, again.

1Caroline

I forgot to ask if there is a lot of smoking in the hall at Tablao de Carmen. I have a serious pulmonary condition and if it is heavy smoking I will have to avoid it. Thanks.

kimhe

No smoking allowed in any bars/restaurants/public spaces in Spain so that's no problem.

Pastora Galván, Karime Amaya, Paloma Fantova and Juan de Juan dance in Tablao Cordobés on your dates.

Moises Navarro, El Yiyo and Manuel Jimenez "Bartolo" (artistic director) dance in Tablao de Carmen. Not sure about the female dancers yet.

Either way, I think you'll have a great night with these and more top of the shelf artists.

1Caroline

Thanks, again. You are so helpful and I really appreciate it.