Diamantina

Hello. If all goes to plan I'll be in Sevilla next month. I've already purchased tickets for Andrés Marín at Torre de Don Fadrique. It's open seating. How early we should get there or does it matter for this particular venue? (Because it would be nice to have dinner beforehand as the performance is at 10 p.m.) Are seats at the back okay? Also, how long are performances, typically?

I'm also interested in your opinion of the performance that will take place the following evening in the Real Alcázar. I think it would be a magical setting for a flamenco performance. I've also watched You Tubes of the performers and loved Argentina's voice. But I think attending 10 p.m. performances two nights in a row might be too much for my husband. With three performers, do you think this would be a long performance? Do you think I need to buy tickets for this in advance? There are presently 635 seats available.
JOSÉ MENESE & ARGENTINA & MILAGROS MENJÍBAR at Real Alcázar:
http://www.labienal.com/en/patio-de-los-cabales/

Many thanks

kimhe

The centuries old Torre Don Fadrique opened just a couple of months ago after many years of restauration. So I've neve been here for a concert, but it would quite possibly be spectacular. As it is open seating and dance, I would have gone early. I always try to have row 3-4 when seing flamenco dance, I think it often adds very much to be close up.

The venue is just off lively Alameda de Hercules with quite a number of cafes, restaurants and tapas bars. I use to stay close to this area, and some of the places are open also outside the usual hours. We often have a cup or glass at Cerveceria El Realito in the Southern end of Alameda de Hercules, stays open from early morning to late night. More than once we had a nice little meal here in the outdoor terrace outside normal hours before going for flamenco at 9 or 10. The Solomillo with roquefort sauce and fries is a favourite of ours, and it's a friendly and laid-back place.

If it was me, I would have had a meal here at about 7.30-8 and be in Torre Don Fadrique at least some 25 mins before. Don't expect much, it's a basic and affordable place, but also a very typical Spanish and no fuss cerveceria. Popular with locals for a glass and a bite. House specialities include Pulpo (squid) a la Gallega and Chipirones (baby squid) a la planca: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ClMYxg4STg
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Andalucia.html

Alternatively, all these places are within 10-15 mins walking of the venue:

Al Aljibe is open from 8: http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletap...ory/al-aljibe/

Casa Paco is open from 8 and fills up immediately. http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletap...ory/casa-paco/

La Fabrica is open all day: http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletap...ry/la-fabrica/

Sidonia, open from 8: http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletap...egory/sidonia/

The dance performances are typiclly some 70-80 minutes.

When it comes to the performance with Argentina etc in Real Alcázar, I think this also could be a spectacular experience. The seating would in my opinion not be so important here as it is mainly song/cante and the surroundings are so special in itself. If it's still over 600 seats free, you can play it by the ear and decide whenyou're there, it will most likely not sell out. This concert will normally be longer, don't be surprised if it lasts well beyond midnight.

Wish you some great days and powerful flamenco experiences in Sevilla!

Christina

I think they used to have flamenco performances at the Torre many years ago (about 15). It isn't a regular venue, it's in a garden and open-air, I think they set up seating/bleachers around the stage on 3 sides (4th side is the tower). There was already a flamenco performance there that didn't get great reviews, partly due to the staging/venue, but here is a Youtube video of it which may give you some ida what the place is like

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry11NOyFJSs

kimhe

Thanks Christina, seems like a very intimate and close up setting, so that might make my advise to turn up early not so relevant.

This kind of stage with seating on three sides can be very powerful, potenially creates a very intimate atmosphere. This was the almost improvised staging when I saw Rocio Molina for the first time in the Real Colegiata de Santa Maria la Mayor in Antequera eight years ago, a once in a lifetime experience.

Diamantina

Thanks so much Kimhe and Christina for all the flamenco insider tips. I'll print this out today and take it along on the trip.

Kimhe, I also appreciate the dining suggestions. I'd read about Al Aljibe elsewhere, now I'm even more interested. Though I know my husband would love those pulpo dishes at Cerveceria El Realito. We'll probably walk to Torre de Don Fadrique from Calle Reyes Católicos via Calle Jesús del Gran Poder, passing El Corte Inglés along the way (to check out the food basement as I'd like to bring home edible and/or drinkable souvenirs).

Christina, I loved that video link. What a fabulous performance, not just the music and dance, but its dramatic setting in the courtyard of the tower. Wow! Such an historic setting can only enhance the experience. Providing all goes as planned, I expect it will be immensely memorable.

Many thanks again.

Egbert

we're lucky to have Kimhe as our Flamenco expert!