Pretty standard question: Good and authentic flamenco in Granada
 

Hi All

Will be in Granada for 5 days at the start of June and was just wondering what are people's recommendations for flamenco shows?

We are staying in the Albayzin (but obviously are not restricted to there). Jardines de Zoraya gets good reviews but our hotel have now suggested Venta el Gallo in Sacromonte, which does not get great reviews (too touristy etc).

Am a little confused now!

Thanks in advance.

PG

Too touristy?

All the 'shows' or tablaos are touristy, they are reliant on tourists to make wages. What is your knowledge of flamenco? Will you recognise any difference? Look to the respective websites and images anywhere and see what appeals. Are you sure your hotel is not recommending one over the other because of better commission?
If you are going anywhere else in Andalucia, especially vicinity Seville or Jerez, and whatever your understanding save yourself until that vicinity.

Thanks WomBatt.

Surely some of the shows are less "touristy" than others? My knowledge of flamenco is minimal but I will read up on it before I go.

I'm sure it is a possibility that my hotel are recommending this show based on commission, hence I am not promoting it. On the contrary, I am doubting whether it is any good.

I was in Seville and Jerez a few years ago and, unfortunately, I never made it to a show. Stupid I know but just bad planning on my part.

My recommendation would be to go for the Thursday night performance at Peña La Platería, one of the oldest exisiting flamenco clubs in Spain. Mostly a local crowd, and it's in the Albaycín district. This would be the real deal, and you could be up for an excperience to remember for very long. Sometimes they also have performances on Saturday nights. The performances starts at 10.30pm and the entrance is only some 10-12€ with one drink included. Also a restaurant, make reservations ahead. http://www.laplateria.org.es/

One of the greatest up and coming flamenco dancers today, Patricia Guerrero (23), literally grew up here, and the greatest local flamenco artists perform here on a regular basis. Here is the granaina Fuensanta La Moneta in Peña la Platería a couple of years ago. She was voted best female flamenco dancer 2009 by Spanish critics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWxzGui1Ng8

This clip gives you a better idea of the place and the atmosphere. Here, the great singer Diana Navarro from Málaga performs. She is not a traditional flamenco singer, but she has a beautiful voice and is fully capable of creating magic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgPrfjinEgQ

A very young Patricia Guerrero at Peña la Platería several years ago: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlMTSnQxgcc

A "regular" night here, after the performance and on request from the audience: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSGAVNtgIEw

The major flamenco performances in Granada are updated here. Mostly a local and knowledgeable crowd at these events: http://www.deflamenco.com/conciertos...n-granada.html

... and a little about some of the finest flamenco artists from Granada:

Eva Yerbabuena, probably the finest flamenco dancer the past 10-15 years: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IW3mZNprq0

Estrella Morente, the most successful female flamenco singer in the world today. Here in her Madrid theater debut several years ago: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUJA52_oDn8

Marina Heredia is perhaps the finest of all female flamenco singers on the current scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axxI6mBf8rk

Before mentioned Fuensanta La Moneta: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbO_lw2xWtU

Before mentioned Patricia Guerrero: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwZAMMHHe-M

Gema Caballero, one of my favourite cantaoras. Here doing an Argentinian tango at Casa Patas, the best tablao de flamenco in Spain: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mBQuT4JFHo

And legendary Enrique Morente who died much too early in 2010. One of the great sons of Granada. Here up in Alhambra with the guitarist Tomatito:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqQsKbBRe_Q

What else is there to say. A definitive answer indeed kimhe, well done.

Traditional music and dance in any country has unfortunately been degraded by 'tourist shows' that are attended by tourists almost exclusively. Finding the real think takes inside knowledge which kimhe clearly has pgriffin. You got lucky and struck gold on this one. Don't let it go to waste.

Yes indeed, thank you very much kimhe for the wonderful and insightful response. We will definitely go to Pena La Plateria when in Granada. I will also look at your videos as, for a novice like me, they should be a great way to become a little bit accustomed to the inner workings of flamenco.

Thanks again.
PG

Famous Spanish director Carlos Saura's masterpiece "Flamenco" from 1995. An excellent intro to the art: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H-j7VXEXzE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0ruMnZme8k
etc.

Sauras follow up film "Flamenco, flamenco" from 2010 with many of the greatest on the current scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmtj7hQ21sc

Thanks again kimhe.

We made it to the Thursday night show in Pena La Plateria and really enjoyed it. I am not well versed enough to comment too much on the performances but they seemed to be excellent.

When you get a chance, pgriffin, can you comment on the hotel you are staying in and how you like staying in the Albayzin?
I'm planning a trip for next year, and am torn about where to stay. I hope you don't mind my piggybacking onto this thread!
Paule

But Kimhe, what do you really know about flamenco?

Glad you had a fine experience at Peña La Plateria. Many young local talents on stage here, and very frequently the absolute greatest perform here for a predominantly local and knowledgeable crowd. http://www.laplateria.org.es/

If you were there on June 12, you saw Estela Rubio dance. Here she comes in at 2 mins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqofFh1JNek http://flamencoinstantesyluz.blogspo...nco-en-el.html

IMDonehere, perhaps more than is good for me ;-)

Kimhe, I do not know anyone with your knowledge or passion for flamenco.

IMDonehere
I do. When flamenco takes hold, it often get "worse" than this.

I went to Jardines de Zoraya last month with my family and had a very enjoyable experience. Dinner was good and the service was excellent. So if you end up there I don't think you will be disappointed.

Yes kimhe, I was there on the 12th and that is the lady alright. I believe she is gitano (rather than payo), she was very good and passionate (and also quite attractive I thought). Thanks again for your advice, from spending 5 days in Granada it seemed like a lot of tourist trash flamenco was being offered around - great to get an authentic recommendation.

progol - we stayed in Shine Albayzin at the edge of the Albayzin on Carrera del Darro. Would definitely recommend, perfect location, lovely hotel. You can see up to the Alhambra whenever you come out the front door.

pgriffin,
The "problem" with many of the more touristy flamenco venues is not that the artists are no good, often they are excellent. But flamenco is very much about communication between the artists and the audience, so the whole thing is often a totally different experience when you're with a predominantly local and knowledgeable crowd.

Many great bailaoras gitanas on the current scene, but IMO the best and most cutting edge now are paya. My two absolute favourites:
Rocio Molina (Malaga): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRLSLYvbn1c
Eva Yerbabuena (Granada): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IW3mZNprq0

kimhe

Poor grammar on my part, clearly gitana and paya when referring to the fairer sex :-)

I must admit that it did seem like there were quite a few tourists there, although definitely some locals too including a guy who kept shouting (encouragement?) at the stage. He then proceeded to get up and dance for the last five minutes with Estela Rubio.

Totally off-topic and I apologize for it but was dulciusexasperis banned?