• May 27, 2001 A more intimate ambiance
  • May 19, 2001 Baile is part of a trilogy
  • May 18, 2001 Tips for the DC Feria
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A more intimate ambiance
(Sunday May 27, 2001) It's unusual that several of my performer friends were free last Saturday night--usually each of us is performing somewhere. Still, you'd think that we do something different to take a break from flamenco on our night off, right? Wrong. We also like to support our friends, so last night we went to Las Tapas in Old Town Alexandria to listen to Duende Camarón.

Pictured from the left is dancer/musician Jason Vera y Aragón, dancer Marta Chico Martín, Duende Camarón guitarist Cesar Oretea and dancer Soheila La Persa.

The group Duende Camarón (consisting of guitarists Mario and José, cajón player "Junior" and bassist Waldo) performs at Las Tapas on Friday and Saturdays from 8:30 to 11:30pm-ish. Their repertoire includes the rumba "standards." But when they finished their final song last night, they handed me a guitar and we started a bulerías session with José‚ providing the cante, followed by Sevillanas sung by Marta and some tangos and back to bulerías. Before we knew it, it was about 1:00am. Time flies when you're having fun.

It was a refreshing change from our usual hangouts which seem to be getting more and more crowded these days. Las Tapas offers a more intimate ambiance.

It's located at 710 King St in Old Town Alexandria (about a 15-minute walk from the King St Metro on the Yellow Line). Call (703)836-4000 for more info and reservations. As usual, please remember to mention the DCFLAMENCO website when calling. Thanks!



Baile is part of a Trilogy
(Saturday May 19, 2001) This may be an obvious point, but at last night's beginners' workshop, Antonio Vargas took the time to elaborate. He's pictured here explaining how the dancer must work with the singer and the guitarist, as Ivana and the other workshop participants listen.

One often hears master teachers remind dance students, "Listen to the singer. Listen, listen, listen!" Good advice.

Through a little humor and easily-understood layman's terms, Antonio described the different sections of a typical letra (verse) of a soleá por bulerías. He was able to get across in five minutes, what took me years of observing countless flamenco shows to understand. He made us all laugh, and because his explanation was funny we're more likely to remember it. Afterwards, the students had a basic understanding of how the dancing interacts with the cante and the guitar. Do you know what the macho in a letra is? The participants in last night's workshop know.

It certainly helps that Antonio is an accomplished musician himself. Occasionally during the class, he borrowed one of the guitars and played the accompaniment himself--sometimes while dancing at the same time!

By the time you read this article, the DC area workshop will be over. Based on the enthusiastic response of the students, I'm certain Antonio will be invited back for another workshop very soon. He will be making an appearance with the Spanish Dance Theatre at the DC Feria on Sunday May 20 (see below).

Thanks to the Spanish Dance Society for hosting the workshop, to Linda Galindo for bringing him to the USA and of course to the students for participating.

Read Peter's review below and be sure to visit Antonio's website and sign the guestbook.

Tips for the DC Feria de Sevilla

Child students of Ena Camargo's Viva Flamenco studio

(Friday May 18, 2001) It's coming this Sunday May 20th! I've been going to the DC Feria for eight or nine years now (there was one year when it was cancelled). Here are a couple of things I have learned:

1. Get there early. The first group, usually Ena Camargo's Viva Flamenco, goes on at about 12:00pm. Every group works hard to put on a good show and deserves to have a good size audience--the children and other student performers need your moral support. There are groups performing every hour or so.

2. Another reason to get there early is to preview the food kiosks. Decide which ones you want to visit so that later in the day when the lines get long--my friend Jane contemplates the paellaand they will--you'll know what you're waiting for. Don't forget, you have to stand in line to buy food tickets and then stand in another line to use those tickets to get food.

3. If you're into photography or videos, take your camera or camcorder. There are lots of colorful costumes and personalities that you'll want to capture on film.

4. Make the rounds. There is lots to see. Don't just "plant" yourself at your favorite caseta. Each one has something special to offer.

5.Finally this last tip applies especially to the performers. During the rest of the year, many of us are in competition with each other. It can be a good thing--it challenges us to be our best. But on this special day, don't lose sight of what the Feria is all about: it's NOT to celebrate ourselves but rather to celebrate the beauty and richness of Spanish culture.


If you have any comments or tips you'd like to add, post them on the message board.

The Feria de Sevilla will take place on Sunday May 20 from 12pm to 6pm at Fort Reno Park which is between Wisconsin and Nebraska on Chesapeake Rd in NW DC. FREE admission! Nearest metro stop is Tenleytown on the red line. Directions. See you there!

(This is the earliest article in the archive.)

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© 2001 by Michael Pérez