It's 2:53am on Sunday as I type these words. Got home a few minutes ago.

Singer Jesus Montoya is in town for the week for several performances and workshops. Local flamenco promoter Nora Lopez decided to host a small "meet the artist" party in his honor during his short stay here in DC.

Isabel Otero, Jesus Montoya and "Isabelita" Otero. January 29, 2006 12:11am

Isabelita (that's my name for her) is an up and coming student dancer that I've had the pleasure of working with at the Andalucia restaraunt this month. She took Jesus' workshop and was very impressed with his teaching. What's special about his class, aside from the fact that Jesus is a gypsy from Sevilla, is that he can tell you, from a singer's perspective, how to dance with cante--and demonstrate it!

Miguelito and party hostess Nora Lopez. January 29, 2006 12:20am (photo by Juan Martin)

Nora performs ocassionally in the DC area but lately she's been known for putting her excellent organizational skills to use in putting together workshops, tablao shows and concerts. Everyone agrees that to be successful, you need to have a vision, a clear goal. But more importantly, it's essential to actually get off your butt and do what it takes to make that vision a reality. Nora is one of those successful people!

Anyway, back to the party...sooner or later at a gathering of flamencos the singing and dancing begins except we had one small problem: lots of guitarists but no guitar. My friend Juan Martin was kind enough to drive back home and pick up his instrument and sometime after midnight the jam session segment of the party began...

Nora, Torcuato Zamora and Jesus. January 29, 2006 12:23am

My friend who gave me a ride had to go early (she had an early day at work Sunday), but I couldn't leave without at least accompanying Jesus once before saying good night. At his request, I took the guitar and accompanied Jesus in tangos.

Jesus and Miguelito. January 29, 2006 12:28am (photo by Cecilia Terrasa)

In the few years that I've known him, it was my first time to accompany him--no, actually he stopped by Cafe Citron a year ago when he got up onstage for an impromptu bulerias. OK, so it was the first time I accompanied him in a private party. :-)

January 29, 2006 12:33am (photo by Cecilia Terrasa)

He sings, dances and does percussion but surprisingly doesn't play guitar. Well, playing guitar is not necessary for someone like Jesus. Why? Being the great flamenco singer that he is, Jesus is always in the company of some of the best flamenco guitarists!

Jesus. January 29, 2006 12:38am

He gave a bulerias dance workshop this past weekend that was very well received.

It's 2:58am on Sunday. Hopefully I'll wake up in time to make it to Joy of Motion at 12:30pm (the studio is a 10-minute walk from my house) and see if I can play for Estela Velez's Basics class. OK, time for bed. Good night!