Flamenco fiesta at Torcuato's. September 17, 2006
Miguelito and Torcuato Zamora on guitar. September 17, 2006 7:20pm (photo by Juan/Gilbert)
It's 11:11am on Monday as I type these words. Yesterday, I went to Torcuato's house for a party. I was told we were welcoming back my dancer friend Mariya who was travelling in Europe for a few weeks--of course, I'm glad that my dear friend Mariya's back, but she was only gone for just a few weeks, c'mon. (She'll half-jokingly punch me later for saying that, hehe.) But if you know Torcuato, you know that he absolutely loves to entertain. So whatever reason he chooses to celebrate, it's a good thing for those of us who attend. Why?
For one thing, he's a great cook. And he's a good host. And did I mention that he's a great cook? :-) There was lots and lots of food--too much in fact so he sent me home with a few Tupperwares' full of paella, chorizo, jamón serrano, artichoke and salad.
God, I can still remember the first time I ate artichoke as a teenager. 'Cept I was living in Accra, Ghana and my parents were diplomats working for the Department of State there. So occasionally I'd be invited to formal dinner parties where the guest list included people from literally all over the world. So it wasn't just a dinner. I was in a small way, representing the United States. Cool. I can deal with that responsibility--I was a cocky little teenager convinced that I could do anything I set out to do.
But I wasn't ready for my first artichoke. It was a funny pineapple-looking green thing. I waited until others began to peel a leaf off and did the same. But I should've watched what they did upon placing it in the mouth. Cuz I ended up trying to eat the whole leaf which I quickly discovered is very very tough. I chewed and chewed and chewed and I still couldn't make it small enough to swallow. So I had to do what we all did at some formal dinner party somewhere sometime in our lives: discreetly remove the inedible whatever into the napkin and just hope it didn't fall out later.
For you future diplomats, I'm here to help. Here's a guide on how to cook and eat an artichoke.
OK, so this little tangent had nothing to do with flamenco, but at least when you are lucky to be invited to one of Torcuato's parties, you'll be eating artichokes like a champ. :-)
Anywayz, getting back to da par-tay...
Juan Pagan and Pepita. September 17, 2006 7:00pm
It officially started at 3:00pm and I got there like 3:30-ish although normally I'd probably get there at 4 or 5 just cuz I like to get to parties when the momentum is up and running already. I was hoping to get there early, enjoy myself awhile and politely excuse myself to join some of my other friends later but still early in the evening. Of course, things don't always turn out the way you expect them and I ended up staying at Torcuato's party until the very end--in this case for all five hours which is pretty decent for a Sunday night party where most of the guests have daytime jobs to go to the following day.
As is typical of DC flamenco parties, the guitars didn't come out until the very end and so at 7:15-ish, Torcuato got the music started. We had several musical guests including Juan Pagan (whom I worked with in a tuna-esque group accompanying the Spanish Dance Society) and singer Pepita. Another singer from Puerto Rico sang a few songs accompanied by our gracious party host.
Little Sonia, Katherine, Morgan and Estela dancing Sevillanas. September 17, 2006 7:21pm (photo by Juan/Gilbert)
After the serenading part of the evening was over, it was time to bring the dancers onstage which almost always begin with some Sevillanas.
Morgan in fandangos de Huelva. September 17, 2006 7:31pm (photo by Juan/Gilbert)
Later we managed to get some of the other dancers in the audience to get up onstage and do some fandangos de Huelva, alegrías, farruca and tanguillos de Cádiz--the latter performed by little Sonia wearing sandals, wow!
When we ran out of willing performers, the guests took that as a cue for time to say their thank you's, goodbyes and call it a night...
Torcuato and Katherine. September 17, 2006 7:56pm
Torcuato and Ceci. September 17, 2006 7:57pm
Torcuato and Marina. September 17, 2006 7:58pm
Torcuato and Estela Velez. September 17, 2006 8:00pm
Rebecca, Torcuato and Sara. September 17, 2006 8:15pm
I stuck around to help clean up and made it home at a decent hour. It did cross my mind that I could do the same sort of entertaining, years from now in the Pink Flamenco, where I currently live but eventually the owners will tear the place down. As you know, it's one of the few old houses remaining on this high-rise apartment-filled block in the affluent community of Chevy Chase--I'm not one of those affluent. The property is of course worth millions considering what you'd make in profits if you did tear down the old house and build in its place a high-rise. So...does anyone have five million to loan? :-)
Anywayz, just heard that the forecast is for sunny weather and temps in the high 80's, yay! Gonna get out of the house, drop off my sound system at Cafe Citron early and enjoy the day. See you tonight at Citron!
p.s. tonight is officially the 5th anniversary of the Monday night flamenco show at Citron, yay!
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