La Tasca expands into Rockville, Maryland. May 31, 2007
Jason and Claudia dancing Sevillanas in the patio area of La Tasca Rockville. May 31, 2007 8:37pm
It's 6:56am on Friday. Don't ask me why I'm up at this hour. Just am! 
Anywayz, last night (Thursday) I found out at the last minute that dancers Jason Vera y Aragón and Claudia were scheduled to perform at the new La Tasca in Rockville so I hopped on the metro and arrived in time to take a few pics of the show and the new restaurant.
Yeah, I know what you're thinking: who cares about yet another Sevillanas show? But it's still a good thing and here's why. First of all, Sevillanas can be done very artistically. Although I have to admit it's probably not very inspiring when most of the audience is not really paying attention. But c'mon, this is a restaurant after all and not a theater. Secondly, it's a decent source of income for full-time flamenco dancers so it keeps them from having to resort to getting the dreaded boring day job. And last but not least, it's a form of flamenco outreach to the general community. By this I mean that the show gives ordinary citizens who've had no exposure to flamenco before an experience that may inspire them to explore further. Who knows? That girl or guy taking perhaps three seconds to look up from their plate of tortilla española to watch the show might become a future flamenco dancer.
It's tempting to pass this off as just another restaurant gig, but every now and then, whether we're doing Sevillanas shows or tablao, there could be that one person in the audience whose life you could change.
May 31, 2007 8:38pm
May 31, 2007 8:38pm
There might be a few little kinks in food and service to work out as this new branch of La Tasca gets started, but I'd definitely come back here for the ambience of the courtyard. With the artistically-lit fountains, rustic cobblestone and the pretty trees, I could easily spend a few hours here sipping cool sangría with friends on a warm summer night. Lucky Jason couldn't ask for a more convenient gig: he lives only a five-minute drive from here. What's more is that there's a huge cineplex just a short walk away in case you wanted to top off the evening with a movie. (CORRECTION: actually it's not Jason's regular gig. He was just subbing at the last minute.)
May 31, 2007 9:38pm
May 31, 2007 9:38pm
May 31, 2007 9:38pm
Wednesday nights features a flamenco guitarist. Their sign says they have flamenco shows on Thursdays (but that's inaccurate. It's just Sevillanas) This new branch of La Tasca is located at 141 Gibbs St in Rockville, Maryland (a 15-minute walk from the Rockville metro on the Red Line). Call 301-279-7011 for more info.
Historical trivia: singer/dancer Carlton Ashton and I setup a flamenco show at La Tasca DC in 2004 (the first branch in the USA of this UK-based chain) which went on for a couple of months. Here are some pics from the first show. As the other DC area branches opened over the next few years, they decided to go with the Sevillanas show format.
It's a little after 7:00am now. Going back to bed. 
As for tonight (Friday), I'll be performing at Cabanas with dancers Ginette Perea and Shahram Tehranian. Also, Carmen de Vicente and Requiebros Spanish Dance Group are performing tonight and Saturday at Gunston Arts Center in Arlington. Ciao for now!
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