practice skirts
sevillanas dresses
batas de cola...
Custom fitted traditional and modern flamenco designs...
www.raquellopezdesigns.com
Article by Eve A. Ma
Photo by Mimi MartinezOriginally, in the days of our great grandparents and before, the word “flamenco” meant what today is called flamenco cante, flamenco singing. What this indicates is that there was nothing—no dancing, no guitar, or anything else—associated with flamenco other than the cante sometimes accompanied by palmas (hand clapping).
The dance came into flamenco about 100 years ago so that people who couldn’t sing could participate and enjoy themselves…and also so that there would be something to present to an audience and earn money. The guitar started being used in flamenco even later, and for pretty much the same reasons as the dance.
Flamenco cante. This is a huge topic. Let’s just have a brief look. The quality that best characterizes it is the profundity of its emotion—something that allows the listener to feel his/her own emotions in a new light. The cante opens to each member of the audience his or her own heart.
Let’s enlarge a bit on this idea. Flamenco cante, because of its emotional quality, allows us to feel more deeply our own humanity, our own connection with other people, and our own connection to our own emotions. These things are important.
In another sense, flamenco cante represents a community, a community that is for the most part Gitano (Gypsy), and the purest expression of cante describes (gives voice to) a particular way of life. It’s a way of life characterized by great poverty and the constant threat of punishment.
In addition to this community, the foundation of flamenco cante relies on the communication by the singer —cantaor— of his/her own, personal experiences. And because our childhood is so important in forming our way of looking at life and our emotional responses, we should also recognized that flamenco cante has its basis in the childhood experiences of each, individual cantaor. This is the origins of its universality.
With these thoughts in mind, Antonio de la Malena and I (Eve A. Ma) are creating a video-film about the childhood of a flamenco cantaor born and raised in Jerez de la Frontera, in lower Andalucia (Spain). The cantaor in question, non other than Antonio de la Malena, experienced a great deal of suffering in his childhood as have pretty much all flamenco cantaores, and like every good cantaor, he expresses this suffering in his singing.
We’ve named our video-film “The Price of a Piece of Chocolate” because of an incident that occurred when Antonio was about eight years old. But the video-film begins shortly before his birth and we end it when he’s 13 years old.
We’re using actors, period costumes, and a regular script to tell his story. We believe we’re producing something that will be of interest to all of you and invite you to look at some of the videoclips and photos that we’ve posted on the web sites www.PalominoPro.com (check out the Projects in English—Narratives, and the Support Us—Implicate buttons) and the site IndieGogo.com.(scroll down for lots of videos, photos, and information).
We’ll also be creating a web site very soon that is specifically for this show which will use the address www.CalzoncillosdeChocolate.com. We expect to have this web site up and running by the end of June.
If you’re interested in what you see, we invite you to send us your comments. On these web pages you can also see some of those who have helped us out, people and businesses for whose support we are very grateful. And because a project of this size always welcomes more support, we invite you to join in, either with a financial contribution or other for of help.
Finally, if you are a person who is moved by flamenco cante, we hope you will listen to it often and with an open heart.

ODC Theatre and Caminos Flamencos
Created and directed by Emmy Award-winning dancer Yaelisa, with music by Jason McGuire “El Rubio,” and featuring a changing cast of world-class performers, special guest artists, and surprises to come, Café Flamenco returns in style to the historic Verdi Club in the Mission District, one of San Francisco’s beloved gems. With a gracious bar lounge and gorgeous ballroom built in 1916, the Verdi Club invites the community to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of flamenco in the Bay Area. Wine, roses and a menu of Spanish tapas make for an unforgettable experience of Spain close to home… reserve your table early!
Shows at 8:00pm, 9:00pm and 10:00pm. Go online to make your reservations! Plenty of street parking available for patrons...
Café Flamenco at the Verdi ClubJune 5, July 10, and August 5
Sevillanas Club and Open Stage Juerga in between sets!
Friday, June 5 “Flamenqueando”
Friday, July 10 “Feria de Sevilla”
Sevillanas Contest w/ Prizes!
Friday, Aug. 7 “Fin de Verano”
Tickets:
$18 in advance, $22 at the door
(Children under 12, $10)
Online at www.brownpapertickets.com
or phone (800) 838-3006
Contact Caminos Flamencos at:
info@caminosflamencos.com
or call (510) 531-9986
Café Flamenco at the Verdi Club
2424 Mariposa St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 861-9199
www.verdiclub.net
www.caminosflamencos.com

Virginia Iglesias presents
DECANTARES
Sunday June 21, 2009, 4:00pm
Mission Cultural Center
2868 Mission Street, San Francisco
The Flamenco Academy celebrates 18 years! Artistic director and critically acclaimed choreographer Virginia Iglesias presents premiere works and re-staged favorites in a new spectacular featuring a vibrant ensemble of 26 artists, including world-class musicians and students of the Flamenco Academy. Join us for an evening of original music and dynamic choreographies expressing all the colors of flamenco!
Always a sell-out! A celebration of flamenco that's not to be missed!
$ 20 General Admission
$ 12 Children (under 10)
tickets ON SALE NOW!
tickets: www.brownpapertickets.com
Virginia Iglesias / Artistic Direction / baile
Jorge Liceaga / Musical Direction / guitarra
Special Guest Artists:
Roberto Zamora, cante/baile
Rachel Durling, violín
Miguel Govea, acordeón/trompeta
Arwen Lawrence, cante
Soraya Sanchez, cante
'El Tico', percusión

Kaweh
In concert in Redwood City, CA
Saturday, June 27th, 2009
Little Fox Theater
2215 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 369-4119
Show starts at 8:00pm
(Doors open at 7:00pm)
Tickets are $18

YAELISA FLAMENCO WORKSHOP SCHEDULE **updated!!**
FLAMENCO WORKSHOPS
with Yaelisa
TUESDAYS, April 28 - June 23, 2009 (8 wks)**
Dimond Studios, 3611 Dimond Ave, Oakland, CA 94602
Fruitvale Bart Station #57 Bus - MacArthur & Fruitvale stop - Plenty of Parking
7-8PM Int./Adv TECHNIQUE FOR TACONEO & MARCAJE
8-9:15PM Int./Adv Flamenco BULERIAS (de Cadiz and for Solea)
$120 for 8-Week Workshops - NO DROP-INS ~ Contact Yaelisa at info@caminosflamencos.com or (510) 531-9986
ADVANCE REGISTRATION ONLY ~ SIGN UP EARLY!
THURSDAYS, April 30 - June 18, 2009
Dimond Studios (address and contact as above)
7-8PM INTRO/Beginning Flamenco (class may currently have 1-2 spaces available)
8-9PM Int. SEVILLANAS W/ ABANICO and CASTANETS
$110 for 8 week workshops
$18 Drop-in ONLY with permission of instructor - ADVANCED REGISTRATION REQUIRED
SATURDAYS, MAY 9 - JULY 11, 2009 (8 wks)
(No class June 13)
Ashkenaz Music & Dance Center
1317 San Pablo Avenue/Gilman in North Berkeley
12-1PM FLAMENKIDS (ages 6-10)
1-2:15PM Beg./Int. FLAMENCO TECHNIQUE
2:30-3:30PM Int./Adv. BULERIAS
$18 Drop-in - $110 for 8-week workshops
$13 Drop-in - $90 for FLAMENKIDS
Yaelisa is a master instructor who has won numerous awards for her choreographies. Her classes focus on introducing students to the movements, rhythms and feeling behind this exciting dance form. The classes are an intense workout, yet fun for beginners and advanced dancers alike. Yaelisa is the artistic director of the award-winning Caminos Flamencos Dance Company, Compania Somos Flamencos, and the co-founder of the New World Flamenco Festival.
TO CONTACT YAELISA: info@caminosflamencos.com or call (510) 531-9986
TO CONTACT MIMI: mimicordel@aol.com or call (510) 387-7795
**THESE WORKSHOPS HAVE A LIMITED NUMBER OF SPACES. SEND IN YOUR CHECK BY MAIL OR TURN INTO MIMI ASAP TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE. TUESDAYS 6-7PM AND WEDNESDAYS 4-5PM BEGINNING FLAMENCO SESSIONS ARE CURRENTLY FULL, BUT WILL SOON HAVE A FEW SPACES LEFT. CHECK WITH THE TEACHER FOR AN OPENING.

Carolina Lugo & Carolé Acuña
SUMMER WORKSHOPSBy popular demand Carolina Lugo & Carolé Acuña are touring the Bay Area with their high energy, intense, fun and informative "Flamenco Movement Boot-Camp for Belly Dancers & Flamenco Dance Afficionados"!
Location:
Pleasure Point Fitness & Dance Center, 907 41st Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062.
Every 3rd Sunday of the month May 17th 2009 thru July 19th 2009!
Date/Time: Sunday, May 17, 2009 ~ 1-4:15 pm (break from 2:30-2:45 pm)
Workshop Fee: $70 (both classes), on/or before May 15, 2009, $80 after 5-15-09 (both classes), Drop-in day of workshop (if space is available), 1 class-$42, both classes-$84........ 3 month workshop series=$210 by 5-15-09, $240 after 5-15-09.
Registration & advanced payments: janelle@janelledance.com - make checks payable to Pleasure Point FDC {include your name & class/classes you are registering for} Send to: Pleasure Point Fitness & Dance Center, 907 41st Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062.
No Refunds after 5-15-09 ~ No Class Credits, No Exceptions
Workshop Curriculum:
1st class-1-2:30 pm- Floreos (hand work), braseos (arm work), Movimientos del cuerpo (upper body work), and application to dance.
2nd class-3-4:30 pm: Turns, floor exercises incorporating the arms, hand work, and use of shawl/veil and Spanish fan! Short choreography fusion of Flamenco and Belly Dance.
Attention Dancers....., remember to bring your veil/manton/mantoncillo and Spanish fan to the workshops!
Thank you for your support and enthusiasm! We will see you at the workshops - Carolina and Carolé
Flamenco Dance Classes with La Tania
San Francisco, 2009
!!! NEW CLASSES & SCHEDULE !!!
Next workshops begin on May 19, 2009
Tuesday Evenings (workshop sessions)
6:00 - 7:00 Beginning I
7:00 – 8:00 Beginning II
8:00 – 9:30 Fiesta style Bulerías
City Dance School
32 Otis Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Friday Evenings (workshop sessions)
6:30-7:30 Intermediate
7:30-8:30 Advanced
8:30-9:30 Bata de Cola
San Francisco Dance Center
26 7th St., 5TH Floor (near Market St.)
For current and detailed information on workshops:
www.latania-flamenco.com
FEES
Tuesday and Friday classes are in workshop sessions, please contact Jamille for more information and to Register: 831-238-2132 or E-mail: classes@latania.org
To receive information on workshops, join our MAILING LIST.
Virginia Iglesias
FLAMENCO ACADEMY OF DANCE
For more information:
www.flamenco-academy.com
email: info@flamenco-academy.com
Virginia Iglesias presents:
Decantares
Sunday, June 21, 2009, 4pm Matinee
Mission Cultural Center
2868 Mission St, San Francisco
www.flamenco-academy.com/shows.html
JUNE UPDATES AND NEW CLASSES!
NEW SESSIONS begin for Level 2 technique classes on Tuesday, June 23 [7pm] and Saturday June 27 [1pm].
If you have been wanting to join these Level 2 technique classes...NOW is the time!
NEW SESSION begins for Tuesday Choreography Class!
Bulerias por Fiesta! Starts Tuesday, June 30, 8pm.
SPECIAL!... New Students save $2 on your first class! Just mention this offer!
New Beginner classes offer special exercises designed for quick development. Drop-ins welcome! Year round performance opportunities for level 2 and level 3 performance groups.
SAN FRANCISCO... We welcome Drop-ins!
San Francisco Dance Center
26 7th Street, 3rd floor
Tuesdays
6-7 pm New Beginner
7-8 pm Level 2 /Technique *NEW SESSION begins June 23!
8-9 pm Level 2 /Choreography/ Level 2 Performance Group *NEW SESSION begins June 30/ Bulerias por Fiesta!
Thursdays
7:15-8:30pm Advance Level Performance Group / Choreography
Saturdays
12-1 pm New Beginner
1-2 pm Level 2 / Technique *NEW SESSION begins June 27!
2-3 pm Castanets / Level 2 / Choreography
PALO ALTO ...Drop-ins Welcome!
Zohar School of Dance
Cubberley Community Center
4000 Middlefield Rd, Building L, Room 4
Mondays
7:45-9 pm New Beginner
9-9:45 pm Level 2/ Tech/ Choreography
ALAMEDA ...Drop-ins Welcome!
West Coast Dance Theatre
1701 Lincoln Ave. @ Grand St., Alameda, CA
Fridays
6:30-8:00 pm Level 2/ Tech/Choreography **NEW CLASS!
ALAMEDA
"Dance 10", 900 Santa Clara Ave. @ 9th St.
Sundays
12:00-1:00pm / Children & Moms Flamenco!
Ages 5 & up / 6 Week Workshop ~ $84
Registration required! Please visit our website...
www.flamenco-academy.com
Carola Zertuche

La Solea Dance Studio
150 McAllister Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(BART: Civic Center)
(415) 531-1141
Carola_zertuche@yahoo.com

La Solea Dance Studio
studio space available at La Solea
For more information on classes and studio rental contact Carola at carola_zertuche@yahoo.com or (415) 531-1141
Classes with Carola Zertuche resume in April
Please click on the link below for more information:
lasoleadance.blogspot.com
SARA AYALA
Cerrito Dance Arts Center1534 Kearney Street, El Cerrito, CA
Saturdays
12:00-1:00pm
Beginning Flamenco for Adults and Teens
(ongoing class)
1:00-4:00pm
Children's Private and Semi-Private Lessons
Thursdays
7:00-9:00pm
Intermediate-Advanced Technique and Choreography
(ongoing class)
-----------------------------------------------
NEW SESSIONS at the YWCA
2600 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA
Mondays
Session I - June 8 to July 6
Session II - July 13 to August 10
7:45-8:45pm
Beginning Flamenco
8:45-9:45pm
Intermediate Flamenco
Registration Info: www.ywca-berkeley.org
OR phone (510)848-6375
Carolina Lugo & Carole Acuña

SUMMER Classes 2009 ~ 3 Academy Locations
with Carolina Lugo & Carolé Acuña
San Francisco - Concord - San Jose
CONCORD ACADEMY
"Brisas de España Dance Academy-Center For Hispanic Cultural Arts"
1301-C Franquette Ave, Concord 94520
Performance Opportunities for December Student Recital....New choreographies for all classes! Register now to be a part of a yearly tradition since 2000!
MONDAY'S
5:30-6:30 pm ~ ONGOING CLASS!
Parent & Me or Grandparent & Me! ~ Introduction to Flamenco ~ Ages 3-6
Workshop Fee: Adult & Child= $24/$30-drop-in/parent-child - plus $25 non-refundable new student registration fee
Child only/ages 6-7= $17/$23-drop-in - plus $25 non-refundable registration fee
7:00-9:00 pm- Guitar accompaniment
Advanced Flamenco Technique and Choreography "Zapateado"
TUESDAY'S
5:00-6:00 pm ~ Kid's Beginner Flamenco-ages 7-11
{Note: Classes are priced separately}
New Times starting June 2, 2009
6:30-7:30 pm- Beginner I & II Flamenco Technique
7:30-8:30 pm- Choreography- "Tangos Basics"
5:30-6:30 pm- New Introductory Class starting June 16 thru July 21st!
New Beginner Latin Fusion Movement Class ~ Singles/Couples-Adults/Teens
For the casual dancer/exercise seekers. {pre-enroll by 6-10-09 and take $5 off 1st class!}
Gift Certificates Available!
WEDNESDAY'S
4:30-5:30 pm ~ Kid's Flamenco ~ Ages 5-10
Development of musicality and coordination w/arms, handwork, falda.
Choreography "Tanguillos"
Intermediate I & II Flamenco: {Note: Classes are priced separately}
5:30-6:30 pm ~ Technique w/castanets
6:30-7:30 pm ~ Choreography- "Cantiñas w/fan"
Intermediate III
7:30-9:00 pm- Technique & Choreography "Colombiana"
THURSDAY'S 5:30-6:30 pm ~ New Workshop series starts June 11th thru July 23rd!
New Beginner Latin Fusion Movement Class ~ Adults/Teens ~ Men & Women!
For the casual dancer/exercise seeker {pre-enroll by 5-31-09 and take $5 off 1st class!}
Gift Certificates Available!
6:30-8:30pm ~ New Time starts June 11th
Spanish Dance w/castanets, Levels II & III- Technique & Choreography: excerpts from "Three Cornered Hat" by de Falla
8:30-9:30pm ~ Flamenco Cuadro Style Dance/Intermediate III-Advanced Technique
FRIDAY'S
Open for Private/Semi-private classes by appointment only
Now SATURDAY'S starting September 12, 2009!
11:00 am-12:00 pm
Kid's Spanish Dance w/castanets ~ Ages 5-10
Development of musicality and coordination w/ castanets, handwork, arms, Spanish dance movements....
Choreography to music by de Falla, Flamenco 8 count rhythms.
Class Fee: Introductory Special-$12/$18-drop-in {drop-in rate applies to 2 or less classes per mos.}
12:00-1:00 pm
Adult "Flamenco Dancercise Class"- TM-2008-2022-C. Lugo: For the casual dancer, exercise seeker bored with the regular Gym...
Class Fee: Introductory Special-$12/$18-drop-in {drop-in rate applies to 2 or less classes per mos.}
1:00-2:00 pm Latin Fusion Dance-Ages 12-Adults
A fusion of steps and body movements to the rhythmic beats of Salsa, Mambo, Brazilian Samba & Argentine Tango/ Social dance style for Singles and/or Couples
Class Fee: Introductory Special-$12/$18-drop-in {drop-in rate applies to 2 or less classes per mos.}
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SAN FRANCISCO ACADEMY
Classes taught by Carolé Acuña ~ www.caroleacuna.com - caroleacuna@gmail.com
DUNIYA Dance Studio, 3380 19th St/Mission, SF
TUESDAY'S
6:30-7:30 pm: "MODENCO" open class level
7:30-9:00 PM: FLAMENCO Intermediate Technique & Choreography "Farruca"
DSG Studio, 564 Monterey Blvd, San Francisco 94527
THURSDAY'S
{Note: Classes are priced separately}
6:45-7:45 pm
Beginner Flamenco Technique
7:45-8:45 pm
Intermediate "Alegrias"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SAN JOSE ACADEMY
1062 Lincoln Ave, San Jose {Willow Glen Area}
Classes taught by Carolina Lugo, Master Teacher
SATURDAY'S 12:45-2:00pm
Beginner I & II Flamenco Technique/Choreography- "Tangos"
2:00-3:15 pm
Intermediate I & II Flamenco Technique w/castanets...
3:15-4:15 pm
Choreography "Alegrias" w/manton
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Class/Workshop Registration: Send check/money order to
CAROLINA LUGO, 1040 Pleasant Valley Drive,
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Email:carolinalugo1@msn.com Or Call: 925-939-7850
www.carolinalugo.com
Give the Gift of Dance-Exercise & Cultural Art! ~ Gift Certificates Available!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CLASS CURRICULUM
Beginner Flamenco Technique
Introduction to 8 count rhythms, floreos {handwork}, braseos {arms}, taconeo {footwork}, upper body movements, use of the falda
Intermediate I & II Flamenco Technique
Proper castanet technique with application to dance steps and movements, footwork drills, turns, technique of abanico {Spanish fan}, palmas
Intermediate II & III Flamenco Technique
Footwork drills for development of strong, clear footwork, dynamics and musicality, upper body movements, manipulation of falda with dance steps, variations of palma rhythms, introduction to the cajon
Advanced Flamenco Technique
Footwork drills for dynamics and musicality, upper body movements, manipulation of falda with dance steps, variations of palma rhythms, introduction to the cajon, improvisation for "Juergas", "Tablao", "Formal Theatre"
Spanish Dance Technique w/castanets.... Levels I thru III
Proper castanet technique with application to dance steps, movements, upper body carriage, turns, footwork for Spanish Dance. Choreography to the music of 20th Century Spanish/French composers such as; de Falla, Bizet, Chabrier, Granados, Gimenez, Albeniz
CHOREOGRAPHY for all class levels


