This is a wonderful time to be immersed in flamenco. There are so many great opportunities to take classes in all forms of flamenco in the Bay Area. We can visit our local restaurants and other venues and take in shows every week.

Those of us who want to practice what we learn in class with the support of other flamencos now have a place to do so. Initiated by Ulla-Britt Jonsson, who organizes the monthly event, Flamenco Sunday (FS) started in her apartment in San Rafael on June 3rd last year.

Part of Ulla’s dream was to create a safe space for lovers of flamenco to be together in community and support each other in this beautiful music. It takes courage to get on the floor or to pick up the guitar and hit the strings, play the cajon, or sing flamenco. We did not grow up surrounded by this music and some of us came to it late in life which adds to the challenge.

FS occurs on the first Sunday afternoon of the month. To keep the focus on the music we ask that people come when it starts. As we say: a special energy is created when we begin together, and it begins when Evan or another of our guitarists start to strum, maybe a sevillanas; then the dancers get up on the floor or deck, maybe a singer chimes in with “La Puerta de Toledo” and we take off. I think we have heard and seen all the palos at FS, tangos, bulerias, a solea, fandangos, or siguiriyas.

Our participants come from all levels: beginners who do palmas and shout jaleos, to those who take the floor, to aficionados who have provided support both with hosting and participating.

Since last fall, guitarist Evan Harrar has been a steadfast participant. We have been fortunate to have him and several other guitarists at our gatherings.

Our hosts offer a "home" of warmth and hospitality to us; they provide the space to be in and a surface to dance on. So far the Sundays have been in San Francisco, Marin, and the East bay.

Each Flamenco Sunday is different depending on where it’s held, how many come, and the mix of people who come. We recommend people participate in a few to get a sense if it's for them.

To find out where the next Flamenco Sunday is being held or if you want to host, email Ulla at: ulla-britt@att.net

June 2008
Dear Flamencos,

June marks a year of Flamenco Sundays.  We started with a small group in 
my apartment in San Rafael on June 3rd of last year.  Since then our 
gatherings have grown and have provided a forum for creating community, 
making friends, and practicing our craft - be it singing or playing or 
dancing – and for sharing yummy food.

Without our hosts, these monthly events would not have had a “home.” 
So for opening up your home to offer warmth and hospitality to us I would 
like to thank:
	·  David Jenkins (July)
	·  David Brewer (August)
	·  Arlene Banks (October)
	·  Laura Schepps (November)
	·  Azriel and Patrizia (February)
	·  Kathy Mejia (March)
	·  Mimi and David (April)
	·  Harlan Hoffman (May)
	·  Evan Harrar (June)
	·  Jane Curtis (July)

Part of my dream for Flamenco Sunday was to create a safe space for us to 
move, play and sing.  It takes courage to get on the floor or to pick up 
the guitar and hit the strings, or to sing flamenco.  We did not grow up 
surrounded by this music and some of us came to it late in life which adds 
to the challenge. So to those of you who came and particpated, I say 
thank you and bravo!

Being advertised on sfflamenco.com brought us people who otherwise would 
not have known about us.  We had a visit from a dancer from Chicago and a 
father of a flamenca from Santa Barbara, who were visiting family in the 
area. The site also provided information about us to local flamenco lovers.

Flamenco reaches deep into my soul and gives me great joy whether I watch 
r listen to someone else or when my body moves to the music. So I thank you 
for sharing these moments with me.

-Ulla
			

Azriel "el Moreno" & Eva Ma present:
"Un Viernes Flamenco: unos cantes y unos bailes"

Azriel "el Moreno" and Eva Ma are presenting an evening of flamenco divided between a solo cante recital by Azriel and a standard cuadro presentation with Eva Ma dancing. They'll be supported by the fine guitar of Jeff Hawkins and palmas by Yuli.

Half a solo cante recital by Azriel "el Moreno," and half a cuadro performance with Eva Ma dancing our show will in part be a fund-raiser for production of the film "Price of a Piece of Chocolate" about cantaor Antonio de la Malena.

Azriel "el Moreno," well known and highly respected in the Bay Area, has sung for many of northern California's best dancers. This special occasion will be his first formal solo recital. Eva Ma has spent much of the past four years in Jerez (Spain) learning bulerias and compás with Ana Maria Lopez then choreography from Maria del Mar Moreno, Angelita Gomez, Juan Antonio Tejero and others.

A Traves De Sus Ojos / Directed by Fanny Ara

Acclaimed flamenco dancer Fanny Ara directs a work which explores some crucial and cruel moments of a woman's life through the powerful and subtle art of flamenco music and dance...

Kaweh "Live in San Francisco" / CD-DVD Release Tour

Virginia Iglesias / "Brillo de Luna"

...in June 2008 a SOLD OUT performance of Brillo de Luna was presented in San Francisco to critical acclaim! Now, one performance only in Alameda's Rhythmix Cultural Works Theater! Reserve your tickets today online! A performance you will not want to miss!

Director Virginia Iglesias, Madrid trained dancer and critically acclaimed choreographer, along with musical director, flamenco guitarist and composer Jorge Liceaga bring to the stage an exciting new program of original choreographies and music. World class musicians including accordion, trumpet, guitar, cante and the students of The Flamenco Academy of Dance share their passion for flamenco in an exciting and colorful afternoon of music and dance.

3-Hour Intensive Flamenco Movement Boot-Camp

New INT/ADV Flamenco Class with Fanny Ara in San Francisco

TK Fundraising Productions will present a new class: "Advanced / Intermediate Flamenco Class with Fanny Ara". This class will start on Sunday, September 7, 2008 and will be held at 1PM at, depending on the week, SF Dance Center or City Dance studios in SF. The choreography will be "Guajiras" by Fanny Ara and will be danced with the "Abanico" (a flamenco fan). The class will feature the choreography to be used for the group flamenco piece in SPRING DANCE INSPIRATION 2009 A cure for brain tumors, which will be held on March 21 and 22, 2009 at the Cowell Theater at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco.

Yaelisa and Caminos Flamencos

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 and passionate 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 and the founder and artistic director of the New World Flamenco Festival.

NEW BEGINNERS CLASSES: Yaelisa will be organizing small groups of 5-6 NEW students for afternoon classes at her new Oakland studio. These classes will help students progress to enter regularly scheduled workshops. If you are interested, contact her via email or by phone.

** Both of these workshops focus on the completion of choreographies to be performed by the students. The Solea class will be in 2 parts, the first session focusing on the choreography, the second workshop (Nov. 8 - Dec. 13) focusing on the addition of Manton (Shawl) for Solea.