Cante/Singing

A guide to finding information about Flamenco singing (cante) on this site.
Click on the subject headings to the left:
- "Letras" for lyrics;
- "Music Theory" and "Dance/Music Structure" for discussion of the interplay between singing, guitar, and dance;
- "Flamenco?" for music history and recordings.

Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca - Feb. 8/'09

A flamenco show hitting Edmonton next year:

Sunday, February 8th - 8 pm
Enmax Hall, Winspear Centre



About the Show: Hailed by critics everywhere for its transcendent and deeply emotional performances, Madrid’s Noche Flamenca brings to the stage the essence, purity, and integrity of one of the world’s most complex and mysterious art forms.

Ticket Prices: Orchestra / Terrace / Dress Circle: $46 Upper Circle / Gallery: $41

Flamenco Photography Project website

The Flamenco Photo Project website contains a selection of Flamenco photos from 1960-1985.

The Project is "dedicated to assembling, preserving and publishing these unique documents (The Collection) of that memorable time...soliciting offers for exhibition and publication, and seeking a permanent institutional home for The Collection. It is also looking for foundation grants to support the continuing work."

Performance Spaces

This post is intended to pool research about inexpensive venues good for grassroots Flamenco performances. Know of any others or have feedback about how it was to perform at any of the venues? Share your thoughts below.

ARTery: Converted storefront space with several small stages, including one stage which fits musicians and dancer(s). Tech. extra. Cool spot. Some sightlines cut off. Bar available. Past Flamenco performance: 3 musicians, one dancer. theartery@noiselab.ca

B-Scene Studios: Small wooden stage, seating capacity approx. 90 people. Intimate, but some sightlines cut off. Rental includes tech. Past Flamenco performance: several musicians, several solo dancers.

Landing Pad @ Mile Zero Dance: Open, rectangular room. Intimate, salon-style performances. If using for dance, must bring a floor. Limited lights & sound available. Past Flamenco performances in venue: 1 dancer, 1 musician?

Carrot Community Arts Coffee House: artist's cooperative coffee house. Past Flamenco performances in venue: None.

Edmonton Community Leagues. Some have small stages and stage/lounge options. Past Flamenco performances in venue: None?

Hydeaway. All ages art space, downtown. Bar available. Never seen it, but sounds interesting.

Other venues used for Flamenco in the past: Westbury Theatre @ TransAlta Arts Barns (black box, set-up fees extra), Stanley A. Milner Library Theatre (has a hard floor), Myer Horowitz & Timms @ U of A, Royal Alberta Museum Theatre, Winspear.

Other possible venues: L'UniTheatre @ La Cite Francophone, Rice Theatre @ the Citadel, John L. Haar @ Grant MacEwan College, Muttart Hall @ Alberta College (good acoustics, but limited lighting & tech), PCL Theatre @ TransAlta Arts Barns (black box, set-up fees extra).

Guest book

Please sign our guestbook by posting a comment below! We welcome comments from Edmontonians and readers around the world.

Winter Flamenco Workshop - Deborah Ibach, December 12-14, '08

Winter Flamenco Workshop with Deborah Ibach

December 12, 13 & 14, 2008
Time: Friday & Saturday 7-8:30pm and 8:30-10:00pm; Sunday 10-11:30am and 11:30-1:00pm
Location: Vinok Worldance Studio (11727 Kingsway NW, Edmonton, AB T5G 3A1)
Price $18.00 per 1.5 hour session


Intermediate Level: Technique, Compas (timing), Turns
Times: Dec 12,13th 7-8.30 pm; Dec 14th 10-11:30 am

Advanced Level: Technique to Marcaje - a bit of everything
Times: Dec 12,13th 8:30-10.00 pm; Dec 14th 11:30am-1.00pm
(While this class will operate at an advanced level it is open to all
interested.)

Private Classes with Deborah can be arranged directly with her.

If you have any concerns or if there's a great demand for earlier classes, we might be able to make a few adjustments so don't hesitate to ask! This includes Sunday depending on demand we can also do it as an evening class.

While no registration fee is involved, I would appreciate knowing the numbers attending so send me an e-mail or leave a phone message.
E-mail: kimemacedo@gmail.com Phone: 780 504 3723
Ole y Hola!!!!

Calgary Flamenco performance opportunity - March 21 '09

"We are organizing a Community Performance to be held at the Fort Calgary Theatre in Calgary on Saturday, March 21st at 7:30 pm. The performance is open to all members of the Albertan flamenco community - students, professionals, guitarists, dancers etc... It is an opportunity to collaborate and share flamenco in a informal theatre atmosphere.

If you would like to perform, please send us an e-mail (info@fionamalena.com), letting us know what you would like to do.

Tickets to the event are available at the door (Fort Calgary Theatre) $15/adults, $12/children & seniors. Please reserve your tickets in advance by emailing info@fionamalena.com or phoning 403-202-0904 as seating is limited"

Editor's note: This post replaces the previous post for the December performance, which has been postponed until March 2009.

Flamenco Dress for Sale

Flamenco dress from Sevilla, Spain. Tags still on, never worn. Black with white polka dots and red base with embroidery. European size: 42 (American size 8). Lightweight material: 65% polyester, 35% cotton. REDUCED from $125.00 to $100.00, final sale.Shipping is extra, if required. Contact lyndac001@yahoo.ca if interested (those are zeros in the first part of my e-mail address!).

Flamenco y Olé - Local Artists Perform

Flamenco y Olé is an intimate and exciting evening of Flamenco dance, song, guitar and palmas. Performing are Edmonton artists Marni Benavides, Tosh Hayashi, Esperanza Linares, Kim Macedo, Jane Ogilvie, Silvia Soto and Guest Calgary artist David Matyas.

Saturday November 29th and Sunday November 30th, 2008
at 'B' Scene Studios, 8212-104 St. Edmonton
Show at 7 p.m., doors open at 6:30 - general seating
(map)

Tickets: $20
available from any of the artists
or by contacting Silvia Soto at
phone: 780 - 469 - 5643
email: dancingtheweb@hotmail.com

Information on the show and the artists involved www.flamencoyole.blogspot.com

Resources for Making Flamenco Dresses

As anyone who has tried to make a Flamenco dress on their own knows, it can be virtually impossible to find either patterns or detailed information on Flamenco costume construction.

Anke Herrmann, who relocated to Granada to become a dressmaker for Flamenco artists, provides a unique and reasonably-priced custom sewing pattern service. Just choose a pattern, download a form to submit measurements, send payment by PayPal, and a custom pattern will be sent to you by email as a PDF.

Her blog, Flamencreaciones, also includes useful articles written by Anke on the construction of Flamenco costumes. Articles are continually added, so check back for more.
- What Makes a Flamenco Dress? Parts 1 and 2
- How to Make Volantes (Ruffles and Frills)
- A Look Under the Skirt of a Bata de Cola

Looking for inspiration in general for new trends in Flamenco fashion? Visit Salón Internacional de la Moda Flamenca (SIMOF), which has photographs of fashion collections presented every year at a large-scale Flamenco fashion event.

Flamenco @ the ARTery: "Fall Back" Salon, Nov. 1/'08

FALL BACK: Salon Spectacle #13

At Mile Zero Dance's mixed performing arts salon, "short pieces from different artistic media are presented together with a unifying theme. “Fall Back” gives us a chance to completely lose ourselves in time to prepare for the shift to Daylight Savings Time. From falling in love, to reminiscing on the past, to blasting through time, these artists will guide us on a memorable journey into the dark of yet another long winter."

This night of extraordinary dance at an uncommon venue includes a Flamenco dance solo by talented dancer Esperanza Linares, with Tosh Hayashi (guitar), Marni Benavides (singing), and Elysia (palmas).

$10 MZD members/$12 general
ARTery, 9535 Jasper Ave, Edmonton.
November 1, 8 pm
Info/Reserve 780-424-1573; Email: info@milezerodance.com

Canada Council Grant Info Session for Dance Professionals - Oct. 23/08

The Canada Council for the Arts invites professional artists from all communities and intercultural practices in dance to participate in an information session and workshop about grant programs for dance professionals.

Location : Boardroom at the Alberta Foundation for the Arts
10708 105 Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB T5H 0A1
Date : Thursday October 23, 2008 from 10 am - 4 pm
Details : This workshop is limited to 25 participants.
Registration : 1-800-263-5588 ext 5257 or jerry.longboat@canadacouncil.ca

More information here.

Call for Submissions: 27th Annual Alberta Dance Explosions

27th Annual Alberta Dance Explosions Festival 2009, Calgary.
February 12-14, 19- 21, 26-28. Accepting submissions from all dance disciplines.
Application Deadline: November 7, 2008.

If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact Dancers’ Studio West at 403.244.0950 or hilary-dsw@shaw.ca. More info here.

Seeking Professional Flamenco Dancer/Performers Nov. 1 @ the Artery

I am looking for an excellent professional flamenco dancer based in or around Edmonton, for a salon show November 1st at the artery, 8 pm. An honorarium is provided, and the performance needs to be less than 10 minutes. Live music is a bonus.

Contact: Gerry Morita at 780-424-1573 or info@milezerodance.com.

Call for Buy and Sell Postings

Have a Flamenco-related item to buy, sell, or trade? Flamenco Edmonton is seeking postings from readers in the Edmonton, Alberta area.

If you are not yet registered on the site, read the general Posting topics for posting eligibility and guidelines. Next, contact flamencoedmonton-at-telus.net for instructions about registering on the site to contribute your post.

Canal Flamenco Radio

Canal Flamenco Radio is a new internet radio station from RTVA (Radio y Televisión de Andalucía). To listen, click on "Escucha Canal Flamenco Radio.com" at top left. For a list of tracks, click on "Programación" from the main page.

Flamenco on Breakfast TV

Congratulations to local flamenco singers/dancers Marni, Silvia, Jane, Kim, Elysia, and speaker Kyla for appearing on BTV to help promote the exciting upcoming show El Sonido Del Silencio. The show stars dancer Cristina Hall with special guest artists from Spain, Calgary, and Vancouver.

feats - Festival of Dance 2009, Call for Submissions

feats – Festival of Dance, Edmonton, Alberta, June 27 – July 12, 2009

"feats celebrates dance from Alberta and Canada. The festival aims to promote dance in a summer celebration with the dance community and general public. We are looking for new dance projects to be considered for the 2009 festival that bring diverse backgrounds and inspired originality. feats welcomes dance and movement based performance from wide variety of interests (traditional/folk, contemporary, mixed-media, inter-arts, burlesque/vaudeville and circus arts)."

Visit the Alberta Dance Alliance site for full information regarding submissions. Contact: (780) 422-8107 or info@abdancealliance.ab.ca

Deadline: September 26, 2008.

Flamenco in Canada call for submissions

Halifax's Flamenco In Canada festival has put out a call for submissions of photos and stories that illustrate the impact of Flamenco culture on Canada. Accepted submissions will be part of an exhibition at Halifax's Pier 21, September 27 - October 6, 2008. This is a great opportunity for local flamencos to share their experiences demonstrating how the art form has influenced Canadian culture.

Send high resolution scans or digital photos along with stories (make sure you have permission!) to kreinhardt@pier21.ca no later than September 5th.

Flamenco Dance & Singing Workshops Sept.14 '08

Guest artists from Spain Cristina Hall and singer David de Alcala will be teaching workshops before their show "El Sonido de Silencio" on September 14th, 2008. Artist bios can be found here.

Baile (Dance) Workshops
Beginner/Intermediate Level
Time: 12:00-1:15 pm; Cost: $42 before Sept 1/$58 after Sept 1

High Intermediate/Advanced Level
Time: 12:45-2:30 pm; Cost: $58 before Sept 1/$70 after Sept 1

Cante (Singing) Workshop
Time: 2:30-3:30 pm; Cost: $35 before Aug 25/$48 after Aug 25

Location: Marr-Mac Dance and Theatre Arts Centre (8627 - 109 Street, Edmonton). Map here.

Send payment to: Annette Morcos, PO Box 74016, Strathcona RPO, Calgary, AB, T3H 3B6
Email info@flamencocalgary.com; Telephone. 403-217-1954

El Sonido del Silencio - Flamenco Performance from Spain

El Sonido del Silencio" is an encounter between flamenco's past and present; where the old and the new come together in one performance to express a timeless sense of music and movement.

Annette Morcos and Peña Bulería in collaboration with Flamenco.ca are proud to present El Sonido del Silencio in Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton; a production featuring artists from Sevilla including Manuel Alejandro Montero (Guitar), Cristina Hall (Dancer), David de Alcala (Singer). Workshops in dance and singing will be offered - contact the organizer to book a spot!

September 14, 2008 at the Westbury Theatre, Edmonton at 7:00 pm. $38 in advance and at the door. Tickets: TransAlta Arts Barns or 780-409-1910. More info at: 403-217-1954 or info@flamencocalgary.com

Flamenco Items for Sale

Calgary's Fiona Malena will be in Edmonton for the next several days and has the following flamenco items for sale:

Dress (SOLD)
- Deep purple designer dress with deep pink ruffles. Gorgeous style with tiered ruffles. Top never worn, skirt worn twice: $300.

Shawls
- Exquisite hand-embroidered silk manton, black with large flowers with beautiful colours (burgundy, purple, gold, green). Only used 2x. Luxurious fringe. Originally $700!!!: $325.
- Large black with red flowers silk manton. NEW. Great for dancing with: $175.
- Red shawls (small) perfect for dressing up an outfit (4 of them): $15 (each)

Skirt
Brown skirt, beautiful soft shimmery material. From Seville. Elastic waist, flattering cut. NEW

Top
Pink & Black polka-dotted stretch tie top $20.

Items may be viewed by appointment July 6,7, and 8 (2008) at the Days Inn (780-430-0011 Room 401), or by contacting 1-403-481-2924. Photographs or longer descriptions of items are available on request. After July 8, unsold items will be on sale from Calgary. For more information about which items are available, email fionamalenaflamenco-at-yahoo.ca.

Typical Keys for Flamenco Palos

For new singers or guitarists looking for information on typical keys for different palos (song forms), Thomas Whiteley's "Different Ways to Look at Flamenco Palos" lists keys, modes, and time signatures for a range of palos.

How to Post - Formatting, Contact Info & Labels, etc.

Edmonton, AB posters:

Formatting Standards
For visual continuity with the other posts, authors are asked to stay away from special formatting such as different font sizes, styles, or colours of fonts, with the exception of bolding and italics. The simplest way to ensure your post does not contain additional formatting is to type directly in the posting box or copy and paste unformatted text from a Word document or email.

Post Title
Add brief, descriptive title in the title field. For upcoming events, add the date in the title field.

Contact Information
Posts for events or workshops must contain contact information where readers can get more information or verify details.

Labels
For Labels (subject headings), click "Show All", to the right of the label box. Click on relevant labels to add. Please use existing subject headings, selecting only those which are related to the main subject of the post. This way, everyone searching for a posts on a particular topics can click on a term and be brought to a similar post. E.g., for a flamenco dress for sale, you might use: For Sale and Costumes.

Proposed Events Vs. Planned Events
If posting for an event which has not been confirmed (a possible workshop, possible performance), this should be stated explicitly in the post in order to minimize confusion. Posts for events which are cancelled or are not taking place must be updated with current information.

Blog History, Purpose & Authorship
For more information about the history and purpose of the blog, and information for blog authors, please see: http://edmontonflamenco.blogspot.ca/2007/04/post.html

Please note: the site administrator/editor reserves the right to edit posts. 

Flamenco @ Feats Festival of Dance 2008

Mainstage Series: "Hybrids"
July 4–5; Friday and Saturday; 7:00 p.m.
$20 advance; $25 door
Westbury Theatre @ TransAlta Arts Barns
Tickets at TIX on the Square - 420-1757

"Find new movement paths resulting from past histories. Travel with young dance professionals to find spectacular dance, inspired by their traditional roots in Spain, India, Korea and Japan."

Fiona Malena, guest artist from Calgary, performs with local accompanists Tosh Hayashi (toque), Marni Benavides (cante), & Elysia (palmas).

WORKSHOPS
Flamenco workshops with Fiona Malena
Monday July 7, 2:30-4 (master class for teachers); Tuesday July 8, 12:30-2 (suggested level intermediate/advanced, but open to any dancers)
@ Edmonton School of Ballet
Cost: $15. Cash on-site only

For more information about the Feats festival, visit Alberta Dance Alliance , or call (780)422-8107

Flamenco lyrics (letras): FlamencoTalk forum

Letras section of the FlamencoTalk flamenco forum from Louisville, KT. Organized by song form.

Local Shows - Invitation to Post

Organizing or involved in an upcoming local performance you'd like to see listed on this site?

Edmonton flamenco teachers & others are invited to post information about upcoming events in Edmonton throughout the year.

More on posting here.

Deflamenco.com

In addition to the sites flamenco-world and esflamenco, which have already been discussed, deflamenco is a Spanish site with an on-line flamenco magazine, lists of resources, photographs, interviews, and flamenco products.

JondoWeb Radio

JondoWeb radio is another source of free Flamenco radio programming.

Choose from programs selected by several different hosts. Easy to navigate, and a list of song/artist information is provided.

Other sections of the site include a weekly MP3 recording, interviews with sound clips, and more.

Historical Recordings - Flamenco y Universidad

Phenomenal database of historical recordings on the Flamenco y Universidad site from the Universidades de Andalucia.

Click on "Grabaciones" at the bottom left, then scroll down & click on "Acceso a la Base de Datos de Discografías". Searchable by song form, artist, etc.

Centro Andaluz De Flamenco

The Centro Andaluz de Flamenco (Andalusian Flamenco Centre) located in Jerez de La Frontera, is a service of the Consejería de Cultura of the government of Andalusia. The centre is dedicated to Flamenco research, promotion, teaching, collection, and conservation. On-site services include a library, graphic archives, video screening area, etc.

The centre's site features links, lists of organizations, a flamenco magazine, learning activities, and databases of Flamenco information.

Feliz Cumpleaños, Flamenco Edmonton!

Flamenco Edmonton turns one year old today!

Thanks to our readers, to the Flamenco communities in Edmonton, and to our Flamenco friends across the country and beyond.

Special appreciation to local authors Jane, Kyla, Kim, Tosh, John, and Lynn for your contributions to the site; and to Flavia, Suzenym, Vicky, Silvia, La Aceitunita, & Daniel for your comments.

Thanks to all for making the site a success. Here's to another great year!

~Elysia, FE admin.

Tappa-Tappa-Tapas!

Join us for a very informal get-together of fellow flamenco lovers to enjoy some music, palmas, and cante! Feel free to bring guitars or shoes if you want, but mostly, just bring yourself!

I'm going to have some nibblies, and if you're able it would be great to have a few different kinds of tapas to munch on. But no worries if you can't!

It will be taking place this Saturday, April 19th at 6:30. Please email ksentes@ualberta.ca for more details.

Discussion & Structure of Dancing with "Por Fiesta" Tangos & Bulerias song

Kasandra Lea, a Canadian teacher, has posted a thorough breakdown of key elements for dancing with Tangos and Bulerias por fiesta letras (sung verses) here.

Follow the links to learn more about dancing with Bulerias & Tangos verses.

Onda Jerez Radio

In addition to providing internet access to their television programs, Onda Jerez provides radio broadcasts as well.

The guide to radio programming on their site can be found here. You can access the real-time radio broadcast on any page of the website by clicking on the "Radio Emisión on-line" button on the left side. It doesn't appear to work with Mozilla but is not a problem with Explorer.

The series Los Caminos del Cante is an hour of flamenco music and discussion that is broadcast every weeknight from 9:00 - 10:00pm Edmonton time.

The program also has it's own website full of all sorts of goodies. From the página audivisual you can also listen to some of the past broadcasts and even download them for free.

UPDATE: The show is also on from 1:00 - 2:00pm. It appears it's not always on in the evening.

Flamenco Fusion Dance Workshop - April 17'08

In addition to performances, the Arden Theatre is also hosting a dance workshop with "Lizt Alfonso Danza Cuba".

The workshop will demonstrate the company's dance fusion style(ballet-flamenco-afro-cuban). Previous knowledge not a prerequisite. Students are asked to have flamenco shoes or character shoes.

When: Thursday, April 17th at 1:00 pm.
Location: Arden Theatre, St. Albert
Cost: $10.00
Registration & workshop tickets: Arden Theatre Box Office, 459-1542
Contact: Vicky Rogers, vrogers@st-albert.net or 780-459-1744

Isabel Bayón

So unfortunately this isn't in Edmonton, but it's still a great Canadian opportunity that Esmeralda Enriques asked me to pass on. This summer, between June 30th and July 5th the Academy of Spanish Dance will be holding a Summer Intesive with Isabel Bayón. The fees are very reasonable, so if you've got someone to visit in Toronto, it's a great time to do it! Click here for the advertisement.

Flamenco drinks - Mar 22 '08

Come meet your Flamenco friends & neighbours!

A group of us are planning to meet up for drinks &/ food from about 7-9 on Sat. March 22 at the New York Bagel Cafe.

You can RSVP to flamencoedmonton-at-telus.net, RSVP on Facebook (event is called "Flamenco drinks") or just drop by. Partners/friends are welcome. If you're coming with a few people you might want to reserve a table as it's such a small restaurant.

Potential show/workshop in Sept.

Annette Morcos in Calgary is looking to bring artists from Seville for a show in Sept. Since it is much easier to bring things like this to Canada if we share them between cities, there is the possibility of bringing the show to Edmonton and a potential for a workshop as well.

I am wondering if this conflicts with any other plans in the works for Sept. and if anyone is interested in assisting on the Edmonton side of things. Please email me at

flamenca at mail dot com

if you know of a flamenco related conflict or if you are interested in being involved.

thanks
Jane

Jam cancelled

For those of you looking forward to the March 15 flamenco jam, it has been cancelled due to unforseen issues with the date/venue. We hope to find a replacement date soon & will post any updates on the site.

Duende Flamenco - Internet Radio Program

Duende Flamenco is a show on "Radio Si" in Brussels dedicated to flamenco and Andalusian folklore. A new program is played each week, with commentary in Spanish. To download the week's program, visit the current program page and click on the "pincha aqui" link near the bottom.

Paco Pena Flamenco Dance Company - Feb. 17 '08

Internationally renowned guitarist Paco Pena returns to Edmonton his troupe of Flamenco singers and dancers for the Edmonton premiere of "A Compas! Primal Pulse", a performance which highlights the rhythms of Flamenco. Link to the Winspear and ticket info here. More info about the show and group discounts through Global Arts.

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Danza Cuba - April 16 &17 '08

Eighteen female dancers, musicians and singers of Lizt Alfonso Danza Cuba perform Cuban-fusion pieces, combining elements of ballet, Spanish classical dance, flamenco and Afro-Cuban movement. Venue: Arden Theatre, more info here. Thanks to Flavia for mentioning this performance.