(Clothing - feel free to wear big/long skirt and/or shoes with a small cuban type heel or flamenco shoes if you have them)

About the Workshop
 

It is aimed at having fun and keeping fit while learning this expressive dance form. We will work toward performances for the West Euston Time Bank events and other community dance shows. According to class preference we will start off with Sevillanas or Gypsy Tangos.

Sevillanas are a set of traditional Spanish dances originating in Seville and danced in all regions of contemporary southern Spain.
They are danced in couples and groups in shows, festivals and bars, and form a foundational basis of Flamenco dance moves.

Flamenco Dance has many styles of dance and rhythms, many of them quite complex, having their basis in eastern rhythms of Indian Katak and having influences of Jewish and Arabic music forms. It is this fusion of dance forms that generates it's enduring appeal. Flamenco beginners often start with Gypsy Tangos and Rumbas - These 4/4 rhythms, or "compas", are easier to get the feel of than the complex accents within 12 count and 5 count flamenco compas.

Note that Gypsy Tangos and Rumbas are quite different from Latin American "Salsa" or  contemporary Latin ballroom dances, (tango & rumba), which are derived from the original Gypsy rhythms being transported to the Spanish Americas during the "Conquistas" and returning to Europe in the 1920's. The Flamenco form of these dances require no partner and are more expressive and interpretive of rhythm using the percussion of feet or castanets, finger snapping and "Palmas" or clapping.

I will be using  tapes or CDs for music to start with but  I may be able to engage a guitarist as things progress.

Please contact Shahanara on 0207 383 4382 for enrolling!

For any other information about the workshop call Susana (Bio):

¡No-Me-Mire! Flamenca performing Sevillanas
at the WETB International Womens Day 2006

Watch videos of Sevillanas (& hear music)

   Sevilla Feria  Watch

  Malaga Feria  Watch

 Guirre 1 Watch

 Guirre 2  Watch

Sevillanas being danced casually in typical bar setting