t Dancing by the Río Guadalquivir during the opening ceremony of the Bienal da Flamenco, Seville
No art form is more closely associated with Andalucía than flamenco. The yearning songs, expressive guitar playing and exuberant hand claps beat the rhythm of the soul of southern Spain. Listen to the music, catch a performance or try your hand at dancing flamenco for yourself.
t Dancing by the Río Guadalquivir during the opening ceremony of the Bienal da Flamenco, Seville
Unquestionably, the best place to appreciate all things flamenco is the Bienal da Flamenco (www.labienal.com). In September and October on even years, the flamenco world gathers in Seville and atmospheric venues such as the Teatro Lope de Vega and the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza host swirling skirts, clapping hands and stamping feet. Other flamenco festivals include Concurso Nacional de Flamenco (nacionaldearteflamenco.webnode.es), held every third May in Córdoba, and the Jerez Annual Flamenco Festival.
There’s no better way to feel the duende (spirit) than to give it a go for yourself. In Seville, join a dance or cajón workshop at the Museo del Baile Flamenco. For a more intensive experience, Taller Flamenco offers day- or month-long courses in guitar, singing, percussion and dance (www.tallerflamenco.com).
The historic venues in which flamenco is performed are just as cherished as the art form itself. Most towns are home to at least one peña – a gritty flamenco club where you’re sure to feel the duende. In Jerez de la Frontera, for example, you’ll find Peña La Buleria (Calle Empedrada 20; 856 05 37 72). The most visible flamenco venues, however, are tablaos, which can be a great place to get a taste of the art form. Unlike peñas, tablaos often charge an entrance fee, but this may include drinks or dinner. Find a list of our favourite tablaos in Seville on. If you really want to get under the skin of the art form, follow one of the Flamenco Routes on Andalucía’s tourism website to discover the region’s best tablaos and peñas (www.andalucia.org).
Flamenco developed from various traditions from Europe, Asia and the Middle East, so it’s not surprising that it continues to blend with other forms of music to create new genres. Flamenco rock emerged in the 1960s and 1970s with bands like Triana, while legendary guitarist Paco de Lucía incorporated Cuban rumba into his flamenco style in the 1970s. Popular folk duo Rodrigo y Gabriela combine flamenco with classical and rock music to create a unique nuevo flamenco style.
Hidden Gem
Granada’s Sacromonte neighbourhood is the traditional home of the city’s Romani community, who settled here in the late 15th century. People would travel to the caves honeycombing the hillside here to enjoy spontaneous outbursts of flamenco. Visit Venta El Gallo to be transported back in time (www.ventaelgallo.com).
DISCOVER Seville and Andalucía Your Way
Camarón de la Isla (1950–92)
One of the greatest singers of all time.
Paco de Lucía (1947–2014)
This genre-bending guitarist injected flamenco with jazz.
Carmen Linares (b 1951)
One of the first flamenco singers to perform with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.
Nina Pastori (b 1978)
Pastori has won four Latin Grammys.