Like the atmosphere once created when beat poets gathered to recite verses, Tablao refers to the milieu in which flamencos showcased their dancing until the art was institutionalized in theatrical performances. Flamenco Tablao emerged as a unique art form in the 15th century. Spanish Gypsies (or Roma) danced flamenco privately in their rural homes. The dance gradually migrated from the countryside to south Spain’s cities, where Gypsy...

by Allison Millard Alegrias: A lively dance that originates in the jotas of Cadiz–traditional folk music of Aragon, brought to the Andalusian town by soldiers during the War of Independence in the early 19th century. This style is characterized by its rich guitar accompaniment, the intricate dancing, demanding rhythms, and lively sound. Bulerías: This developed, like soleares, from a simple style. However, unlike soleares, it has a fast...

It’s all about the compás, folks. Whether you are an aspiring dancer, flamenco guitarist, singer or just plain aficionado, you gotta have compás. When Farruquito dances, his breath slips into the compás the musicians are creating – or maybe they’re following him. Who’s to say? In any event – our payo ears were not conditioned to hear the intricacies of the compás from our childhoods, so we have to make up for...

Contributed by Alfonso Cid   After eleven years living away from Spain I can’t help thinking about Peñas flamencas with nostalgia. When I first started going to a peña flamenca, I was twenty years younger than I am now and falling in love with that pristine and innocent love that is the first one.  If you add to this picture the dazzling streets and parks of Sevilla where my friends and I used to hang out, then you have right there the...