Flamenco Flamenco is a genuine Spanish art, and to be more exact a genuine Southern Spanish art. It exists in three forms: Cante, the song, Baile, the dance, and Guitarra, guitar playing. Gypsies are very often named as its fathers, and at least it can be taken for certain that they played an important part in its creation. But also the popular songs and dances of Andalucia have influenced early Flamenco considerably. Certainly there were other influences, too, no surprise in a country that has been dominated by such diverse cultures and civilizations during its different historical epochs. There were the legendary Tartessos, and seven centuries of Muslim occupation hardly could have passed without leaving traces. All that, directly or indirectly, influenced Flamenco. The first time Flamenco is reported on in literature is in the "Cartas Marruecas" of Cadalso, in 1774. Its cradle most probably was where, between 1765 and 1860, the first Flamenco-schools were created: Cádiz, Jerez de la Frontera and Triana (Seville). In this epoch Flamenco dance started to have its firm position in the ballrooms. Early Flamenco seems to have been purely vocal, accompanied only by rhythmical clapping of hands, toque de palmas. It was left to dedicated composers, such as Julián Arcas, to introduce guitar playing. During its Golden Age (1869-1910) Flamenco was developed in the epoch's numerous music cafés (cafés cantantes) into its definitive form. The more serious forms expressing deep feelings (cante jondo) also date from then. When Flamenco dance arrived at its climax, it was the major attraction for the public who frequented those cafés cantantes. Guitar players, featuring the dancers, increasingly gained a reputation. The time from 1910 to 1955 Flamenco singing is marked by the ópera flamenca, with an easier kind of music such as fandangos and cantes de ida y vuelta. The latter clearly showed South American influences. From 1915 on Flamenco shows were organized and performed all over the world. Anyhow, not everybody was enchanted with that development and intellectuals such as Falla organized a contest, 1922 in Granada, to promote authentical cante jondo. 1955 marked a sort of Flamenco Renaissance, the great performer Antonio Mairena being its key figure. Outstanding dancers and soloists soon made their way out of the small tablaos, successors to the early cafés cantantes, to the great theaters and concert houses. It was now that guitar players acquired a great competitiveness, and their playing became masterful. Actual Flamenco frequently shows influences of other kinds of music, as Jazz, Salsa, Bossa Nova, etc. Also Flamenco dance has changed; especially female dancers try rather to showcase their temperament than artistry. The Flamenco guitar that formerly just featured the dancers evolved into the soloist art form, great virtuosos Ramon Montoya, El nino Ricardo, Sabicas and Paco de Lucia being the pioneers of that development. Mass medias have brought Flamenco to the world stage, but deeply it has always been and will remain an intimate kind of music. You have not listened authentical Flamenco if not in a juerga with a small group of friends, at midnight somewhere in the South of Spain, when there is nothing around but the voice, the guitar and the body of a dancer moving in the moonlight. Source: http://www.red2000.com/spain/flamenco/ In this program we will introduce the main rhythms such as Soleares (Also known as La Madre de La Flamenca), Bulerias, Alegrias and Seguirias plus others as much as we can cover from the list. All traditional with the influences of the artists own improvisations besides some very well known classical pieces. Artists may give explanations about the rhythms, songs and dances wherever appropriate. Enjoy the evening.