Exploring the Passion of Flamenco as it comes alive in Barcelona

Story By Christene Meyers

Photos By Bruce Keller

Flamenco has us hooked. This showy, emotional art form is more than a dance or musical style. It is a cultural expression -- full of emotion.

Nowhere is it more alive than in southern Spain, and in a favorite city, Barcelona. For here, flamenco has found a vibrant home.

A flamenco dancer performs with passion and precision in a Barcelona venue. Singers, dancers and musicians blend in flamenco, rich in tradition and a cultural institution in southern Spain. We recommend at least one show.

Exploring flamenco's roots in Barcelona's most lively venues

Flamenco is a dance of fire and emotion, born in Andalusia and influenced by the region’s rich and diverse cultures.

One hears gypsy rhythms and both Jewish and Moorish influences along with Andalusian syncopation. The result is a lively and haunting sound -- a musical

A 17th Century palace is the setting for the an enchanting flamenco show at Palau Dalmases. The beautifully restored building sets the tone for a haunting and memorable performance by singers, dancers and musicians.

call to prayer combining guitar, dance, singing and clapping. The tone ranges from lament to celebration, in stories about lost love, struggles and survival. Through it all, one feels the resilience of a culture which has kept flamenco alive.

In our annual Barcelona visits, we search for respected flamenco venues. We found two special ones in five shows this trip which we recommend at story's end.

An award winning flamenco artist in Flamenco Laietana City Hall. The trademark clicking of the dancers' shoes is caused by nails in both the toe and heel essential for the zapateado or footwork which distinguishes the artform.

How to Experience Flamenco in Barcelona

This elegant gallery welcomes viewers to Flamenco Palau Dalmases, one of the city's highly rated flamenco options. Some venues are large, others small. All have unique atmospheric qualities.

In our annual trips here, we've discovered a variety of places to enjoy authentic flamenco. We look for places the locals like, asking our hotel waiters and concierge for their recommendations.

One can choose from small clubs to larger performance halls, and many options in between. We recommend booking in advance so you're not disappointed, although some places have room for walk-ins. Many flamenco shows offer dinner packages featuring traditional Spanish cuisine, and most include a beverage or two in the ticket.

It's possible to combine a meal with flamenco. Here, tapas are offered in a buffet before a show.

Understanding Flamenco’s Key Elements

To fully appreciate flamenco, we've learned its main components:

• Cante (singing): Flamenco singing is raw and emotional. It expresses themes of love, pain, and life’s hardships with varying rhythms and moods.

• Toque (guitar): Flamenco guitar uses unique techniques like rapid fingerpicking and percussive strumming. The guitarist usually opens the show, setting the mood for the performance. He is a master of his art, an accomplished soloist, too.

• Baile (dance): Flamenco dancers have a flair for the dramatic. They use intricate footwork, hand movements, facial expressions and body movements to convey emotion working with singers and guitarists as a team.

• Palmas (handclapping): Rhythmic handclapping accentuates the beat and adds energy. It is often syncopated, requiring precision and coordination with musicians and dancers. Performers sometimes invite the audience to join in the clapping.

  

  Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers make flamenco a highlight of their annual Barcelona trips. Here, they arrive early to enjoy the art form in a classical environment, a restored palace.

Flamenco Workshops, Classes, Festivals

If you're in town for a time and flamenco calls to your inner dancer, Barcelona offers workshops and and classes for all levels, from beginners to advanced dancers and musicians. Since guitar is one of my instruments and I sing, I'd love to take a guitar and singing class to enhance my understanding of flamenco's techniques and styles.

Tips for Enjoying the Artform

• We like to arrive early: Flamenco shows start on time because there is usually more than one show. Arriving early helps you get a good seat and enjoy the atmosphere.

• Respect the Art: Flamenco is an emotional and personal expression. We shut off our phones and put them away. Don't talk, as with any performance. Respect means quietly observing and letting it flow over you.

  

  The grace of the dance is enhanced by showy shawls and frilly skirts.

• Try Local Cuisine: Many tablaos offer tapas and traditional dishes. It's fun to sample local food, one more enhancement the cultural experience.

• Explore Different Venues: Each tablao has its own style and ambiance. Visiting multiple places gives a broader view of flamenco in Barcelona.

  
  

Flamenco’s Role in Barcelona’s Cultural Scene

Arriving early enhances the evening, here at Flamenco Laietana in Barcelona.

Flamenco contributes to Barcelona’s rich cultural fabric by connecting the city to Spain’s broader traditions. It also inspires contemporary artists who blend flamenco with jazz, pop, and other genres. This fusion keeps flamenco alive and evolving. Flamenco is a huge tourist draw, thus important to the economy. Try to see a couple shows in different venues.

More information or to book:

www.flamencopalaudalmases.com/

www.flamencobarcelonacity.com

UPCOMING FEATURES: We're moving around the globe with a Segway tour in Scottsdale, Arizona, a couple of fun food tours at home and abroad, a trip to the caves of southern Italy and a visit to New York's famed Guggenheim Museum with tips on getting the most out of a museum visit. Check our website often for spur of the moment features and suggestions on enhancing your travel: www.whereiscookie.com