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August 09, 2005
Taller Flamenco Seville, Day Eleven
On this second Tuesday the difference in the way that we're learning some of the taconeo is beginning to tell. We start quite slowly, concentrating on the rhythm from start to end of the compas, and as we speed up and gain confidence the rhythm comes together and, even though it's the same footwork the rhythm shifts, and feels more like the bigger feeling of the music.
In technique there is more emphasis on body direction and arms, as much of the difficult taconeo has been covered. But there are still surprises in technique and choreography and we are still putting the pieces we have been doing together and fitting them to the music at the end of each class
I’m still having problems with the transitions. Learning fatigue is similar in dance to when you're learning a language, and because I have not been a dancer for years and years (like most of the others) it really hits me. But, like learning a language you can work through it and eventually overcome it.
Everyone in Willys Bar was rather taken with the idea that they could see themselves in photos as soon as the picture had been taken so; one day last week, I spent the hours between Compas and Technique lessons taking photos of people in the bar and showing them to the subjects on my laptop. They have been friendly and generous so it was the least I could do. It was also fun, taught me some more rather interesting colloquial Spanish and I’ve got a couple of shots I’m really pleased with.
Today some of the regulars got into a deep debate about whether or not flamenco was a good thing or not, how they learned it and whether they dance it still:
“My father taught me to dance with my two brothers. My mother stayed at home and when she did come out she’d sit in the doorway, hiding and doing light palmas like a cissy. But I loved dancing with my father. His paso doble was excellent and I told my mother too! But she never joined in”
“I went to dance school for two years and learned flamenco but I don’t like dancing. Why should I have to dance Sevillanas just because I’m from Seville! People in Chicago don’t say you have to like jazz just because they do good jazz there and people in England don’t have to do that funny dance with the bells and sticks. I can’t dance because I choose not to. I won’t dance”
I’m sure I’ll be able to use the conversation in some kind of future feature.
It is still desperately hot; apparently 45 or 46, and it was as high as 49 in Cordoboa down the road! Eukene; the Manageress from Taller Flamenco, pointed out that problem isn’t the temperature in the day, but when it doesn’t cool down in the night. When this happens, she says “your body is already empty for the next day”. And it’s still cloudy…
Photo log starts here: Seville August 2005 and ends here
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