 |
|
September 04, 2005
Dutch Surprise
We arrived as Nuria Mangalano was performing the final numbers with her group “Flamenco Vivo”. Currently living in Amsterdam, her stage name “La Granaina” proclaims her birth place to be Granada. Most serious flamenco dancers dance either traditional flamenco or 'new' flamenco. Since Nuria's portfolio shows that she has danced both flamenco puro and flamenco jazz, she's a little different.
The whole thing was a surprise. I'm only here for a few days and had just been told to keep the late afternoon free. I lived in The Hague for years and never expected to see live flamenco performed in the late summer sun in a Dutch plein (square), so am now very interested to hear more about the show that Nuria says she's developing and to see what her lessons are like.
“Serenata Mexicana” followed. Not only did they play the audience wonderfully (there were times when it seemed like everyone in the square was joining in, in Spanish) but they got the kids up and dancing too! One gentleman in the audience; Roberto Girigorie, had a particularly rich voice. It turns out that he is an accomplished musician and performer himself. Roberto seems to organise annual reunions for all those who attended his conservatory way back when... One is scheduled for next week and is expected to be a huge Latin jam session, with anyone who wants welcome to come and dance to the music that results. Roberto invited us to yet another annual Latin dance festival in Rijsvijk tonight but unfortunately we already had plans.
Serenata Mexicana is a Mariachi band that has been running for fifteen years. Its lead singer who is larger than life in character, size and voice is from Croatia. Their Manager; Koen also plays in the band and talked to me of how much pleasure they get when the audience shows its appreciation and joins in. With a day job teaching music and providing music therapy as well as rehearsing and managing a band that's so obviously successful, it must be difficult for him to find spare time for life’s more mundane tasks.
Next in the line-up was a Brazilian group; Pinga. They didn’t have much of a stage presence but held a steady beat and since; by this time people were dancing wherever they could, it didn't really matter.
So if you’re thinking of visiting The Hague next year, the first week in September looks great. You can do all the normal tourist things and go to some fantastic parties at the same time!
Photo blog starts here and ends here
Fiesta de la Plaza is organised by Het Lint
 |
 | ||||||||
|
| ||||||||
|
| ||||||||
|
| ||||||||
|
| ||||||||