Carole Edrich Weblog

Flamenco Fatigue

Kola Adefope has been promoting dance and music in London for many years. He specialises in bringing talented performers from all over the world who; while well known and respected in their own areas, are not yet established elsewhere. Many of his clients haven’t performed outside their own countries before and if they have, they’ve not been in a big venue like the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London.

In Spain; as in most other countries, artists become famous as much by chance and who they know as because they’re talented. Those recognised by the public at large inevitably get the best gigs, TV invitations and contracts and (if they're any good) their initial success breeds more and more of the same. It’s a vicious circle, since their ascent makes getting recognition much more difficult for others.

Whether they've the potential to be commercial in the big-business-Joaquin-Cortez sense, are exponents of traditional ways or have really pushed the boundary of their art, a well publicised trip to London can make all the difference. It's the next vital rung on the ladder of success. They’re wonderful performers with so much to give and; without travelling regularly to Spain, talking to the right people and hanging out at the right places it would be impossible to see them at all. So everyone gains, there are more exciting performances, artists are able to increase their exposure and the audience gets a much greater insight into what’s really going on in the world of flamenco.

The other day I was talking to Kola about Rafaela Carrasco and Ana Salazar. I believe that Rafaela Carrasco is one of the best, most innovative and talented proponents of flamenco in the world and was amazed to find out that her concert was not a complete sell-out (you’ll hear more about her from me; her work pushes boundaries while remaining indisputably flamenco). Kola says the same may happen for Ana Salazar!

It’s unbelievable. Here’s another incredible, talented, multi-faceted woman who has overcome difficulties that would have defeated most people. Eight years ago an accident prevented her from dancing. Instead of giving up she developed a spectacular career as a flamenco singer. She is now well respected as both singer and dancer and will be performing in London later this month.

Kola believes the lack of attendance is a direct result of the wonderful flamenco season held by Sadlers Wells in January and is wondering whether it's worth bringing new flamenco names to London again.

Over the years, we’ve been privileged to see some of the best flamenco dancers of our time before they became famous, expensive and occasionally rather jaded. Names you might recognise include Eva Yerbabuena, Israel Galván, Juana Amaya, Mercedes Ruiz, Antonio El Pipa and Carmen Cortés. And believe me, La Yerbabuena was much more exciting in her first London performance than in the self-indulgent one she gave at Sadlers Wells in January.

It would be a terrible shame if Kola didn't bring more flamenco artists over next year. The fantastic variety of dance that we sometimes take for granted in London - as well as the search for Duende - would suffer.

Ana Salazar will be performing at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on Monday 18th April. Go to www.rfh.org.uk for discounted tickets.

Rafaela Carrasco performed at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on the 1st April and with Belén Maya at the Sadlers Wells Flamenco Festival in January