If you’re planning a trip to Spain and want to explore an interesting and fun part of the culture in that country, then you’ll want to spend some time learning about the flamenco, a traditional Spanish folk music and dance that dates back to at least the 1700s. There’s some confusion about where exactly the flamenco originated from. Some claim that it began in the town of Jerez, while others believe that it came from the town of Seville. Either way, what is known is that it originated somewhere in the Western Andalucia region of the country, and today the dance is closely associated with Seville. Historically, the flamenco was the province of poor and oppressed villagers, and it is meant to be a dance that tells a story. The key elements of a flamenco dance are a guitarist, a singer, and a dancer. Flamenco shows are not difficult to find anywhere in Spain, but if you want to see a traditional flamenco dance that isn’t tourist oriented, you may need to look a little harder.
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Museo de Baile Flamenco. This flamenco museum in Seville is a great place to start if you’re interested in seeing a show and learning more about the traditional flamenco dance. In the museum, you’ll learn more than you would have thought possible about the history of the dance and about the events and cultures that have influenced it along the way and given it its present form. A popular exhibition details the evolution of flamenco costumes. They also offer shows at a reasonable price. Check the schedule ahead of time to make sure that there’s a show scheduled for the time that you plan to go.
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Corral de la Moreria. Located in Madrid, this is one of Spain’s most famous flamenco venues, and was included in the book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. If you’re interested in flamenco, this location is a must-see destination. They put on two shows a night and offer a dinner and a show experience. The menu consists of delicacies like sauteed lobster and veal sirloin with foie gras, and there’s also a full bar service and an excellent wine list. But the real highlight of the night is the talented flamenco dancers that are led by an award-winning artistic director.
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La Taberna Flamenca. Visit this venue in Jerez, which, you’ll remember, is another town that has some claim to the origins of flamenco, for some authentic flamenco dancing that you won’t soon forget. If you’re looking for a daytime show, you’ll find lunch performances at La Taberna Flamenca, which is a nice change if you don’t want to be out late at night.
You can also look for flamenco venues on your own while you’re in Spain, as there are many small and less well known places to see a show or even take a class. Bear in mind that when there are several performances of the show in one night, the latest one is liable to have the fewest tourists and the most locals in attendance, and the dance will be geared more toward authenticity than attracting tourists. So, if you’re looking for a more authentic flamenco show, choose the latest performance.
