THE SEDUCTION OF FLAMENCO

If you are a student of Flamenco, you will remember that sometime soon after your first class, you discovered that Flamenco was no longer optional.  Flamenco is seductive that way.  And if you are a student now, you will be a student forever - no one person can know everything.  That is part of the seduction as well, trying to quench the thirst of knowing more.  There will always be more.

There is also the thirst for the energy, encouragement and affirmation we feel from the Flamencos around us.  A beginner can feel empowerment from the energy of others in the very first class.  Empowerment is very seductive.

We dance to feel better.  We dance to purge the demons of ill will and hate in the world.  We dance to cure the ache in our heart.  We dance when we are happy.  We dance because we cannot do otherwise.   ¡Vamos ya!*

Because Flamenco is different from any other art form, the existence of an audience is less important than in other forms.  We perform for ourselves.  If someone else is watching, fine.  Audience applause is the non-flamenco way of doing jaléo.** 

¡Vamos ya!**

and now for a bit of blatant self-promotion..........................
We do like applause - a pat on the back - a thumbs up.  I like TangoPony's latest performance on the Etsy stage.   Three generous, lovely people have featured items from the shop in Etsy Treasuries, "curated galleries handpicked by the Etsy community."  Particularly since TangoPony is a relative newcomer to Etsy, it is an honor to have my things chosen by others.

thebluecottage selected a flamenco pendant and a vintage Andalucían scarf in her f-l-a-m-e-n-c-o Treasury

saphira selected a little tin in her small-indulgences Treasury

skywatcher1121 put the vintage soft kid Venetian cutwork opera gloves in her love-giacomo Treasury

  

I'm ready for Puccini. 
¡Vamos ya!

* Vamos ya, bah mo ya, properly translated means 'we are going now.'  In Flamenco land, we mean 'let's go already!'
** Jaléo, ha lay oh, properly translated means 'commotion.'  In Flamenco, it is the spoken word of encouragement, support and emotion directed to the performer. 

XXX,
TangoPony