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Pastora Galván

Deepen Your Understanding of Bulerías

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Deepen Your Understanding of Bulerías

You asked me to analyze more videos around here to better understand how flamenco dance works, so today I will deconstruct another bulerías of Pastora Galván. So here is a video (that you’re going to LOVE) followed by a breakdown of each component of the dance and when it happens:

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Bulerías Made Simple [The Structure of a Bulerías Dance & How It Relates to the Cante]

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Bulerías Made Simple [The Structure of a Bulerías Dance & How It Relates to the Cante]

Bulerías is arguably one of the hardest flamenco forms to dance due to it's improvisational nature, complex rhythm, and nuanced cante. But dancing bulerías is less mysterious than you may think. Once you understand the components of the dance and how they relate to the music (the singing and the compás) you'll be well on your way to obtaining bulerías freedom.

Below l explain the basic bulerías por fiesta structure and how it relates to the cante. After that you'll find a video of Pastora Galván along with an analysis describing where she dances each component of the structure. Finally I give you an activity to help you internalize the information.

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Where To See Flamenco Dance in Madrid

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Where To See Flamenco Dance in Madrid

It’s pretty easy to find places to see flamenco in Madrid. The challenge is knowing where to find quality flamenco. (Yes, you can see plenty of mediocre flamenco even in Spain, and if you’re in Spain, you definitely want to see the good stuff!) So today I'll tell you about four places you can go to see quality flamenco in Madrid, show you some videos of fantastic dancers in action, and address the idea of the 'touristy' flamenco show.

The Flamenco Tablao

One of the best ways to experience flamenco in Madrid is to visit a tablao, a place where flamenco is performed. Here are four tablaos where you can (usually) count on seeing good flamenco in Madrid:

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Why we need to watch

Today one of my favorite videos of Rocío Molina dancing tangos and some thoughts on the importance of watching flamenco dance.

Watching is a must. We talk a lot about listening, which is importantísimo.  Absolutely essential.

But so is watching.

We are lucky.  We have YouTube.  We have Vimeo.  We have Did Somebody Say Flamenco?

We have access to all kinds of good flamenco.

In our kitchens.  In our bedrooms.  In our offices.  (Don't worry I won't tell.)

So watch.

It's pleasure.

It's study.

It's inspiration.

It's necessary.

I know you do this.  And in a minute I want to hear about a favorite video of yours.

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Mercedes Ruíz ~ The Second Series: Part 1

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Mercedes Ruíz ~ The Second Series: Part 1

Last night Mercedes danced in a way that was basically unbelievable.  To be expected, as it’s her usual way.  We already know that she eats, sleeps, and drinks flamenco.

But last night was even more unbelievable than normal.

So today we begin with a new round of interviews with Mercedes Ruíz. In today's interview, Mercedes talks about the longest amount of time she's gone without dancing, how she interprets a letra, and shares who some of her favorite flamenco of today dancers are. 

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Viernes con una Letra | Jaleos

Here I am at the 25th anniversary of the Festival Flamenco Internacional de Albuquerque. Seeing fabulous artists perform every night.

Taking classes from some of them, Pastora Galván and Olga Pericet.

And doing it with friends.  The very best way to do it.

I've been wanting to tell you about it all week.  I'll definitely tell you more later...

We've been working on jaleos in Pastora's class.

Here is one of the letras we're dancing to and a video of Pastora Galván dancing.

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