How did you find flamenco?
This is one of my favorite things to ask flamenco lovers.
I love learning people’s flamenco stories, don’t you?
Viewing entries in
Stories & Interviews
Did you know Cristina Hall, who will be teaching in Portland this weekend, and YES, you can still join us, was named one of Dance Magazine's 25 to Watch?
I asked Cristina three questions about teaching, creation, and inspiration. Here’s what she had to say.
What do you enjoy most about teaching flamenco?
Keep Reading
![Part 13: (Bonus) Our Neighborhood [A Day in the Life of a Student on the Flamenco Tour to Jerez]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568079e7bfe873f15c115eee/1578124556461-57U075EZ844MD102837Z/Lola.jpg)
Now that you have an idea of what it's like to spend a day in Jerez, here’s a peek at our neighborhood.
We stay in el Barrio de San Miguel, also known as La Plazuela, one of the two main flamenco neighborhoods of Jerez, where the scent of flamenco is everywhere.
Keep Reading
![Part 12: The Free Day [A Day in the Life of a Student on the Flamenco Tour to Jerez]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568079e7bfe873f15c115eee/1577870389907-TETMS0VUW9GW9ZVLKR77/Sanlucar.jpg)
![Part 11: Other Activities [A Day in the Life of a Student on the Flamenco Tour to Jerez]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568079e7bfe873f15c115eee/1577870133093-I327HP5Z44HI5EDUIFH5/Walking+street.jpg)
![Part 10: The Sherry Tour [A Day in the Life of a Student on the Flamenco Tour to Jerez]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568079e7bfe873f15c115eee/1577869622155-NRXMPZVUJOFJ0GP7FS65/IMG_6251.jpg)
Sherry comes from Jerez and is a big part of the culture there, so of course we take a trip to a sherry bodega on the Flamenco Tour to Jerez.
Keep Reading
![Part 9: The Hammam [A Day in the Life of a Student on the Flamenco Tour to Jerez]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568079e7bfe873f15c115eee/1577869343309-IDD3SE466T1EN82X2AP4/Hammam+Tassles.jpg)
We visit the Hammam Andalusí on the Flamenco Tour. It is a bathhouse equipped with three pools of water of differing temperatures, a sitting area, a massage area, and a dressing room with showers and bathroom.
This visit is well deserved partway through our trip!
Keep Reading
![Part 8: The Shows [A Day in the Life of a Student on the Flamenco Tour to Jerez]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568079e7bfe873f15c115eee/1577868953361-7ZARD7GYLKRYJKWPKRFS/VAnessa+red+bata.jpg)
There are many opportunities to see live flamenco in Jerez.
At the tabancos, the peñas, in bars and restaurants, at the tablao, at the theater …
Keep Reading
![Part 7: Nighttime [A Day in the Life of a Student on the Flamenco Tour to Jerez]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568079e7bfe873f15c115eee/1577868155130-UDJA53V64IHSLIZXXS0G/dinner.jpg)
In Spain, one's definition of nighttime can change.
The siesta doesn’t even end until around 5:30-6:30 pm.
Meaning in España, the second half of the day begins in the evening.
Keep Reading
![Part 6: Shopping [A Day in the Life of a Student on the Flamenco Tour to Jerez]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568079e7bfe873f15c115eee/1577867747398-KAUIDNFK6ZSKQF7SRJ09/circle+shoes.jpg)
![Part 5: Palmas [A Day in the Life of a Student on the Flamenco Tour to Jerez]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568079e7bfe873f15c115eee/1577867207182-W7KLSSLPJ22VSXDY0PJG/1011466_1402925873254565_429986368_n.jpg)
Playing palmas was one of those unexpected loves for me.
We play plenty of palmas on the Flamenco Tour.
Keep Reading
![Part 4: La Siesta [A Day in the Life of a Student on the Flamenco Tour to Jerez]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568079e7bfe873f15c115eee/1577866502718-5S40E6RXWT34CM2Z32YO/rooftop+Kelly+and+Laurie.jpg)
![Part 3: Bule-what? [A Day in the Life of a Student on the Flamenco Tour to Jerez]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568079e7bfe873f15c115eee/1577865884276-ONB87DU6I8RUYS1ZZPJK/bulerias.jpg)
![Part 2: Class with Mercedes [A Day in the Life of a Student on the Flamenco Tour to Jerez]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568079e7bfe873f15c115eee/1577865292306-KR3PPRRAUWP81YM8H3N9/Mercedes+class.jpg)
Here is what you can expect in class with Mercedes Ruíz on the Flamenco Tour to Jerez
Keep Reading
Many people ask me what a typical day looks like for a student on the Flamenco Tour to Jerez.
The following set of posts attempts to paint a picture (in words and photos) of a day in the life of a student in Jerez on the Flamenco Tour.
Keep Reading
Curious about the name change you see on our Portland Flamenco Events Facebook page?
(It’s new name is Experience Flamenco Portland)
Four years ago I merged Portland Flamenco Events (my Portland based flamenco education business) with Experience Flamenco (my business focused on creating educational Flamenco Tours to Spain) online.
It has become increasingly confusing operating as both Experience Flamenco and Portland Flamenco Events, so I have switched everything over to the name 'Experience Flamenco…”
Keep Reading
Does the idea of performing scare you to pieces?
You’re not alone.
Here I explore some fear I’ve been experiencing around an upcoming performance and eight steps I’ve taken (that you can take too) to prepare for a show when you don’t have an opportunity to rehearse in advance.
Keep Reading
"If You Are a Flamenco Lover, You Must Try This" | Debby's Impressions of the Flamenco Tour to Jerez
Debby, one of the students on the last fall’s Flamenco Tour to Jerez sent me this summary of her experience a few days upon returning home with this note. “Thank you again for a 100% approval trip. Here is how I truly felt.” If you’re curious about what happens on the Flamenco Tour, read on:
Keep Reading
In this video interview flamenco dancer Karen Lugo talks about her beginnings in Guadalajara, her obsession with rhythm that drove her to move to Spain, her influences, how she uses improvisation, her creative process, what she enjoys about teaching, advice for students, how she decides what to wear on stage, and what inspires her.
Keep Reading
It’s the final day of the year, so let’s take some time to reflect before ringing in the new year. What moments stood out in your flamenco life this year?
Below you can see some of my favorite flamenco memories from 2018 (in chronological order). I feel extremely grateful for the wonderful experiences this year delivered. One of the things I most love is how each event pictured below offered a new opportunity to join with flamenco lovers from across the country (and the world in some cases) to enjoy this incredible art form together.
Here are my top seven flamenco memories of the year