Flamenco Lights Up the Old Pueblo
by Rebecca Naylor-Sánchez
Here in Tucson, when one thinks of Spanish culture it’s easy to think of it as something half a world away. But the truth is that there is an authentic Spanish community right here in the Old Pueblo, and there is never a time when this becomes more apparent than during the annual Tucson Flamenco Festival taking place downtown at Casa Vicente. This four-day event happening September 27th through the 30th will feature many world class performers, a Flamenco fashion show, tapas for sale, workshops, a wine tasting, a Spanish boutique, and an outdoor bar.
Already a staple of Spanish fare for the past seven years, Casa Vicente, along with the Spanish Club of Tucson and the Flamenco del Pueblo Viejo dance studio, are coming together to host this one of a kind event. When asked why he felt the need to start such a festival four years ago, Vicente Sanchez, owner of Casa Vicente, says, “It was surprising that a city with our history along with its growing interest in Spanish food, wine, and culture didn’t already have its own Flamenco Festival. That’s why we took the initiative to plan our first event by inviting prominent guest artists from around the world and combining them with other elements of the Spanish feria experience for a truly electrifying event.”
When asked what exactly makes this a must-see festival for the people of Tucson, Marita Gomez, co-owner of Casa Vicente, explains that “most shows of this caliber that come to the U.S. are staged in large theaters. While these are also worthwhile, there is nothing quite like the intimacy of an outdoor event with an up close and personal feel. Not many cities offer a festival in a venue as traditional as ours.” Apart from the venue, one of the performers in the event, Mele Martinez, adds that “most Tucsonans have never seen real flamenco; it is somewhat a mystery, which is enticing and exciting. It is completely different than what most of us are used to when it comes to music and dance.” It is not so different, however, that those unaccustomed to it cannot enjoy it. Instead, she says that, “when you see it, you can instantly connect to it.”
That is one of the aspects that Martinez, who has been dancing since the age of three, loves. As a performer, she enjoys “the interplay between music and movement – the impromptu communication that happens between all the artists on stage.” This infectious energy between performers then radiates into the crowd and results in the sort of chemistry that would be reminiscent of a late-night fiesta in Spain, combined with the intimacy of a family reunion. Perhaps what makes the Flamenco Festival of Tucson so memorable are these personal connections that occur simultaneously for artists and spectators alike.
In the end, this festival is about more than just performers on a stage, the same way Flamenco is more than castanets and frilly dresses. It is the embodiment of Spanish culture and revolves around something Gomez would describe as “a way of life.” She says Flamenco “is something so Spanish, yet so universal and alive. It comes from the heart and soul filled with passion and love, and it brings all who are watching crashing into the present. One has to see it live to really know how it can move you.”
More information on the Tucson Flamenco Festival can be found online at TucsonFlamencoFestival.com
photo: Flamenco del Pueblo Viejo, by Lorraine DarConte
Category: Entertainment, FOOD & DRINK
