Flamenco goddess Carmen Amaya.My father was from Spain, so even though I was born and mostly raised in the U.S., the music of my childhood was solely European classical and flamenco. That’s why my upcoming novel is named, “Flamenco & the Sitting Cat,” and here flamenco my marvelous visit to Madrid merits a post of its own.
When it comes to flamenco, Seville gets all of the attention. Madrid’s Casa Patas, however, was amazing!!! My photos turned out awful — instead, here’s someone else’s video from another show. Each night features different performers. As terrific as these young girls are — the adult performers were even better!!!
How I wish young girls everywhere knew that beauty has little to do with popularity, wealth, youth, and plastic surgery. If only every single one of them was encouraged to artistically express unrestrained exuberance, anger, strength, fury, humor, and passion …
The beauty of flamenco is very different from that of Hollywood…
All-time flamenco goddess, Carmen Amaya…
Flamenco star of today, Sara Baras…
Check back here for an upcoming Part 4 on Madrid hostess par excellence Henrietta Fielden, her home, and her pets — all delightful enough to merit a separate post and a video!
Other posts about our memorable vacation:
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France
French Basque Country: Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Bayonne, and Biarritz
Madrid, Spain — Part 1 — Part 2 — this post (Part 3) — Part 4
Have you ever been enchanted by a country’s special dance?
I haven’t been out of my country actually. But I would love to see other cultures and the dance which comes along with it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am sending you good thoughts that someday you’ll have visited all the places you’d like to see 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow 😍 thank you for that. It really mean a lot to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fabulous .. I love Spain 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is truly a fun visit 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post, da-AL. My youngest daughter is into dance, but she’s never tried the flamenco.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hopefully some day she’ll get a chance to try it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing your adventures, can see the world through your eyes!… I am afraid that this is one dance I will have to decline, but I still dance to the music of life… 😉
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover, acquire new friends and gain knowledge of yourself and the world.” Samual Clemens aka Mark Twain
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s true, Dutch, that we can’t do everything — so in those cases we’re fortunate to occassionally live vicariously 🙂
LikeLike
That first video with the girls dancing Flamenco was fabulous. I have never seen kids dance it, only adults. Loved it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the upcoming book name, “Flamenco & the Sitting Cat”. And the videos are fab. I especially like the first one as it’s great to see young girls become more empowered and confident though dance. Flamenco, and dance generally really, is an incredibly powerful way to express yourself. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you liked them, Caz 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! to the Amaya and Baras videos – Sensational!
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLike
What a marvelous time you have had. Only once in my life have I seen dancers performing “Flamenco.” Yes, capitalized, because this is truly an art form. But it seems so much more than dancing, it is a way of life, a view of life, an outpouring of exuberance. I am so enjoying your trip through Spain. You have no idea how much it means to someone whose traveling days are long past. Not complaining as long as I have friends who share their excursions and I can experience them vicariously. I appreciate you, my friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And I appreciate you, dear Barb ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love Flamenco! It’s so passionate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sure is 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are all very virtuoso. I have never seen so young girls dancing it. It is amazing, how seriously they are taking it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Loved the young girls dancing Flamenco – such attitude!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! What amazing talent and stamina..love the expressive and passionate faces – fantastic videos.
I’ve not been to Madrid, but did drive in Reg (our motorhome) from UK to France to Spain and saw many gorgeous places such as Valencia, Barcelona, Cambrils, Taragona, and more – must return. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Would love to see your photos 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t uploaded my Spain photos yet to my photography site – still building the replacement site. I do have a few old blogs with photos if you want to check these out and hope you don’t mind me including the link here 🙂 https://imageearthtravel.com/category/europe/spain/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great photos! I appreciate the link 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person