Here’s a masterfully fun tango clip of “Lost in Paris,” a marvelous film I recently discovered by French film burlesque style due Canadian Fiona Gordon and Belgian Dominique Abel…
And another from the same movie — that’s choreographed by them (and danced?)…
What’s your favorite dance film?…
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“Flamenco & the Sitting Cat” is the title of the first of my soon-to-be self-published novels. The ‘Sitting Cat’ part of the title refers to the geographical shape of Iran…
Map of Iran outlined in the shape of a Sitting Cat.
I grew up with only classical music — and flamenco music and dance. My father, who left Barcelona in his mid-20s, wanted it that way. Since I left home at 18, it’s a gift to watch any type of dance I like and to listen to every kind of music that comes my way.
Shahrokh Moshkin Ghalam respectfully and lovingly fuses dance cultures.
I still love classical — and flamenco! Especially fascinating to me is when flamenco is fused with the dance of Iran, where my husband was raised. Shahrokh Moshkin Ghalam is an Iranian dancer now residing in France. Flamenco is as much about individuality as it is about technique — it accommodates all cultures, all forms of beauty.
If only politics were as intent on creating a climate of ‘we’ rather than an ‘us vs. them’!
The marvels of Spain, too numerous to count (after all, my soon-to-be self-published novel is called “Flamenco & the Sitting Cat”) — were rendered all the more marvelous thanks to our kind hostess Henrietta Fielden (henriettafielden@gmail.com).
Her flat in Madrid is located within a theater building that’s over a hundred years old. Everything there is gorgeous, starting with the stairwell…
Going up is lovely… And so is going down…
…and ending with dear Henrietta herself! Starting each day at her table was a delight not merely because her breakfast spreads were feasts both eyes and tummy — she’s also fun and interesting to chat with, no matter how our sleepy bodies protested at waking early for more sighseeing …
…moreover, her little Wifi kitty could easily be a professional stand-er! According to Henrietta, he’s merited quite a few Japanese YouTube viewers since she hosted guests from there.
My husband and I are fortunate to have met WiFi’s equally handsome and charming brother. Alas, WiFi’s performance made me forget to photograph his brother who has since passed away, his life far too short.
When I uploaded this short video of WiFi to my YouTube channel, Henrietta contributed this enlightening note, “There’s my WiFi! To potential fans, I should let you know he lacks discrimination. He will do this to a bare wall sometimes, too. So perhaps it is a kind of praying…”
Both of them humored my taking many pictures of them to share with you…
In the end, it’s the kindness of the people I meet on a trip that most touch my heart.
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…
Madrid is such a jam-packed marvel that it deserves more than one post. Spacious parks abound. Here I posed at one that displayed Don Quixote and his devoted Sancho Panza…
Thank goodness these aren’t the kinds of horses that need to be swept up after.
We could have spent way more than just a day at the Prado Museum, regarded as among world’s finest art museums. Outside in front of it, a bronze statue of painter Diego Velázquez made by Aniceto Marinas in 1899 greets visitors…
Even the gardens surrounding the Prado are amazing — my eyes were too busy taking it all in for my brain to remind me to take photos. No worries, dear readers. This short video offers a sampling of the collection …
Such is my love of Spain and Flamenco (after all, my novel-in-progress is titled, “Flamenco & the Sitting Cat) that here I include this endearing small pen and ink pen drawing, “Bailaora (Flamenco Dancer)” 1945 by Enrique Herreros that was also there…
Flamenco deserves its own post — visit soon to read Part 3: Marvelous Madrid, Spain.
The king of Spain and his family weren’t in when we visited, but we still enjoyed his nice house.
Our three-week Spain/France adventure ended with four nights in Madrid — a city that needs far more time than that to fully appreciate all of its marvelousness — museums, architecture, public art, food (including the world’s oldest restaurant), parks (among them centuries-old gardens), nightlife, and on and on. So much so that this part of our vacation is split into more than one post!
“Flamenco & the Sitting Cat,” my novel-in-progress, is titled for my love of Spain and multi-culturalism. My husband and I arrived tired and late. Driving from León took longer than we planned, and rain made finding our accommodations extra troublesome.
The next morning we slept in, and then took a leisurely stroll that quickly revealed tons of political graffiti, much of it for gender equality, amid the big city hustle-bustle…
Political graffiti in Madrid, Spain.
Political graffiti in Madrid, Spain.
Political graffiti in Madrid, Spain.
Political graffiti in Madrid, Spain.
After a stop for lunch, we started to feel ourselves again, so we ventured further to where the king and his family stay when they’re in town.
The Royal Palace of Madrid was built in 1764. From floors to ceilings, it’s packed with non-stop gorgeous art…
Does the royal family find their ceiling art a pain in the neck?
Each year, a dear friend opens her home to her dance-loving friends. We share great food and either perform or just enjoy watching.
My love of dance is great — that’s why one of my upcoming novels is titled, “Flamenco & the Sitting Cat”! The style of Argentine tango that my husband I dance is called Tango Elegante, taught by these outstanding teachers.
Our friend’s daughter kindly shot this video of my honey and me…
What’s your favorite dance?…
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On these heat rash inducing days when all I want to do is take showers and more showers, it’s extra nice to look at beautiful things within a cooled museum. Every time I visit the Museum of Latin American Art, I’m rewarded with something new, fun, and thought provoking.
Little Red Riding Hood reinterpreted in plasticine by Mondogo Argentine art collective
Mondongo Argentine art collective wolves in plasticine clothing
My art-loving mom wanted to see it, especially since she’s from there. Lo and behold, the exhibit somewhat disappointing — great but tiny!
‘Somewhat’ only — because I was delighted to see oodles of other great stuff! Dunno how MOLAA decides to publicize one thing and not another — I’ll show you what I mean.
There’re Ramiro Gómez Jr.’s showy magazine photos cleverly brought up to the reality by the insertion of the workers (hover over or tap photos for titles) …
Lorena Waiting for Her Check by Ramiro Gómez Jr.
Martin Sweeping by Ramiro Gómez Jr.
Delia Preparing Dinner by Ramiro Gómez Jr.
Fernando and the Pool by Ramiro Gómez Jr.
Camila Cleaning by Ramiro Gómez Jr.
There’s historical political art …
Sun Mad by Ester Hernandez
There’s classically gorgeous stuff …
Precisely Here by Javier Marín
And then there’s Luis Tapia’s work! How can it be that he’s not given a dedicated calendar event listing when MOLAA’s dedicated an entire room to his work?! Is MOLAA afraid that this little museum, so beloved by all sorts of people, will get all the more popular and they won’t be able to accommodate everyone? (Hover over or tap pix to see titles.)
Barrío Barbie by Luis Tapia
Camino de Sueños by Luis Tapia
Three Graces by Luis Tapia
Cruising Hollywood: Homage to Magu by Luis Tapia
Corazon Negro by Luis Tapia (front)
Corazon Negro by Luis Tapia (back)
Chuy con su Carga by Luis Tapia
Abuela by Luis Tapia (front)
Abuela by Luis Tapia (back)
Pachuco Way by Luis Tapia
Who’s your favorite artist?
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A long time activist, he’s a self-described visual historian and storyteller.
“Death of Rubén Salazar,” 1986, depicts the night the Los Angeles Times’ first Chicano journalist was killed.
I say he’s also a journalist and a feminist.
A woman shaman by Frank Romero.
The fabulous museum opened in the mid-90s. Up until a few years ago, it only displayed art by Central American and South American artists. No North American art.
Los Angeles’ car culture is another of Romero’s frequent subjects.
After decades of community pressure, a few years ago it let Latin North American art in.
Romero’s reworking of artist Edward Kienholz’s installation, “Back Seat Dodge ’38.”Romero’s depictions of old and present Los Angeles have helped define it.
Only now has it gotten around to featuring a Chicano in a solo show. Romero is a great choice.
A more recent depiction of Los Angeles shows how Romero’s style is changing. These days, he even paints in France.
Great things are alway going on at MOLAA. Sundays are free admission.
Just one of the many Frida Kahlo photos in MOLAA’s latest ode to her.
Right now, in addition to Romero’s art, hurry over to enjoy a wonderful Frida Kahlo collection of photos and correspondence.
Khashayar and da-AL learning a new step.
Happiness Between Tails by da-AL 