Flamenco
Characterized by its colorful costumes, intense movements and turns, tapping feet (zapateado), and the elegant movement and clapping of hands (palmadas) to the guitar, flamenco is one of the most popular elements Spanish culture.
It's an art that easily transmits passion through the face gestures and movements of the dancers (bailaores and bailaoras) and musicians.
Flamenco used to be the musical outlet of the poor and opressed during the 16th century, but now it's a popular dance throughout the world. It became one of Spain's symbols of national identity during Francoist Spain, since the dictator wanted to promote patriotism.
Within this art, there are several styles (palos) that vary in rythm, melody and harmonic structure. Each is categorized as well by a mood. AlegrÃas, fandangos, bulerÃas, sevillanas, tangos, tientos and rumbas are just a few of the many palos that flamenco has.
The origins of flamenco date back to 550 BC, and it was the result of a melting pot of Indian, Jewsih and Moorish cultures along the Spanish gypsies.
Also, it is an art that has experienced the process of "ida y vuelta" with the new world (exchange of styles, melodies, rythms, etc.) to enrich itself and the emerging cultures.
Here are my favorite three bailaores of all time. They keep inspiring and influencing me and many flamenco lovers around the world.
 Eva Yerbabuena |  Study Garrido |
|---|---|
 Joaquin Cortez |
WhyFlamenco?
As I said in the About section, I've been dancing flamenco for as long as I can remember. My mom enrolled me when I was seven in an academy to help me lose my shyness and develop my artistic side. I remember I didn't like that much at the beginning because I was not use to those abrupt movements, zapateos and turns. I was extremely shy and dancing for me was a big challenge.
However, with time, I started appreciating flamenco. I watched videos, downloaded the songs to practice at home, and arrived early to class to be on the first row in front the mirror to see myself move gracely (that came with a lot of practice) to the palos.
When I moved to the United States from Venezuela two years ago, the first thing I did was locating a flamenco academy to keep practicing. Luckily, I found one near my house with a Venezuelan instructor called Angeles Gitanos.
However, I had to leave my academy due to overlapping schedule with the university. I became part of the Honors College and president of the Venezuelan Student Alliance, so my "me time" with flamenco was no longer available.
Luckily, I was avaible to become part of the Honors College Spain Study Aborad and I always knew it was the perfect opportunity to reconnect with that passion of mine: my dearest flamenco.
I decided to create "Olé, guapa!" as my project to have everything I learned about this art placed in just one site. Also, I hope to share here what I will learn in my visit to Spain this summer with my class.
Stay tuned for more!
Y olé!
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