Location: The Sound Room, 3022 Broadway Oakland, CA 94611
Date: Friday, February 14, 2025, 7:30pm PST
Valentine’s Day Flamenco, Oakland, CA
Flamenco is a folkloric music tradition from southern Spain that evolved within the Andalusian gitano subculture. Flamenco combines song (cante), dance (baile), and music (toque).
Cante is flamenco’s vocal expression, performed by men and women, preferably seated, with no supporting vocalists. Grief, joy, sorrow, celebrating, and fear can all be portrayed through sincere, passionate lyrics that are brief and straightforward.
Flamenco baile is a dance of passion and courtship that may portray a wide spectrum of emotions, from grief to joy. The technique is intricate, with variations depending on whether the performer is masculine (heavy use of the feet) or female (gentler, more sensual movements). Toque, or the art of guitar playing, has long outlived its primary use as accompaniment. Other instruments used include castanets, hand clapping, and foot stamping.
Flamenco is performed at religious festivals, rites, church ceremonies, and private events. It is a symbol of identification for many people and groups, particularly the Gitano (Roma) ethnic community, which has played an important role in its growth. Transmission takes place through dynasties, families, social organizations, and Flamenco clubs, all of which play an important part in its maintenance and spread.
Featuring David McLean on guitar, Clara Rodriguez on dance and vocals, and Marlon Aldana on percussion; a second dancer is yet to be announced. Vocalist TBD
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