Bulerias Magic Formula also works for Tangos Por Fiesta!

Hey, economies of scale in the learning curve, talk about efficient!

By Kasandra “La China”
July 6, 2007

So continuing on from Bulerias Demystified, write this secret magic formula on your hand in big RED PEN MARKS:

• ENTRADA – Entrance
• LETRA – Verse of song
• DESPLANTE – Display or showcase
• SALIDA – Exit

If you’ve been to Spain, you’ll know that they say Salida all the time.  Salida for entrance, salida for exit.  But since we’re organized, let’s call the Entrance = Entrada and Exit = Salida so we’re clear on terminology.

This Bulerias magic formula applies to Tangos por Fiesta as well.

Tangos is another fiesta dance that is danced in the streets, at weddings and at feria in Andalucia, the south of Spain.  Last spring I went to the Feria de Abril in Seville and also the Feria de Caballo in Jerez de la Frontera.  These are big events to Spaniards, who save up their money to buy the whole family feria clothes.  Boys get dressed as caballeros (cowboys), men don cordobes and sevillan sombreros and the WOMEN, who are as vain as peacocks in the most positive sense, dress in elaborate sevillanas dresses.
Spaniards understand GUAPA.  Guapa means good looking, pretty, hot, etc.  I don’t think we Canadians really understand GUAPA as we stand here in Birkenstocks, Mountain Equipment Coop and Taiga clothes.  But in Spain, GOD FORBID if you wear jeans and a baseball cap because it is SOOO super FEO (ugly).

Anyway, at Feria I witnessed groups of guapas in brightly coloured sevillanas dresses in all their ruffles, pomp and glory, break out into Tangos Por Fiesta.  Elbow to elbow, they formed a tight circle, each took turns singing letras, dancing, doing palmas and jaleo.  It was very spontaneous and joyous. And everybody could sing, dance, do palmas and jaleo.  In compas!  Amazing!

It is with such joy and passion that Por Fiesta dances are done.  It’s not a performance, it’s not a choreography, it’s just a spontaneous burst of song and dance, cheering your comrades on.  It is with this flavour that Oscar and I teach Por Fiesta Masterclasses.  It’s a rare treat for our students to participate with live musicians in a class.  It’s chaotic, it’s a little foreign, it’s nerve-racking but it’s Flamenco Puro (pure cuadro flamenco) and it is true to the essence of Flamenco spirit.

My feeling is that Canadians are too up tight here…feeling self-conscious and shy.  What the…?!  If you were really shy, you wouldn’t be taking flamenco dance lessons, SO THERE.  There’s a diva in there dying to get out so don’t lie to yourself.  It’s embarrassing. (You’re probably sitting at your computer laughing now, so that means La China hit it bang on.  I’m right. SO THERE.  You probably dance in front of the mirror before bed doing some mock imitation of Farruquito or Sara Baras.  I know it.  We all know it, so stop lying.)

We need to break out the sangria to really make it authentic tho…which is why Saturday morning bulerias and tangos are quite odd.

I hope you will be able to join in the fun and let loose.  On July 25 and 26 try out my ONE DAY ONLY Bulerias and Tangos por Fiesta workshops from 6-9pm.

I’m teaching CAJON (drumbox) at 6, so bring some percussion instruments to bang on, hit, smash, get some frustration out.  We’ll have some extra to share.  Then stay for the dance class and live musicians.  Should we bring wine?  I’m serious…do what it takes to have a little fun.  You can be serious in the morning.