Voice of Flamenco
Welcome to jaleolé.com, Atlanta's voice of flamenco.
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Beginning January 27, 2004, jaleolé.com delivers news about
flamenco in and around Atlanta. Connect monthly with the local flamenco
community through articles focused on local issues, or share your story
by becoming a contributor. jaleolé.com is the one-stop spot for everyone
who is part of flamenco in Atlanta. Learn about upcoming classes and
performances, read reviews of previous events, and shop for treasures
in the classifieds.
jaleolé.com is the product of flamenco dancers/instructors
Rina Menosky and Julie Galle Baggenstoss, who strive to connect people
who share their love of the art. "It's like a warm cup of coffee. It's
friendly and open, and reflects our rich flamenco community," says Menosky.
In its first edition, jaleolé.com profiles a first-year flamenco
dance student discovering the wonder of the art. Watch for more exciting
articles, including interviews with performers and travel guides for
flamenco vacation spots.
Join the jaleolé.com mailing list to be notified by e-mail when a new
edition is published. mailinglist@jaleole.com
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A neophyte discovers the wonder of flamenco isn't limited to the body.
Visit a flamenco class at this time of year, and you'll feel more than
the rumble of footwork and snap of skirts. You'll feel the electricity
of dancers ready for a semester of new movement, music and knowledge.
First-year flamenco dance student Molly Simmons is one of those students,
yearning for what lies ahead in the deep, rich art of flamenco. Less
than six months into her flamenco education, Simmons says she's hooked
on a dance that connects her to herself, her long-standing interest
in Spanish culture and the future.
"I expected it would be like a class that I would take for a couple
of months, then I would go off and do something else. But, I really
became totally absorbed by it," said Simmons.
Simmons, a Spanish major, was drawn into flamenco during classes by
more than dance movements. "There's this whole cultural, historical
background to it that I had no idea existed. I thought it was just traditional
Spanish dance. The music also, there's a whole realm of music that is
out there that I didn't know about."
Simmons found flamenco while searching for a form of exercise that
had a spiritual element.
"[In class], we get a lot about the spirit, the duende, behind flamenco,"
she explained. Expressing spirit through dance is one of the forces
that draws Simmons to flamenco. Through that, she has come to better
understand herself.
Simmons finds flamenco to be less rigid than other forms of dance,
allowing for more individuality. "More so than other kinds of dance,
flamenco seems to be about displaying your personality, and, or even
flaunting it."
And she did flaunt it.
Simmons improvised dances before audiences at Flamenco Friday and a
flamenco show at Balance Restaurant during the fall of 2003. She says
it was the pinnacle of her first semester of flamenco lessons. "So many things that I thought would be goals that I would put off,
I have already achieved to a small degree. I would have never thought
I would have gotten up in front of people who I didn't know... and just
made up stuff on the spot," she said.
Simmons attributes her accomplishments to an open mind and being eager
to learn. Now, those same qualities push her into a second semester
of flamenco dance lessons.
Simmons realizes flamenco may not be for everyone, but she encourages
everyone who dreams of it to explore its unknown depth. "Without attending
class, you could miss something. It could be an important part of your
life and you wouldn't know it."
Flamenco classes are
currently underway across Atlanta. Contact
teachers for schedules.
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Get a treat with dinner once a month in 2004. 
Flamenco group Caló Gitano will appear monthly at Balance Restaurant.The
group's engaging shows in 2003 paved the way for it to become a regular
at the Midtown dinner spot. During their most recent performance, guitarist
Fernando and dancer/singer Malita captured the audience with flamenco
favorites of alegrías, farruca and more. They opened their stage
to two talented musicians in the audience: Washington, D.C., based guitarist/singer
Gerard Moreno and local percussionist Jerry Fields. The expanded group
treated a small crowd to an improvised jam session, complete with dancers
improvising their own tangos and bulerías.
Fernando and Malita have worked together for three years, and have
decades of experience between them. Malita is a Venezuelan native who
has danced flamenco for nearly 20 years. Fernando is Persian, and has
played flamenco guitar professionally in Spain and Germany. Caló
Gitano's next show at Balance Restaurant will be on Thursday, February
26 at 8:30 p.m. Admission is free, and dinner reservations are strongly
suggested. Call 404-870-9881 for more details.
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