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ENTRE FLAMENCO IN MADISON, GA Entre Flamenco performs in Madison, Georgia, with Jerezano dancer Antonio Granjero headlining the show.
DIRECTIONS Atlanta flamenco fans get a second dose of the proud tradition of the "Jerez style" in a January show. By Julie BaggenstossIt was 1:30 a.m. on a cold February morning in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, and we sat like sardines in la Peña de Bulería applauding the performers who were finally taking the stage for what would become my first flamenco show at a peña. On one of my first nights in Spain, I wasn't really sure what a peña was or if it would be the scene of one of those much talked about flamenco parties that lasted until sunrise. I was sure that on that chilly night, I was tired and hungrier than the bocadillos and the beer that I had consumed while waiting for this mysterious show. As I clapped for the entering performers, I waited and waited for the dancer to join them, in something ruffled and maybe red. She never showed up. Only the men did. And, most were senior citizens. And, so the show began.
A couple of songs into it and my angst over the missing women was replaced by laughter. For, these over the hill and approaching sunset men were jumping, spinning, and running as they played with one another through dance and singing - por bulerías after bulerías. Before I knew it, tears were uncontrollably running down my cheeks while the men poked fun at each other, life, us, and more, as if they were children. And, yes sir, these men even pranced around like women to clown around. The night didn't stretch too far into the morning, but it was enough to initiate me into the style of Jerez, full of singing, laughter, fellowship, life. Seems my reaction to the famed Jerez style of flamenco was right in line with what at least one Jerezano expects.
When Granjero performs just outside of Atlanta on January 28, 2012, with Entre Flamenco, it will be the second dose of the distinct Jerez style of flamenco that the Atlanta area has seen in recent months. His show at the Madison Morgan Cultural Center brings emotional variety to the audience, according to Granjero. "Often when you see dancers from another style or location of Spain, yes, they give an excellent performance. But, their essence is based on 'remates' (endings to verses and dance steps) and fast feet. The essence of Jerez style evokes a more broad base of emotions of the audience." The Jerez style refers to a distinct sound, look, and feel that is unique to flamenco practiced in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. It is one of several cities across Andalucía where flamenco was born and evolved in isolated pockets, creating separate and distinct forms of the art form.
"In Jerez, there is nothing more important than the bulerías," says Domingo Ortega, a Jerez-born flamenco dancer who taught a flamenco workshop in Atlanta in November 2011. "The bulerías is something that has much 'soniquete.' Soniquete for us is like a rhythm with counting. And then, the letras (song verses) in the style of Jerez are not sung normally if they are sung in the style of Jerez. No. They are very identifiably ours." With the focus on men here - Granjero, Ortega, and those clowning guys at La Peña Bulería - let's not overlook the women of Jerez. In the case of cante, two ladies, La Niña de los Peines, Paquera de Jerez, take legendary status for their widespread performance of bulerías de Jerez. Their voices are among those that shaped generations of dancers in their accompaniment of bulerías de Jerez. Granjero points out that in Jerez, the song is at the center of it all. "In dance, any dancer from Jerez, regardless of the technique that is being executed there is a great respect for the 'cante' (singing)," he says. "From childhood, we are familiar with the cante. Jerez practices a strong culture of cante. That influences the personal style of each dancer, which distinctly sets apart dance style from Jerez."
It's a small difference, but one of many that adds up to a distinct style that is at the core of art and pride of flamenco in Jerez. experimentation, fusion, and the arrival of outside influences. "The most important idea is that the new generations of dancers from Jerez maintain the same firmness in the identity of our dance style, that we don't go along with modern fads that come and go," says Granjero. "In Jerez, the flamenco goes a bit slower than the rest of the world. In Jerez, flamenco advances with firmness, without forgetting the roots, without forgetting where you are from," says Ortega. Despite more communication with other countries and the influences of music from other countries, Jerezano artists stick to the roots, Ortega explains with an analogy to medicine. "You are able to understand a little about all of medicine… but it is difficult to advance in one thing at a time, such as curing cancer. If you want to advance inside of flamenco, you must go little by little." |
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© jaleolé.com 2012
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Above, Domingo Ortega teaches a flamenco dance class in November, 2011 in Atlanta. Photo by Gloriela
Rosas.