Flamenco: Third Session

This term we will learn to dance Zambra, a style commonly danced at Gypsy celebrations and that you may have encountered if visiting the Sacromonte neighbourhood in Granada. It is three dances in one: the alboreá, the cachucha and the mosca, which curiously coincide with the stages of a Gypsy traditional wedding. Its somehow monotonous rhythm, which will allow us to work in a more expressive range of movements and the use of the skirt, is an indication of its obvious folk roots and its link to Moorish legacy. It belongs to the family of Tarantos, Tangos y Tientos and was popularised by Manolo Caracol and Lola Flores in the 1940s and 1950s. It is originally from Granada, and allows for a wide range of visually pleasing steps.

As usual, we will study the technique of tapping, the use of the skirt as a means while dancing, posture in flamenco, arm and hand movement and rhythm. The rich history behind the different styles will also be covered.