Congenial Flamenco Festivals?

[Sean Kernan]

I'd love to spend a vacation at a flamenco festival or event in Spain. My seense is that a smaller one might be more enjoyable, but perhaps not. Anyone have any experiences?
Thanks
Sean

[flamencoguru]

Hello,

I spent a week in July of 2003 in Córdoba, Spain at the Festival de la Guitarra, studying with Manolo Sanlúcar, José Antonio Rodríguez, Manolo Franco and Paco Serrano. It was a great experience. I don't think I learned a lot from the course but I do believe I made great contacts and friends.

Manolo Sanlúcar was inspirational but, in my own personal opinion, he's not a great teacher for the masses. Maybe if you are a Vicente Amigo he might be a great teacher. I'm not a Vicente so I wouldn't know. He was very nice and he did offer some great advice but I guess I was expecting more. I was expecting to learn more about accompanying cante and baile but it was more geared for concert solo flamenco guitar. The majority of the teachers were just showing you their falsetas. I thought, "What is this?". I'm able to read music our listen to a falseta and pick it up.

I really liked Paco Serrano. He is a true teacher, great communicator.

Again these are my own personal opinions. I think the best way to learn flamenco is going to the peñas (flamenco clubs) and sitting in with the people and learning through real life flamenco. I guess this is not always an option if you have limited time. Thankfully, I was able to do this for 3 years while living in Spain.

Here are a couple of websites to maybe assist you in your search.

http://www.guitarracordoba.com/indexes.html

http://www.flamencoheeren.com/

Cheers and good luck

[compagnito]

Great info FG I think we should all meet up (flamencos that is not the Ramirez 1A Groupies) in Saintes Maries next May 24, hanging out, drinking, playing flamenco in the square?

$%%&%^& &&^n **&^^& (((*&&^ special invite for Jube

[Jubilee Valence]

Great info FG I think we should all meet up (flamencos that is not the Ramirez 1A Groupies) in Saintes Maries next May 24, hanging out, drinking, playing flamenco in the square?

$%%&%^& &&^n **&^^& (((*&&^ special invite for Jube :twisted: I got the Luckey's... :? 3 questions:"Puro-Cerveza?";R-1 welcome?;can I lose the tall saddle & sneak it in? 8) ...Need ideas for "reduced fare"...

[compagnito]

cerveza si bueno, the fare - duh trip to Vegas to win it.....what the f**& the saddle s**& is all about?

Hope to see Drac along too!