Check out this link from the Edmonton Journal:
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/opinion/story.html?id=75dfadd4-cd08-4023-b5f2-42c4b73a2280
Why can't the majority of us spend 15 minutes every 4 years to vote? Yet we spend that 4 years complaining about the state of the government?
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Back from the Flamenco Tour
Winter in Spain. Not so bad after all! It was great to have the company of the ladies who joined the Sevilla Flamenco Tour - 2 weeks of flamenco class, live guitar accompaniment plus lots of time to enjoy relaxing in Sevilla. Tapas, glasses of vino tinto, arab baths, seeing all of the sights...
It was a busy time! Marinella, Zoe, Florence, Terri & Janice were studying dance. Kevin was also there studying cajon.
Marinella and I shared a flat, which was really nice as we went to many classes together (me running behind, catching up to get to class on time :-) We also had a chance to hang out every now and then - she introduced me to Amador the percussionist for Antonio Canales (with whom she's worked before). Through him we got the inside scoop on the flamenco world of fame! We also frequented La Tertulia - visiting with friends, listening to a celtic jam session (of all things in Sevilla!)
The other ladies shared an apartment around the corner, which was right in the heart of Sevilla. I tried to pop over for visits every now and then and every time the door opened, wafts of yummy cooking smells would come pouring out. Terri- I tried to make your baked yam slices and they just didn't turn out the same!! The ladies went for class every day, to barrio Macarena. Judging from what they told me - it seemed like they adored their teacher Leonor (and nobody complained about their curly haired guitarist Juan either :-)
They learned lots of new pasos - por Bulerias, por Guajiras (I found the stories of fans flying across the room particularly amusing) and they even had enough energy to add extra hours to the original course time. I don't know how they did it! PLUS they busied themselves exploring Sevilla...
We had a bunch of excursions. Some organized and led by me as part of the tour, and the rest of them the group organized on their own. We visited the Flamenco Museum, the Alhambra in Granada (one of the wonders of the ancient world and still an absolute marvel today), the Alcazar - palace of Sevilla, Giralda (world's largest Gothic cathedral), Triana (tradidional gypsy/flamenco neighbourhood of Sevilla), we had walking tours, a bus tour, a couple of the girls said the arab baths were the top highlight (must've been after a day of hard-core dancing :-), the ancient Roman site of Italica...and more!
Terri and Janice also added a few days onto their trip and I've been admiring Terri's beautiful photos of the area around Ronda, a famous archaeological cave site, the city of Cordoba, Tarifa - they really got around everywhere!
As for me, my time was spent in the usual way. Continuing to live my "other" life in Sevilla, hanging out with my friends, doing daily activities like shopping at the fruit and vegetable market. I performed at Arrayan & also rehearsed with another guitarist, with whom I am preparing some repertoire...and of course I continued my training (the most important reason for being all that way across the Atlantic), studying with Isabel Bayon, Manuel Betanzos, Carmen Ledesma and one very interesting class with La Farruca herself!
It was a particular whirlwind of a time - although I tried to live as I normally do, it was a bit busier with the constant changing of flats, friends visiting and new arrivals for the tour. But also a lot of fun! Dynamic, vibrant, intensely living and enjoying life, letting flamenco absorb into your very being. That is what the word Sevilla REALLY means!
Oh, the shows!! We saw plenty of them, larger venues, smaller tablaos, one interview with Estrella Morente who is a true star...from Pastora Galvan dancing to Rafaela Carrasco, it couldn't get any better!
Of course, we are all happy to be back breathing clean air (not smoke) and walking where parks are truly wilderness, not manicured urban retreats...and thank goodness there is flamenco here too! There is a line-up of flamenco shows almost every week in April...
Sevilla Flamenco Tour participants - please add comments to this blog and let others know about your favourite experiences during your time there!!
It was a busy time! Marinella, Zoe, Florence, Terri & Janice were studying dance. Kevin was also there studying cajon.
Marinella and I shared a flat, which was really nice as we went to many classes together (me running behind, catching up to get to class on time :-) We also had a chance to hang out every now and then - she introduced me to Amador the percussionist for Antonio Canales (with whom she's worked before). Through him we got the inside scoop on the flamenco world of fame! We also frequented La Tertulia - visiting with friends, listening to a celtic jam session (of all things in Sevilla!)
The other ladies shared an apartment around the corner, which was right in the heart of Sevilla. I tried to pop over for visits every now and then and every time the door opened, wafts of yummy cooking smells would come pouring out. Terri- I tried to make your baked yam slices and they just didn't turn out the same!! The ladies went for class every day, to barrio Macarena. Judging from what they told me - it seemed like they adored their teacher Leonor (and nobody complained about their curly haired guitarist Juan either :-)
They learned lots of new pasos - por Bulerias, por Guajiras (I found the stories of fans flying across the room particularly amusing) and they even had enough energy to add extra hours to the original course time. I don't know how they did it! PLUS they busied themselves exploring Sevilla...
We had a bunch of excursions. Some organized and led by me as part of the tour, and the rest of them the group organized on their own. We visited the Flamenco Museum, the Alhambra in Granada (one of the wonders of the ancient world and still an absolute marvel today), the Alcazar - palace of Sevilla, Giralda (world's largest Gothic cathedral), Triana (tradidional gypsy/flamenco neighbourhood of Sevilla), we had walking tours, a bus tour, a couple of the girls said the arab baths were the top highlight (must've been after a day of hard-core dancing :-), the ancient Roman site of Italica...and more!
Terri and Janice also added a few days onto their trip and I've been admiring Terri's beautiful photos of the area around Ronda, a famous archaeological cave site, the city of Cordoba, Tarifa - they really got around everywhere!
As for me, my time was spent in the usual way. Continuing to live my "other" life in Sevilla, hanging out with my friends, doing daily activities like shopping at the fruit and vegetable market. I performed at Arrayan & also rehearsed with another guitarist, with whom I am preparing some repertoire...and of course I continued my training (the most important reason for being all that way across the Atlantic), studying with Isabel Bayon, Manuel Betanzos, Carmen Ledesma and one very interesting class with La Farruca herself!
It was a particular whirlwind of a time - although I tried to live as I normally do, it was a bit busier with the constant changing of flats, friends visiting and new arrivals for the tour. But also a lot of fun! Dynamic, vibrant, intensely living and enjoying life, letting flamenco absorb into your very being. That is what the word Sevilla REALLY means!
Oh, the shows!! We saw plenty of them, larger venues, smaller tablaos, one interview with Estrella Morente who is a true star...from Pastora Galvan dancing to Rafaela Carrasco, it couldn't get any better!
Of course, we are all happy to be back breathing clean air (not smoke) and walking where parks are truly wilderness, not manicured urban retreats...and thank goodness there is flamenco here too! There is a line-up of flamenco shows almost every week in April...
Sevilla Flamenco Tour participants - please add comments to this blog and let others know about your favourite experiences during your time there!!
Monday, February 25, 2008
A Greener Election?
I'm back from Spain, again! Settling into life here, again! Enjoying the snow, again! :-) Just wrapped up a piece for Dance Explosions which was a wonderful opportunity to creatively explore working with contemporary movement, lighting design as well as see to the works of other choreographers. A very diverse and inspirational run!
My piece was titled "Shadows & Luminosity" - inspired by the moon (especially last week's eclipse). It was an exploration of internal expression, emotional response, the subconcious, femininity, contrasts - aspects that the moon represents in legends, astrology and many cultures. The choreography developed in shadows and shafts of light that both highlighted and obscured the body....as for the rest you'd have to see it!!
Now I am running around, dropping off flyers for the Alberta Greens. You would never believe how many thousands live in a single neighbourhood!! Finding out where the mailboxes are hiding is also an interesting challenge :-) The leader, George Read, is running in Calgary NW. As well I am supporting the campaign of Randy Weeks, who is the candidate for Calgary Bow. If you are thinking about voting green, find out more on:
www.albertagreens.ca
also, more about where to vote etc. on
www.elections.ab.ca
The Greens have a full platform that covers all relevant issues. They are environmentally sustainable, fiscally responsible AND socially progressive. Balanced and forward-thinking, I am so happy to find a party with such integrity that values grassroots involvement.
Whatever your party leanings are - don't vote blindly!! Do you know who your candidate is and what they stand for??
I'm going to be attending a candidate debate tomorrow & look forward to hearing the views from everyone (plus I have a few questions up my sleeve :-)
The provicial vote is on Monday, March 3rd....see you at the polls
My piece was titled "Shadows & Luminosity" - inspired by the moon (especially last week's eclipse). It was an exploration of internal expression, emotional response, the subconcious, femininity, contrasts - aspects that the moon represents in legends, astrology and many cultures. The choreography developed in shadows and shafts of light that both highlighted and obscured the body....as for the rest you'd have to see it!!
Now I am running around, dropping off flyers for the Alberta Greens. You would never believe how many thousands live in a single neighbourhood!! Finding out where the mailboxes are hiding is also an interesting challenge :-) The leader, George Read, is running in Calgary NW. As well I am supporting the campaign of Randy Weeks, who is the candidate for Calgary Bow. If you are thinking about voting green, find out more on:
www.albertagreens.ca
also, more about where to vote etc. on
www.elections.ab.ca
The Greens have a full platform that covers all relevant issues. They are environmentally sustainable, fiscally responsible AND socially progressive. Balanced and forward-thinking, I am so happy to find a party with such integrity that values grassroots involvement.
Whatever your party leanings are - don't vote blindly!! Do you know who your candidate is and what they stand for??
I'm going to be attending a candidate debate tomorrow & look forward to hearing the views from everyone (plus I have a few questions up my sleeve :-)
The provicial vote is on Monday, March 3rd....see you at the polls
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Frozen but happy
The Giralda - cathedral that reigns supreme like the mother of Sevilla....
I don't think I'll ever stay in a flat with a better view!! I'm not even using my zoom!
After a whirlwind trip to Spain, where I was inundated with classes and more classes, I am finally back in Calgary! Everything is soooo very quiet (not to mention white & a bit chilly). I went for a walk the other day and had a bit of culture shock - what, no hoards of people passing me by? no busker gathering crowds because he is sitting there without a "head"? no man with blackened hands and plumes of smoke roasting chestnuts at the end of the street?
I get great enjoyment out of my walks through Sevilla - normally though I madly race through town, navigating my way over the cobblestones, but I still notice everything as I pass by (especially beautiful billowing flamenco dresses in store windows). Sevilla suits me so well - it is full of surprises! One walk takes me past the Brazilian lady with her orange hair, who tells me the same story each time she sees me...then you might find that your street is blocked because a van tried to go through it - and is stuck between the houses - he can't fit! So on your detour you get lost and you find yourself in front of the Duchess of Alba's palace, that you didn't even know existed. That's life in Sevilla...everything a bit usual, more vibrant, colourful...
Did you know that the fall moon in Sevilla looks like a smiley face? I had no idea it could turn that way!! When I told them that never happens in Canada - they didn't believe me!
As far as classes go, I kept myself busy studying with Andres Marin, Manuel Betanzos, Isable Bayon and a few additional classes from Leonor Leal. When I wasn't at class, I was busy practicing or walking as fast as I could to the next class and then falling asleep exhausted at the end of the day. There wasn't time for much else during the week!
During the weekends, however, I had some adventures. I was staying in a gorgeous flat owned by Luis, my 'companero de piso' who is a designer, so he's decorated the flat with personality and flair. The terrace, apart from the spectacular view, was a perfect spot to have lunch...in fact I could have hung out there all day! Luis also has pyramids of books - so you can grab one and lounge on a cushion reading...
which I never did. But a good idea nevertheless!
I also decided to try-out my newfound talent (or attempt) in cooking, so invited over friends. In Spain, we spend a lot of time enjoying meals together. Often the plans are spontaneous and it is almost more fun that way! Here is a picture of our salmon lunch (I had help so it was yummier than usual!)
I saw less shows during this trip, but what I saw I was very worthwhile! The first weekend was WOMEX http://www.womex.com/
ww.womex.com/ a huge world music conference showcasing some of the top world music acts from all over the world. WOMEX kicked off with the best ;-) Duquende singing with Qawwali - a powerful, almost trance-like music from Pakistan that blew me away. Moreover, you could hear the roots of flamenco in the singing!
There were many more days of WOMEX, the pavilions were set up in Plaza de Espana itself and we went back and forth between tents, it was like being transported to Nigeria, Portugal, Mexico, Cambodia - all in one evening!
The other show I saw in Sevilla was "Turquesa como el limon" by Rocio Molina. It was a fantastic end to my trip. She is a phenomenal talent and left the audience shouting and on their feet. I can't explain the show and do it enough justice, so maybe just read more about her on online www.flamenco-world.com/artists/rocio_molina/molina19012006-1.htm
The flamenco world is abuzz with talk about Rocio Molina!!
So other than shows and classes, I spent a great deal of time focusing on preparing to perfom, which we did at Arrayan's "Noche del Flamenco Puro". Again, I had lots of excited tourists snapping shots to take back home and show pictures of their 'authentic spanis
h dancer'. :-) hee hee. The performance was lots of fun and the venue was packed (ah, WHEN will they ban smoking indoors? Well, at least it creates this theatrical haze...). But what I enjoyed most were the rehearsals in the studio, where we tried out lots of different remates and Juan and Shuki (pictured right) played and sung their hearts out....at that point you don't even have to dance, you just listen and wait and then come crashing in just at the right moment with all that inner power unleashed and blazing!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Tierra....it's over
Thanks to all of you who came out to see Tierra - after all the work & lead-up to the show we were thrilled that we had such a receptive audience to perform to! Thanks so much for bringing your friends & family, as I know many of you did. Thanks for filling up those seats - all the Ole's.... I love coming back to class & seeing your inspired faces. That's one of the reasons we bring flamencos into Calgary. Listening to cante on a CD is not quite the same thing! :-) Nothing like a live Martinete resounding throughout the theatre.
Several of you have asked what it was like having everyone here. Intense and wonderful. Over 2 weeks of dedicated immersion. Not only are you rehearsing and creating with the other artists but you are living with them in the same house, eating together, spending practically every moment together. It was one noisy place! Rehearsals downstairs and upstairs simultaneously. Guitar lessons on the outdoor deck. Ilse moved a dancefloor into the garage to practice there! Needless to say we invited our neighbours to the show after all of that :-)
Creating a full-length show in a few weeks was a lofty task, especially with the integration of the environmental themes. It was such a wonderful and artistically challenging process. This is why we do what we do - why we dedicate our lives to flamenco - give up so much - so that we can be here, gathering our talents and ideas, collaborating together, creating a show. Flamenco puro for the stage! To have your work enhanced by the musical and choreographic ideas of others, adding the lighting effects, the energy of the audience - it all creates a special magic that can't be replicated anywhere else.
Each show was completely different. Those of you who saw both nights know what I mean. For me it was a great learning experience, adapting to changes that happen onstage - pulling it all together. It wasn't quite as I expected it to be - but flamenco is full of surprises. Some moments on stage were so charged, and the way Vicente sang (so incredibly powerful) I almost didn't need to dance, he carried me with his voice. Some of our best moments were also backstage or in rehearsal, those spontaneous jamming moments. Ideas pop out and disappear so quickly that you can barely grasp them...your dance becomes a reaction to the creativity around you. I love that about flamenco. The cycle of energy and emotion, the support of jaleos and palmas - the feeling when everyone catches the remates....like we are all working on a purely 'flamenco' level of consciousness.
Those of you who saw the show, may have picked up on the vibe of the group. We felt like a flamenco family by the end of it...we spent a whole lot of time in fits of laughter...whether it was during rehearsal or afterwards watching flamenco clips or comedies. Ricardo and Vicente are born comedians themselves. I put them in the 2 rooms downstairs and almost nightly we would hear the sound of their laughter (deep belly laughs) coming up through the floorboards. That would get us laughing upstairs...soon there was this cycle of laughter on all floors! That's how many nights ended....
It is a beautiful opportunity to be able to get up, rehearse, eat and rehearse some more. I love the focus of the lifestyle and how the pieces get tighter and more cohesive every day. It is a rare occurrence to have so many international flamencos in Calgary for such a period of time! I am so happy that many of you were able to participate in the workshops, guitar classes, watching the rehearsals and attending the shows. We hope that your love for flamenco grew just a little bit more as did ours!
Please post your comments about the show on the blog. You can also post comments and a show rating on http://www.flamenco.ca/
Pictures are soon to follow....keep checking back!
Several of you have asked what it was like having everyone here. Intense and wonderful. Over 2 weeks of dedicated immersion. Not only are you rehearsing and creating with the other artists but you are living with them in the same house, eating together, spending practically every moment together. It was one noisy place! Rehearsals downstairs and upstairs simultaneously. Guitar lessons on the outdoor deck. Ilse moved a dancefloor into the garage to practice there! Needless to say we invited our neighbours to the show after all of that :-)
Creating a full-length show in a few weeks was a lofty task, especially with the integration of the environmental themes. It was such a wonderful and artistically challenging process. This is why we do what we do - why we dedicate our lives to flamenco - give up so much - so that we can be here, gathering our talents and ideas, collaborating together, creating a show. Flamenco puro for the stage! To have your work enhanced by the musical and choreographic ideas of others, adding the lighting effects, the energy of the audience - it all creates a special magic that can't be replicated anywhere else.
Each show was completely different. Those of you who saw both nights know what I mean. For me it was a great learning experience, adapting to changes that happen onstage - pulling it all together. It wasn't quite as I expected it to be - but flamenco is full of surprises. Some moments on stage were so charged, and the way Vicente sang (so incredibly powerful) I almost didn't need to dance, he carried me with his voice. Some of our best moments were also backstage or in rehearsal, those spontaneous jamming moments. Ideas pop out and disappear so quickly that you can barely grasp them...your dance becomes a reaction to the creativity around you. I love that about flamenco. The cycle of energy and emotion, the support of jaleos and palmas - the feeling when everyone catches the remates....like we are all working on a purely 'flamenco' level of consciousness.
Those of you who saw the show, may have picked up on the vibe of the group. We felt like a flamenco family by the end of it...we spent a whole lot of time in fits of laughter...whether it was during rehearsal or afterwards watching flamenco clips or comedies. Ricardo and Vicente are born comedians themselves. I put them in the 2 rooms downstairs and almost nightly we would hear the sound of their laughter (deep belly laughs) coming up through the floorboards. That would get us laughing upstairs...soon there was this cycle of laughter on all floors! That's how many nights ended....
It is a beautiful opportunity to be able to get up, rehearse, eat and rehearse some more. I love the focus of the lifestyle and how the pieces get tighter and more cohesive every day. It is a rare occurrence to have so many international flamencos in Calgary for such a period of time! I am so happy that many of you were able to participate in the workshops, guitar classes, watching the rehearsals and attending the shows. We hope that your love for flamenco grew just a little bit more as did ours!
Please post your comments about the show on the blog. You can also post comments and a show rating on http://www.flamenco.ca/
Pictures are soon to follow....keep checking back!
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Andres Marin
Just to follow up on class tonight where I talked about Andres Marin...
You can visit his website http://www.andresmarin.es/
And read an excellent interview on Flamenco World www.flamenco-world.com/artists/marin/entrevista.htm
He is an incredibly disctinctive dancer with a wealth of brilliant ideas. I greatly admire is approach to dance...which you will understand more about through reading the interview. Post your comments on the blog!!
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