Selling My Dance Identity

It was the last straw. The final nail in the coffin. My breaking point.

Spread out before me on my bed were the last of the flamenco dancing wardrobe and hula dancing attire and instruments I owned. I was deciding what to sell next. 

I felt my essence fade as I sat in that pool of memories and sentimental attachment. Selling furniture and appliances had not pierced me like this.

Before I knew what was happening, panic and anxiety gushed out of me like a volcanic eruption. The feeling of loss was shockingly powerful.  All I saw in that moment was the specific show I wore my first custom-made flamenco dress in, or my Kentucky friends and mentors I danced and learned alongside, or the sketches of the dresses I helped design, or the bright tropical hula dress I danced in with my twin sister, or the Hawaiian instruments I was still learning to play. 

In these items, my creativity and self-expression happily dwelled. Each and every glorious belonging was a tangible measurement of the phases and influences of my flamenco and hula journey.

The weight of the past nine months sat heavily on me; they had been the most challenging and trying of my life. Failed job searches, drastically reduced income, no retirement money (yet), living completely alone for the first time in my life (unreal!), several serious family health scares, and unable to go to my savior of in-person flamenco classes. The mental and physical release I had spent months carefully guarding found its moment. Right there, on my bed, in a sea my spirit was drowning in.

I was selling my dance identity.

Because life and reality don’t care.

Because rent, bills, and an empty fridge are non-negotiable. 

I stepped away from my bedroom and allowed myself time to grieve. These moments of despair had been building up and screamed at me for release. I had a long and gut wrenching cry. To be honest, it took several hours to combat the panic attack/grieving/feeling worthless until I could think clearly again. 

Sometimes, I think, our hearts have to crack a little before we can process it and move on. I gave myself that space. 

It’s painful to relinquish identity pieces that were so central to my self-concept, but clearer thoughts began to emerge through the tiny fractures of my heart. 

I reminded myself that my clothes, shoes, and accessories do not define my dancing. Only I can do that. My dance identity is much more layered than what I adorn my body with.

I reminded myself why I love flamenco and hula so much and what they give me back.

I reminded myself the puro gypsies didn’t have OR need fancy clothes or shoes to be frickin’ awesome! 

I reminded myself the pull is in the emotions, the words, the music, the story.

I reminded myself that I will keep the memories of sharing the deeply rich art forms of flamenco and hula with dear friends and family in my heart forever. They are not for sale.

Once I finally collected myself, I proceeded with the task at hand, pushing through it. I had to. Rent was due soon. 

Me, Myself, and I

I am, by nature, a very organized person. So, much so that I actually still use a hard-copy wall calendar to capture all the activities of the house and its occupants. So much so, that I probably own shares in Post-It notes. Lists are second nature to me and I craft them for everything. My desk at work, my refrigerator, and the notebook I keep in my purse are fine specimens of this.

I have often wondered why I am prone to such methodical planning. Maybe it was growing up in an unorganized home, or having a parent that is just this side of a hoarder. You will understand, then, how I was as surprised with myself as anyone when my first trip abroad many years ago witnessed a throw-caution-to-the-wind, make-it-up-as-you-go kind of regime.

Once I am in the environment of another country or culture, I melt into a mode of abandon. I do not need a schedule or to have planned out what I am doing at every moment. I am totally fine with figuring it out along the way. My first trip out of the country was to Rome, Italy. It rained a lot and we had no plan. We sat, instead, at a little cafe, sipping coffee, people watching, until the downpour passed. This was not the laissez-faire mentality I exhibited at home!

There is something about just flowing, getting “lost,” and experiencing spontaneous moments that make me feel part of a place. In Sevilla, Spain, after flamenco classes in Triana, I would walk back to the Airbnb slowly, passing through the mercado, buying flowers, tasting samples of jamon, sitting with a cafe con leche y churros. No rush. No hurry. Just absorption. Just me and the world around me fusing together as if I were a local. It was an unexpected quality the first time, now it is part of my travel self.

I write about my travels in a similar context; free abandon, feeling each moment as if it were the first time, seeing and experiencing what the locals do, and not feeling the need to succumb to tourist headspace. The last time I was in Sevilla, I sat on the Guadalquiver River for hours with my notebook, taking in all the movement and lives being played out around me. Then I wrote about it.

It is such a marvelous thing to be so different when I travel. I highly recommend it!

paseo de arte

I’m not afraid to say, my mental health demanded the trip I made to Spain in September 2022. Not a life-or-death need, but a deeply restorative need.

An abundance of change, loss, and stress have crept into my life since my last trip in 2019. I have made the best of it, appreciating the good moments and letting those carry me. But I yearned for something to jumpstart my soul. I needed Spain!

My time finally came and off to Andalucía I went! It took me a year to save money for this, but I’ll never regret the sacrifices to my budget. For once in my life, I was throwing logic and reason aside and just making it happen. For me.

First, though, I must share a strange thing that happened the night before I was to depart. Amongst the expected rituals that come with taking a long trip like packing, cleaning, checking and double-checking my lists, I was suddenly overcome with fear. I found myself in an abyss of being afraid of everything about the trip. Would I handle the long flight with my bothersome knee? Would I be able to maintain six days of three-hour-a-day flamenco classes after not having that kind or regimen in a long time? After taking online classes with Miguel Vargas for two years, would I live up to his expectations or would I disappoint him? Would I get to see mi hermana Carmen Ledesma, despite her busy schedule? Did I have enough money? Would I encounter difficulties being only a conversational Spanish speaker? Add to that a high level of anxiety regarding recent dental issues and how it would affect my appearance. I became afraid of everything. Inexplicably so. I knew these were irrational fears and could only think maybe the fear came from a place of knowing how different I was going into this journey. How different my life has been.

I decided to reach out to a flamenco friend who helped talk me through my nerves. She reminded me of the importance of this trip – for myself now and for my future self. She reminded me how I was a more self-aware person going into this adventure. She calmed my nerves and asked that I think about what I really wanted out of this trip.

Hmmm…what I wanted? I wanted to share, laugh, love, bond, explore…and DANCE! I wanted to see things with new eyes. I wanted to connect with my inner self. I wanted to be in the moment. I wanted to dance in the streets (which I did!!!!). I wanted to become part of Sevilla.

I received all I hoped for and more in such abundance, it was nearly overwhelming. The week I spent with “Explore Sevilla with Miguel Vargas” was so magical. 11 students from all over the world, plus Miguel and Javi, spent seven days living together in a beautiful traditional Spanish finca, where we were able to bond in only a way you can when you are living with others. We sweat together in the dance studio, we broke bread, we stayed up late chatting, we shared bedrooms and bathrooms, and we shared our life stories. We walked around the city as one entity, learning Sevillian history and culture. The nights were filled with La Bienal shows, massages, wine, great food, and private performances at the finca by Miguel, his sons, Miguelito and David, Javi, Juan (guitarist) and a young, female singer friend.

Miguel is such a devoted, patient, knowledgeable maestro. His love for flamenco pours from every word he speaks and every gesture he makes. It is truly contagious! His classes were serious in what he wanted us to emit but fun in how enthusiastically he taught. I just love him and Javi so much! Such good souls. You cannot help but walk away from an experience like my week with them with anything less than pure energy.

This was a new way to experience Sevilla and I loved every jubilant moment. Honestly, I didn’t realize how much I needed this. My flamenco deepened with each fulfilling day. I also connected with my inner self in an unexpected way. My confidence grew, my self-love expanded, as well as my awareness for my own happiness. I have dearly missed being truly happy.

Following my week with Miguel, I spent four days on my own in Triana, which was also very enriching in different ways.

Mi hermana, Carmen Ledesma, Myriam Vaquero, Jose Mendez, and the rest of Carmen’s vast circle of dancers, friends, musicians, singers, and family spent a lot of time with me over those four days. I sat in Carmen’s home for hours while we talked, enjoyed food, celebrated her birthday, and laughed with her family.

They took me out to a different tablao show every night, too! Full immersion, baby! I met flamenco artists who I have followed on social media for years and met many new artists. I was thrown head-first into life as a local flamenco. I was so overcome at the end of each night with what I had just been a part of, only to do it again the next. I am forever grateful and thrilled that Carmen brought me in to her life for a few days. We do not speak the same language and are not related by blood, but these amazing souls wrapped me in a warm hug and held me tight. Carmen and I have always connected on a deeper, more spiritual level, and we are family!

In between the adventures with Carmen, I leisurely strolled around, stopping here and there to sit and people-watch, enjoying Cruz Campo and tapas, writing in my journal, or pressing my nose to the window of a shop closed for siesta. Absorbing my time in this space was very important to me. Hopefully, also leaving a little bit of myself there. I know for certain some of Sevilla came home with me.

My two-week walk with arte in Sevilla and Triana undeniably filled me with the nutrients I was starving for. I felt restored and re-energized beyond my imagination. I felt free of all the negativity in my life. I felt free to unapologetically be me! I felt like I was home.

Muchas gracias a todos!

Faith & Flamenco

“Anything can become a spiritual practice once you are willing to approach it that way – once you let it bring you to your knees and show you what is real, including who you really are, who other people are, and how near God can be when you have lost your way.” (Barbara Brown, An Altar in the World).

These words shook me to my core when I first read them. It was purely accidental but fateful that I did.

I had never before considered how faith and flamenco are intertwined, outside of cultural origins. Most serious students of the art form know that religion plays a part in flamenco music and lifestyle – the cultural mosaic of the Spanish lands, the ceremonial-like rituals, the traditions and connection to something greater than yourself. But I had not thought to contemplate the impact from on my individual beliefs.

I did some soul-searching. I dug deep to digest what those words meant for my flamenco energy and how that nested with my faith. I won’t lie, the last few years have…well…kinda sucked. Failure, loss, sickness, heartbreak, and doubt had not left my side. The rabbit hole loomed. I tried to keep up a brave front because that is what I do. Always. No matter what. I used all the strength I could muster to command the tumultuous events far away, but they persisted – for me and those I love. I tried so hard to remain positive and upbeat, even though my well was running dry. Thankfully, there were enough moments of gratitude to keep me floating along. I had, indeed, lost my way.

This post is not about the crap life threw at me, however. This post is about where, and how, I found restoration.

As I explored how my walk with God was tied to my flamenco journey, I realized, I had been brought to my proverbial knees. I had been withholding myself. I had been afraid to immerse myself the way I used to. I’d been through tough times before, however, these years of feeling lost took a huge toll on me…and I withdrew. Not completely but enough. I would still participate in online flamenco classes and would still read and research. I, in no way, mean to diminish the savior that was for me. It kept my toes from sinking deeper. But I was holding back some of my mental self. I can see that now. I was only partially present on this Earth. The rest of me was lingering in an in-limbo state that felt endless.

I needed to get back in the game. And I needed to do it now. I prayed like never before for guidance and fortitude. I started to dance, in the confines of my home, freely, for my soul, for my resurrection, where there were no eyes but my own closed ones. I could feel the embers of a muffled fire begging for release as I moved. I cried as emotion lept from my body.

You see, all the while, there was one thing waiting for me. One thing I was in control of. One thing that reached out for me when my toes were dangling just above that rabbit hole. Flamenco. It heals. It forgives. It loves.

What I discovered is that I had not lost my faith, I had lost faith in myself. My God had put me through the wringer, yes, but he also walked with me until I was out of it. He held my hand as I let it all go, and He reassured me I would be ok. He reminded me of His love at the same time He reminded me I cannot…CANNOT…do flamenco half-assed.

I threw caution to the wind and hopped on a plane bound for California for a weekend workshop! A feeling of comfort and peace washed over me as I connected with other passionate flamencas and danced really hard for three days, Words cannot express how much my heart needed that. I’m also participating in more local flamenco opportunities and am planning a trip to Sevilla in September.

A friend put it this way to me, “You make the world a better place when you are transparent in your art. Something gets healed. Something clicks into balance. Not just for yourself, but for the entirety of the collective ‘us’.”

Delving into what my faith means to me in terms of flamenco unchained me and took me back to the roots of why I love this art form. Once again, flamenco provided a voiceless angel and made me stronger. I have faith in my path and in myself and I know He will continue to remind me of His presence in my life.

It is magical to encounter God through my dance.

An Open Letter To My Flamenco Friends

The pandemic is still here. No matter how greatly, it still dictates and restricts many things. But, for me, one thing has been enriched by it…my circle of flamenco friends! I’ve always had a wonderful group of warm, loving people but, in these times, the online forum has broadened that spectrum ten-fold. In trying to express how much you all mean to me; I’ve decided to write you an open letter.

To My Flamenco Compañeros,

It’s been a hard time for us all, hasn’t it? In addition to the normal bumps in the road of life, we’ve had to change the way we socialize, keep in touch, communicate, who we socialize with, and where we can go to do that. It has definitely been a time where friends are more important than ever. Going that extra step to remain in contact with people you used to see all the time has become vital for our sanity! One of my dearest friends from back in Kentucky sends through snail-mail the most beloved hand-written notes! I reciprocate. It is so lovely!

Something else has happened. At least for me. The world wide web has gone from a fun pastime to a link with the outside world. It has become a whole new kind of social circle. And in that space, a whole new community of flamenco friends has opened up for me. We were bound to connect, because of our shared passion, but it has gone beyond that.

I have met the most amazing people during on-again/off-again restricted flamenco access. Dancing via Zoom, in our basements, kitchens, living rooms, even in the nature of our back yards; sharing details of our lives over FaceTime, or Facebook Messenger ~ with people we’ve never met in person. It’s a bit strange to think of it that way, but it has become a way to bond.

I have found welcoming, spirited souls in all of you! We come from different backgrounds, geographical locations, ways of life, and at various points on our flamenco path. It feels odd to connect so heavily over the internet, but it has been fabulous. We all needed it! We encourage, push, offer advice, share, cry, laugh, and have compassion for each other. Most of all, we inspire and rise up!

What a wonderful gift out of such a tragic and hopeless time! I know we will meet one day soon. Our hearts already have. I am so happy to have you as a new part of my flamenco journey.

Thank you for being with me ~ where I was, where I am, and where I’m headed.

Your Home Is Flamenco

I love the camaraderie of flamenco class… laughing, sweating and working hard with people who share my passion. I didn’t fully grasp how much it meant to me before losing it.

During COVID and a move to a new state, I have remained immersed in flamenco through online classes and Facebook groups. I have made many new friends from all over the world that share my obsession and it has been terrific. But boy, do I miss the human contact!

The world is trying to get back to normal amid a pandemic that has lasted for over a year but restrictions remain. A few months ago, I was invited to join a Sevillanas Flash Mob in my new Texas city and naturally, I jumped at the chance. I hadn’t danced outside my casa in so long and I was so excited to, once again, share this amazing art form with the public.

It was from posting about this event on social media I was told something that really hit home and stuck with me. My dear friend, Mary Coomer, from my studio back in Louisville, Kentucky, told me, “Your home is flamenco.”

Yes! Yes! Yes! Flamenco is not only a place, city, or specific studio. Having a space to gather, while certainly very important for capturing the essence of a tight-knit group and in-person learning, is not the lone element flamenco offers. It is in your heart, in your soul, in your mindset, in your way of life, and in your love of the art.

My home is flamenco. Flamenco is my home. My friend, Mary, is right. “Home,” no matter how spiritual or literal, is where you feel a sense of belonging, where you feel safe, where you thrive and feel peaceful. However I am able to have it in my life, whoever shares that time and space with me, whenever I need a warm hug, flamenco is my answer. It stays with me no matter where I am and wraps me in a soft, cozy blanket.

Mary’s words made me feel not so out of touch anymore. She reminded me how much flamenco flows through my veins and that “home” is wherever flamenco takes me.

Thank you, Mary.

Flamenco in Times of Corona

COVID-19, coronavirus, pandemic – it has several names. But one thing is consistent, it has all but stopped life as we know it.

Those in the arts industry; teachers, studios, and students, alike, have felt the loss deeply when the very thing that feeds our souls is all but yanked out from under us. I remember thinking, at first, this will last only a few months, but, here we are, still on the COVID ride almost a year later.

It forced me to realign. A lot. In the midst of teleworking for several months, then relocating to a new state for a new job, and trying to adjust to new surroundings, I could have easily let flamenco fall by the wayside. I couldn’t, though. I needed the one thing I can always count on to balance me to still me present in my life. I needed a way to express myself, despite everything. I needed the happiness and sense of completion flamenco gives me to remain.

Like me, the pandemic has forced all of us to figure out new and unique ways to learn, practice, and share our art. It has forced us to gather in parks, parking lots, back yards, and other roomy spaces where 6 feet could be between us. It has forced those who make a living teaching dance, and those of us not willing to stop learning, to find a viable outlet. So, online, we went.

All I can say is, thank God for the oasis that is the world-wide web and all the flamenco offerings that have arisen from the ashes of the pandemic! As we sunk deeper into the COVID abyss, more and more online flamenco classes popped up, and I, for one, am very grateful. It has enabled me to collaborate and reconnect with my Flamenco Louisville family, take classes from flamenco greats I would not ordinarily have the chance to, learn new choreography and technique, listen to lectures, history, and theory of flamenco, and continue friendships as well as gain new flamenco friends from around the world.

Don’t get me wrong. Nothing is the same as in-person gatherings. The hugs and smiles, the quirky outtakes, the up-close adoration of a fellow dancers new shoes or skirt, the live music, the determined faces, the conversations, the better view of footwork…those things are not the same online. Honestly, a sense of being unfulfilled lingers, probably because flamenco is such a personal and intimate art form. That said, the things that drive us to flamenco – the passion, yearning and dedication – is still very present in the online world. I will take it however I can get it.

In the beginning, I was one of those parking lot dancers with my group from Flamenco Louisville. In addition, various members of the studio offered online “Front Porch” flamenco challenges, footwork challenges, and Zoom classes. It was a lifesaver as transitioning to being away from one another proved very challenging! In the months that followed, I also participated in online challenges and choreography construction lessons from Rina Orellana out of California. Rina is so energetic and patient, I couldn’t help but enjoy it. Casa Flamenca in Albuquerque, NM hosted several classes I took, including David Lagos (cante) and Antonio Moya and Mari Peña (guitar and cante) so I could learn more about understanding the palos and listening to the singer. I took a Romance class from Carmen Ledesma, my flamenco sister at heart. I found a great course with Manuel Betanzos, called “Maestros Flamenco,” and took a few lively and informative courses in Tangos de Triana. Juan Parades gave a great bulería por fiesta class that I took and a friend told me about a stirring lecture on flamenco history from Meira Goldberg, “La Meira Flamenco,” that I sat in on. Right before my move to Texas last summer, I started taking online classes from someone I’ve always admired and wanted to learn from; Miguel Vargas. Miguel is such a talented dancer and I have now learned what a great teacher and personality he is, as well. In these seven or so months, I have participated in Tangos de Triana, Bulería, Cantiñas de Pinini, Tientos, and Soleá classes with him. Miguel enhances his dance lessons with a weekly flamenco theory course where we discuss history and origins of the particular palo we are studying at the time. Another fun thing about these online classes is being able to virtually travel to Andalusia with these teachers!

Needless to say, my flamenco cup runneth over! While taking classes online requires a different kind of motivation and dedication, it has been fabulous to learn from so many different artists, all of whom add to my “tool belt” of knowledge and perspective. All of whom add to the voice I embody when I dance. All of whom I am grateful to for offering me their wisdom.

Yes, it has been hard to find good things in the world with all the discourse we live in. But, it can be found. You just have to appreciate the simple things and keep your passion alive however you can!

Keep dancing! We will get through this together!

Flamenco Louisville https://www.flamencolouisville.org

Rina Orellana https://onlineflamencostudio.com

Carmen Ledesma https://www.facebook.com/carmenledesmaoficial

Casa Flamenco https://casaflamenca.org

Maestros Flamenco https://maestrosflamenco.com

Juan Parades http://www.territoriosoniquetero.com

Meira Goldberg “La Meira” https://www.facebook.com/lameiraflamenco

Miguel Vargas http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?=100005100739284 or https://instagram.com/miguelvargas_oficial

flamenco masks from Flamenco Closet Creations http://www.everythingflamenco.com

Sacrifices of a Flamenca

Sacrifice is synonymous with being deeply involved in an art form, in my case, flamenco dancing. Some offerings to the flamenco Gods are big. Some small. No matter how much we love it, there will eventually be bumps in the road that may have us contemplating just why we do this.

I wager a bet that most flamenco dancers are like me; when it gets tough, we want to dance even more! Each time something negative has been on my path, I just want to stomp on it with the full force of my nailed shoes and keep going. It is precisely THAT kind  energy that fuels my flamenco fire.

With this  mentality in mind, some bumps are just part and parcel of being a committed dancer. We accept it. We prepare for it the best we can. And we keep on keepin’ on. Some fallout from pursuing my passion for flamenco is expected, is worth it, and is ok.
Lack of personal time– I go to class several times a week and practice, practice, practice. I practice at home, engage with online tutorials and communities, as well as listen to music and watch videos constantly. I’ve rushed to class straight from work, given up Saturday mornings or afternoons with my family, been in class until late at night, eating when I can, or even passed up other events or outings because of a class or show. Free time easily becomes “dance time.” It is necessary for this art form, to learn all you can and hone your skills at every opportunity. The learning never ends, which also means your studies often come before “me time.” It is a delicate balance, to be sure, finding time for yourself when you work full-time, manage a household, have children, plus adding in a demanding hobby like dancing. I’m here to tell you, it can be done. It takes effort but it is super important to carve out some self-care and down time for yourself. It will re-energize you and allow you to give more to your dance. It took me a few years to figure this out.

Financial burden– Becoming a performing dancer requires more than just skill, technique, and passion. It also requires costuming, shoes, and accessories. A myriad of them. The art form of flamenco comes with handcrafted shoes to keep your tootsies safe from injury, custom-made dresses, skirts, and blouses, hair adornments to match, jewelry, mantons, fans, castanets, and the list goes on. None of this is cheap. But having beautiful costumes to shake your tail feathers in is part of the flamenco deal. I have to budget carefully in order to get one nice thing a year. This doesn’t include additional costs like attending class, special workshops, and any travel-related expenses to dance or take workshops out of town. The money can rack up fast! And, it’s continual…you will always need to add to your wardrobe, so the financial aspect is never ending. You need a wide open wallet.

Overuse of your body– We are artists, yes, but we are also athletes. As such, we are working our bodies hard and sweating like crazy each class, workshop, or performance. Do this two to three times a week and it can take a physical toll. You can stretch and use proper technique all day, but, sometimes, the body just says, “no.” We’ve coined a term at my studio called, “flamenco ass.” Yep, you dancers know what I’m talking about! That lower back pain that aches like you’ve had an elephant sitting on your butt. Your arms, feet, and legs, will also be sore at given point in time. It is expected with all the physical exertion flamenco dancing brings. Let’s add here, too, the simple cuts, scratches, and bruises left from fans and castanets! Avoiding injury is certainly possible, with proper self-care and technique. Alas, some of us are older and it happens anyway. Listen to your body and don’t push TOO hard.

There are more, like sacrificing time with family or  in relationships, the mental roller coaster of learning to be confident in your dance, pandemics that keep you away from class and society so you must pull from your will to stay in the game, and the constant need to be dancing, everything else be damned! 🙂 Well, these are true for me, anyway.  🙂

All of these “sacrifices” are made acceptable and manageable because of how much I love being a flamenca, being a part of a beautiful community, the bonds made with fellow artists, the fun of it, and how much it permeates my soul. All worth it! Your artistry does not have to sacrifice!

A Look Back at 2019- My Break-Out Year!

I was a butterfly, finally released from her cocoon, free to wander the world in search of adventure. That is what 2019 felt like for me. After nearly two years of on-again, off-again dancing due to injuries, surgeries, and recoveries, 2019 was my break-out year! It was filled with lots of soul-enriching and fun dancing, traveling, and writing.

2019 started off in Spain, going to the Jerez Flamenco Festival in February. It was not only my first time there but also my first trip totally on my own. I will definitely be doing more of that! It was so nourishing and empowering!

You can read more about my trip to Jerez here:

The flamenco camino less traveled

Mi hermana and beloved maestra, Carmen Ledesma, came back to Louisville during the summer to teach a workshop. Chayito Champion accompanied her as cantaora and it was wonderful to add a new flamenco spirit to the family. It is always such a heartfelt joy to be in Carmen’s presence but it also invigorates my flamenco passion to learn from her. She is truly a blessing on my flamenco journey.

I was fortunate enough to write and have four articles published in International Living, which is a dream come true. Travel writing full time is a long-term goal and I enjoy it so much, so it was amazing to reach this initial achievement. I am active in pitching story ideas to travel-related resources, so hopefully, 2020 will see more of my work published! You can read my articles at the links below.

Roman Holiday: Staying in a Converted Roman Monastery

Popular Food and Eating on a Budget in Spain

https://internationalliving.com/things-to-do-in-cadiz-spain

Discovering Seville by Getting Lost in Adventure

I expanded my flamenco journey in the fall by traveling to Los Angeles to take a weekend workshop with Rina Orellana. This was the first time I had taken classes from anyone outside my home studio or Spain. It was a remarkable experience and I made lifelong friends. I’m so glad I stepped outside that box! Read more about this fabulous trip at https://fleurdeflamenco.wordpress.com/2019/12/15/a-flamenca-weekend-get-away

Not only did my flamenco expand, but so did my hula dancing. I started learning under Kumu (hula teacher) Tina Eggert out of Chicago and became part of a local halau (hula school). We have workshops and practice regularly and it has allowed me more performance opportunities, as well. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning new hulas under a very sweet and skilled Kumu. As with flamenco, I love sharing my passion and cultural traditions with the local community!

In fact, I performed in 11 community shows this year with Flamenco Louisville and in four hula shows. You don’t know how much I love being able to say that!

I snuck some non-flamenco traveling in there, too. In addition to going to Jerez and Los Angeles in 2019, I also made visits to North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Florida, for special occasions and to see family.

One last flamenco event for the year had me on a plane, again. This time to see Farruquito in San Antonio, TX! I have never traveled out of town for “only” a show! But more of that is on the agenda, for sure! It was a spectacular show and taking my youngest daughter and abuela made me so happy!

I still had upsets in my life this year, to be sure. It wasn’t all unicorns and rainbows. Each time negativity struck, I mixed it up into a fat, juicy albondiga and devoured it. Each time I stepped away from my over-thinking or analytical self, it was a huge success. I stopped giving decision-making so much power and just said, “Heck with it, I’m doing this.”  Plenty of happy surprises, memorable moments, and a stronger sense of self were the result. I am liking this side of myself very much! 🙂

A flamenca weekend get-away

Living the life of a flamenca, opportunities are all around to travel and immerse yourself in studying this art form. That’s exactly what I did when I boarded a plane in the wee hours of a still October morning. I was headed to Los Angeles for a weekend get-away to attend Rina Orellana’s inaugural  flamenco workshop for her online membership students!

For me, gathering knowledge from different teachers is vastly important in becoming a fully developed flamenco dancer. It’s how you are able to manifest all the teachings into your own personal style and voice. It’s how you grow as  dancer. Everyone who touches your flamenco path leaves behind a little bit of fairy dust for you to gather up on your journey. This weekend in Los Angeles was no exception!

So, what do you teach to a group of flamencos from all over the globe and at different stages of their journey? Por fiesta, of course! Perfect choice because no matter how many years you have been dancing, you can always build on this element. I picked up some cool new moves to add to my toolbelt!  The three-day workshop consisted of learning tangos and bulerías por fiesta, accompanied by a guitarist, Kai Narezo, two of the days and a cantaora, Reyes Barrios, on the third day. They are both highly talented, patient, and fun and it was an exciting element to add to our weekend workshop. Nothing beats dancing to live musicians!

The first day of the workshop was a mixture of introducing us to what we would be learning overall, diving into the tangos portion, and a lovely meet-and-greet tapas reception afterwards. This was such a nice touch because we were able to get to know one another in-person versus in the online group as we had done for months.

Day two’s workshop held three hours jam packed with tangos and bulerías sassiness and fun. It is exciting for me, not only to experience Rina, but also other students. Everyone brings something so different to the table and I love witnessing that! So much thirst for dancing!

That afternoon, Rina scheduled private shopping time at Flamenco West, a quaint but totally awesome flamenco shop in Playa del Rey. Five of us hopped in my rental car and drove to the beach for some flamenco browsing. The owner, John Silva, was on hand to assist us personally and we owe him a lot of thanks for dealing so pleasantly with all of us flamenco crazed ladies invading his store. Some bought shoes, some bought clothes and I walked away with a gorgeous and perfectly fitting red skirt. To top it off, a few of us went to the beach afterwards and ended up dancing in the water! It doesn’t get any better than that!

That night was another wonderful addition to the weekend festivities. I had a front-row seat to a marvelous show Rina put on, open to all workshop attendees as well as the local community.  She was joined by the guitarist and cantaora from our workshop, a cajón player, and a local bailaora, Vanessa Albalos.  Wow, is all I can say! It was a special treat to see Rina “in action” and what a soulful, sassy dancer she is ! And Vanessa just blew me away! The aire in the room was palpable. It was truly an amazing performance by all and an amazing night of flamenco camaraderie.

The third and final workshop day included finishing up our bulerías instruction, reviewing both palos on last time, and a fun fin de fiesta! Having both the guitarist and cantaora here this day made it extra special. Three hours has never gone so fast. It was a bittersweet day, for sure, because I really felt connected here and, honestly, it took me by surprise how hard it was to say good-bye.

Rina is such a gift to flamenco. It is hard to find such generous and patient teachers. She exudes so much energy, you are bound to absorb some of it. What a fantastic person and breathtaking dancer! And don’t get me started about all the wonderful flamencos I met that weekend. They came from near and far (as far as the UK and Canada!) to share their passion for flamenco with like-minded souls. Everyone came from different learning environments, from different levels of experience, to converge in sunny LA for a glorious weekend, all for the love of flamenco. Bonds were made, friendships forged, and inspiration shared. We met for brunches before the workshops, shared life stories, and laughed together. My circle of lifelong flamenco friends has happily grown.

To say weekend re-energized me is an understatement. Sometimes, life gets in the way of your passion, no matter how hard you try for it not to. This was the kick in the butt I needed to re-fuel my flamenco engine. Rina, nor the flamencos in attendance, were ever just going through the motions. The genuine desire to share flamenco, was alive and well that weekend!!

Muchas gracias Rina Orellana!!