Countdown to flamenco madness!
Or maybe I’ve already gone off the gypsy deep end. I told you about my latest what-the-hell-am-I-thinking ambition of learning flamenco guitar (read about it here), but my journey in June gets even better this Saturday when I head off to New Mexico for the Festival Flamenco Internacional de Albuquerque! That’s right, friends, seven full days of workshops, shows and meeting other crazy flamencophiles from around the country (the world, actually!). I’m so excited!
Here’s why I think I’ve lost my mind: I’m currently enrolled in four workshops. First, technique. Then, castanets. Followed by bata de cola. And rounding things up with cante — wha??!
“Cante!?” you ask? YES! I love it and I think flamenco singers are some of the best singers around. It takes so much passion, rhythm, control. I’ll never be a flamenco singer, but I’m dying to learn a letra or two for fun and to help me be a better dancer. This might be the class I’m looking forward to most because it’s so out of my element. Add to that the fact that I don’t speak Spanish. So while this will be a great learning experience for me, I might end up bringing a bit of unintentional comedy to the classroom. Fellow workshoppers, beware.
Oh, and while four workshops should be plenty for anyone, I’ve been in touch with the institute this morning trying to add one more. DONE. LOST. MY. MIND.
I can’t help it. I want to make the most of my trip, even if that means emptying my purse (or bra, in my case) and pushing myself to exhaustion during my stay. Hey, at least I’ll come home skinny.
I’ll be providing daily updates here beginning Saturday, so I hope you’ll stop by to hear about my adventures. I can’t wait to share with you!
Married to the Dance 