Just an average night in Madrid

During the first week or so I was in Madrid, I had the pleasure of attending a Flamenco show at Las Carboneras that was tucked off a passageway just off of Calle Mayor. I was captivated by the whole hour-or-so-long show. Three female flamenco dancers and one male took turns dancing solo, feet frantically tapping and slamming into the wooden stage below them. Shouts of ¡vale! (OK), ¡venga! (come on) ¡hola! (hello) ¡ole! (bravo) and ¡levante! (rise up) peppered the rhythm of the music and footfall. Two singers cried out as the dancers clapped in time. Flamenco guitars strummed slowly, then fast, then slow again and all of a sudden...just stopped.

Such an emotional whirlwind for such a passionate, emotional dance performance. It kept me on the edge of my seat and left me breathless.



Brief Flamenco History -- Although some say that the name "Flamenco" comes from the historic name for Belgians and Belgium (Flemish and Flanders, respectively), but its root also means 'gypsy' in Spanish. The latter makes more sense from a historical perspective. This dance form originated in Andalusia, but is known around the world as being from Spain, in general.

Oh! And I also had some great tapas before the show at a lovely little place called Taberna Miranda that is conveniently next door to Las Carboneras. There were pimientos del padron and setas con ajo do die for. I will return!