A long weekend

It took few days to go back to earth after that. A long weekend flamenco with Miguel Angel. Two days of a workshops, a day after that watching again "David and Bat Sheva" - one of the co-productions of him with Compas Company. Although there was another dancer at the start who took the part of King David, but it's been for years that he's Miguel. So, I had two days of a workshop with Miguel, got a permission to take some photos at a rehearsal, I used this permission after first class (I didn't even got out from the studio between) and watching once again "David and "Bat Sheva".  Miguel still didn't go, works hard and got some time for a personal meeting me. Dias de Flamenco came out less than a week after the workshop, photography and watching again again the show with Miguel, and as far as I didn't know when would he will have time for me (already happened, but I won't write about it here. It has no connection) - for the first time and hopefully the last time since I started to learn flamenco - I'm missing the festival. It felt this time that it would be a little bit too much in too short time. And I can't without Miguel when he's here because of what do I see in him as a dancer, teacher and a friend. 

Workshop, day one

He got two days earlier to Israel, I still didn't see him for this time. Came to the medium level workshop with my flamenco dress, my flamenco shoes and my professional camera. It was near the end of the pro level workshop. I knew all the women who took it. Normally Miguel notice me even during classes when I get in silence. This time he didn't. OK, I won't disturb because of it. It was at my ordinary studio cause I'm learning from Mijal Natan who's always brings him to Israel for years. Got to the second floor (a kind of balcony for the inside) to put my things and change. Four girls has been there. A moment after, before I changed - the other girls has started to talk too loud. Mijal asked them to be silence because it's a studio. Miguel noticed me at this moment. He said "Orna, Orna". OK, when it's us - it makes me laugh, but... to answer now? Mijal said one more thing, and Miguel once once again "Orna. Orna". Fine, so I found myself saying "Miguel, Miguel". Mijal joined the party and asked me why do I make so much noise. Me? For the dramas! Mijal asked me "Why did I let you in?" "For the dramas, what else?".

At the very end of their class I made a video for one of the dancer who asked one more video. They wanted a group photo with Miguel. Hardly looked for someone to take the photo - I took the phone that has been given for that and took few. Miguel said something about my being a professional. Well... For me sometime it's easier to take some photos with my camera than with a phone. 

At the class that I took there were those noisy girls and a grown woman that I know through former workshops. I don't remember who else... We started the dance from the first moment. It was a Petenera. My first time with that palo although all my years at the flamenco. This time it was a little difficult for Miguel. Accept he was very tired from work and travels - he had a new way to put on the music. He wasn't used yet for the machine. Few times I was reprimanded for mistakes that I made and once for looking at him too much. Amazing how much it made me afraid of him at the very first workshop that I took of him, this time I didn't mind. Once or twice he offered me to dance alone. Well, no.... At the end making videos. I said that I'll do one tomorrow, but Miguel insisted that I'll do it like everyone else that I could remember at the day after. I got to the balcony to take my phone (still, a pro but videos aren't my strong side). Miguel was a little shock from the time it took. He danced for us and we took videos. 

For the end - another music for body and hands' work for relaxing. 

The class has ended for the day. I went to change again. The other girls went away, the dancers of Compas Company came. I took out my camera. For the start Miguel just posed me without dancing.

For a while there was a rehearsal for another show. When all dancers came - there was a spontaneous moment that they didn't think of. Miguel was sinning(!) a letra of buleria, Mijal danced. I bit wanted to join her dancing, but... My camera was already on me. I took few photos. If I only catch them both together through my lens... 

And a long rehearsal for "David and Bat Sheva".

Uri Kohen who used to dance at this show for years

and it looked he will stay forever - didn't take a part this time.

Yogev Zorea took his part instead of the part he had before.

A dancer who never took a part at any production of Mijal Natan

and her company joined this time to fill a hole. His name is

Yadin Miller. No, he has no family connection to Ilan who

dance at this production for a long time.
Here are few photos that I took at the rehearsal:

At the end they asked for a photo of

the men of "David and Bat Sheva".
Poor Guerau... The other Israeli men dancers

said that he looks bad in photos. He should

take off his shirt

Workshop, day two

Mijal wasn't there. Carmel, her sister who's also a pro dancer, was at the first day wasn't there. Someone who usually comes to all the workshops and takes both levels came for the pro level class only. I think that she wasn't there at the first day.

Repeating a lot of all we learned at the first day. This time less fixings, but were still some. May questions. And we finished the Petenera. A lot of work on a 3 minutes dance.

Taking videos. Miguel rushed me this time cause it took me some time to leave the phone after that.
Miguel said that now it will be a sone that Orna loves. I asked him which. He answered that a song that I love. So, it was the flamenco version that Pitingo made for "Killing me softly". OK, I love it. We made again just body and hands for relaxing.

The traditional photos after that:

The girls that I didn't know before said it's a weird studio. Maybe, but I think that they are much weirder. One said there are shows there, there is light for it. Another said it's impossible. I said that there tablaos at this studio. Oh really? I should have known. Not only it's the studio that I take also regular classes - I went so many times to see there tablaos and few times I took some photos at those shows.

I stayed the last one. Miguel locked the studio and we shared a taxi back,
me for my house, he's for the rented apartment  that he have this time. It's close.

David And Bat Sheva

Once again watching this show. Looks like I don't have enough of it. Every time it looks like a bit different. And all the weirdos that seats next to me... This time there was next to me a kid that I know through the studio with couple more girls. Tee girl that I know did something that fits me - checking out who does she knows at the crowed, mostly from the studio. Well, she recognized all people from the studio (were some) accept me.... But many were new people. Amazing that still after all these years not all watched it over and over again.

So it was fun. I'm not sure that I have something to write about how does it looks like cause I wrote about it here more than once.

After the show I got the backstage. I asked Miguel one more photo with him. I could have with Ilan as well, but he ran out when I asked for it. So one more photo with Miguel:

One more woman who knows the people, came to see the show again and got into the backstage asked me to call Ilan. After I found him and got him back - I could have a photo with him as well. Miguel and Ilan has started to laugh about it - we have the same photo in so many versions at so many times. Miguel also said "Orna es muy pequeña, Orna es muy pequeña".

Well, I'm not THAT small, they are very tall.

After that Miguel went out and I'm after him. I thought that I'm about to say good night and go back home. In the end I sat outdoors with Miguel and another man who was a dancer and talked until the others will be ready. Miguel invited me for beer. My respond: we don't have a photo like this one.... So now we have. Miguel offered we'll show which beer. We're a commercial for beer....

There was a noise of a thunder. Heavy rain. All the company went out. We stayed all together outside in a place where we couldn't get wet. Got home after the rain became a little less heavy