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I zambomba flamenca

La Piconera at La Caja Negra

After watching Flamenco Toolbox (El Baúl de los Flamencos)

Finally find the time to write about it. Still not enough. Later on I will need to finish my stories from the festival. I had a crazy day. Once again a night before one more crazy day. And so many parts, no program of the show alone - only about all the festival. So this time I won't tell about each part of the show like I normally do. More about the experience and my thoughts about this show. 

The main show at Días de flamenco 2015 was Flamenco Toolbox. It's a show of Concha Jareño - because of it she gave the workshop at the festival this year. Of course she wasn't alone on stage. Not even the only dancer on stage. It was possible to see a lot of talent on the same stage.
The over artists at this show are:
Adrián Santana (dance)
Ana Salazar (dance and sing)
El Tomate (guitar)
David el Galli and Manuel Gago (sing)
Luis Amador (percussion)

The show has started by seeing with a little light Concha and Adrián. Ana gets in stage with a chair. She just put aside the chair. Move a bit the legs of Concha and Adrián. After a moment - Concha and Adrián has started dancing and play castanets. Ana joined them after while - for a start danced with them, after that she was sinning as well. One moment Adrián was at the front and made the hardest part of dancing. Ana has opened a string that was closed over Conchas's dress. Didn't take too long till she was making a connection between Concha and Adrián with this string. After that she let the out of it. And took it off from the dress. At the night before I was closing this string over the dress not much before Concha came to stage for the first time. Now I know what was the use of this string and how did Concha got back to change without having this string on her.

First time that I can remember it happen to me... Although the start gave a big promise and I loved watching it - I started worry. Who really replace me backstage with dressing Concha? Did she have a good start? Would do her job well till end of the show?

The musicians came in stage after this magical part. Ana joined them, but not for all show. A part with hats.... Concha got out after a while to change. I was worried if the dresser this night will do her job as needed. Adrián had his solo. A martinete. Luis played some kind of bells... Still use at castanets. 

Later on... It took me something like a half show to relax about my replacement. Well, maybe I was still worry a bit. Now it was more to think if I was better than me replacement. Didn't disturb me to enjoy the show itself. It didn't disturb me while while worrying about the other dresser to look well about the dresses. I need to remember the order. I will be back to this job at the next night. I need to do my job on the best part. 

All looked so well. All the people on stage have a big talent for what they do. Most was flamenco "puro", but were something like two parts of Clasico Español. One part like this (Clasico Español) included a recorded music, never mind the musicians are amazing. I do think it is one of the best shows I saw lately. The talent wasn't enough to make it so. Two more things made it this way - it was unique (a lot of imagination included) and a lot of humor. One of parts which I think that gives the humor show up was a part which starts with Ana Salazar gets in stage. Behind her a table which was thee all the time, but I didn't notice that it has been moved to lay down on two "legs" in a way it looked tall. Ana dressed up like a matador. She made a show up with sward of matadors. All with a "poker face". The sward came back to the cloak. The poker face changed for a moment for a fake smile for one moment. Not only me. Some others has laughed as well. Not long. Adrián was dancing "a bull". Each singer was singer was sinning a bit by being the matador in this moment. All made in a crazy way. And Concha? Got back to stage. It was possible to see her over the table, shoulders and up. Black dress, a black veil over her head which fits Spanish women from 16 century over her head, a fan at her hand and she was smiling. It was really funny although it finished bad for Adrián the "bull". 

And there was a jacket that Adrián asked me to hang up a night before. Now I saw it cause. Ana was pulling it on him while she had on her a dress and manton. She was talking to him. Asked him to sit. She was dancing and sinning alone a full part in a way it could be for Adrián. The jacket has been removed from Adrián at the moment it finished. Ana went to change to the black pants suit she was wearing most of show. 

Shortly:
A lot of talent, a lot of imagination, a lot of humor. A very unique show. Although my worries I could enjoy every moment of it. 

First day as a dresser

I'm not sure that it's wise to start writing NOW. Tomorrow I need to get up early. And I still have my reasons. Only first day of the festival, I have a feeling that few things at the show time already start to mix at my head although it happened tonight, there are some more activity is waiting for me at this festival, only one day off before next adventure. So I hope I won't get too much into details next to the thing itself, although I can't without it. 

 Días de Flamenco has started at Tel Aviv for the 21 time. This time the main show is Flamenco Toolbox of Concha Jareño. Of course she didn't come alone. With her came to perform on same stage and show Adrián Santana as one more dancer. Ana Salazar is a singer/dancer who also takes a part at this show. The guitar player is El Tomate (Víctor Márquez). Two men as singers: David Sánchez "El Galli" and Manuel Gago. Percussion player is Luis Amador. 

I was sure that it will finish with watching the main show at Friday night as I always do, and take the workshop of Friday morning - I do I do sometimes. Because the main show is a show of Concha Jareño - she gives the workshop this year. Surprises happen from time to time. A surprise like I had this year with the festival - I rather have every day. Concha has many clothes at this show, all of it needs some help by wearing it. All because of a long zipper at the back, some has also one more little problematic thing on it. Although Concha came with a stage manager - she needed someone to come and help her. I was chosen to do so. As far as one evening I'm coming to see the show - someone else will be the dresser of Concha Jareño that evening. And still - between three evening I'm the personal dresser of Concha Jareño at the first and third day. Hooray! 

I've been told half an hour before the show starts at Thursday. I came way earlier. When I noticed that I came early enough - I wasn't hurry any more. I noticed near the artists' entrance for backstage someone that I didn't want to see. My "beloved" Adar. And there was a little fair of flamenco clothes without a connection to her. It belongs to Liat Raz. I didn't make a big try to look at the clothes. No, there is no problem with those clothes. If to tell the truth - I'm crazy for most of her designs to flamenco wearing. There are only few designs that she made that I don't like much, but even those can't be called "ugly". I didn't get to this area for I won't need to talk with Adar. And I'm not sure if it's a good idea to buy now few more things. I have too many shows and workshops these days. Although received a promise to get money for this job as a dresser - I still didn't see the money and don't know the way I will get it (cash could make look harder at the clothes. a pay check will make me put it at the bank). First thing that I really do - sitting on a bench outside. I called Ilan like I have no one else to call for. I asked him if he will come to the festival. He will, not tonight. He's at the studio of Mijal to take a rehearsal for the upcoming show of him with Einat. It will take a part at June, but the work is on. He said that some girls from the studio are on the way, so I will probably meet them. He may come at one of the other nights, he still didn't decide which. I told him that Adar is there. He told me that I should go to talk with her. I said that I won't. I want to throw up because of her. Ilan asked me to get better than myself. The flamenco community here is too small for fights. Even just say "hello" will be fine. Not sure that I can. OK, let's go on. 

I called Eva who's the manager of Adi Foundation. They make this wonderful festival happen every year. Still before the time I meant to come. I asked her if I should get in. She told me that David, her husband is there. Yeah, she did tell me before that he's the one who takes care for those things. I did call her first because the community I had so far about the festival was through her. She asked me if I have his number. Yeah, she gave me. I called him. I didn't have to say much. He was outside at a coffee shop which is at the same building of the main hall of Suzanne Dellal (the very certain place which the festival happen every year and one of the most important places of dance at Israel).  He was at one of the tables outside and noticed me first when I was looking for someone... I saw him for sure only once or twice before and still didn't remember his face. We never have been introduced before, so I was surprised it was so easy for him to recognize me. We went to the backstage at the moment. We went next ot Adar. A full ignorance between both of us. Liat who was closer to the door said "hello". I answered fast and kept going after David. I didn't notice the code he made, I didn't ask. Anyway didn't let me enter alone. I can't blame him. I'm not a pro dancer and he still doesn't know me well enough. About walking in together - one more thing which I can understand. The fellows there still don't know me, at least not at personal. If he's my connection - it will be for the best that they will see that I'm coming with him and not someone who came to make a mess. Two doors with some stairs between. When we got into the first door he told me that he asked "her" (Liat) about me. I was wondering when. He said that Liat told him that she knows me. Yeah, I probably don't know all at personal yet, but I know many. And many knows me as well. Sometimes it surprise me to find out who else knows me. 

Inside backstage. David showed me where is the certain room of Concha. He opened the door which was a little open before. When I made a try to tell her who I am and what do I do there - one more woman came. The stage manager who came with her. Silvia. She speak English. I was telling both who I am. Concha was worried if I speak Spanish. I answered and Spanish that my English is better, but I do speak some Spanish as well. It's true. I thought that it will be for the best to tell her that I speak also English and better just in case that she speaks as well and it could make our communication better at moments that my Spanish isn't enough. OK, she will need me at the show itself. Now I needed to leave her alone to prepare. Silvia had her wish to David (water bottles). She showed me the outfits of the show. It's mostly the zippers, no problem. I asked her about the order of it. She said that Concha will tell me and show me the order. Eti Guri was in there too for a friend. I don't know who. I was talking with her a bit. She was talking also with a stage worker from there. She got out to see the show.

Time is getting closer. I could hear the singers start their work at their dressing rooms. Adrián came out from his room. He sat not far. Hola. It didn't take long till he was busy with his mobile phone. One more woman came to sit next to him. I don't know who she is. Both with the phones, smoking cigarettes by the way. El Tomate came with his guitar. Phones at his ears. He sat next to me. I took his attention for a little longer. He was playing already. Luis Amador came to sit between him and Adrián. he started to knock on wood that he was sitting at. Made for sitting, Luis made it a cajon. I was hypnotized from the same moment they started to do so together. They noticed the way I was looking at them, looked back from time to time and smiled. Someone came in and asked for Sandra. Did I miss anyone. The others didn't know what to answer. One of them said after a while that there is no Sandra. Oh, so she's looking for Silvia. She's probably on stage. Few minutes to start. Not all is ready. Silvia told me to notice Concha all the time and do anything she ask me to. OK, that was after I made a mistake and was sure that Concha is calling for help. She did came out after a moment to help her. A weird clips that took me a little too long to understand how to close. It isn't a part of dress, more like a belt. After it has been don Concha told me that at show time all will have to be very fast.  I'll do my best. I asked her which will be the next dress. She told me. Ana Salazar came out only the same time or so. The strange woman came out from backstage. Most of them came up to stage. Silvia came with them and said "mucha mierda!" It took me a moment to notice that she meant to me. It's like saying "brake a leg". I told it a moment before. Only El Tomate noticed and thanked me. When it started to sound like the show starts - Adrián came out from his room. He changed fast. A moment before he was wearing his flamenco shoes, but with ordinary clothes. He came out dressed like a matador. He made a little practice in front of a mirror on the way to the door that leads to stage. He looked amazing in it. The fact he made a practice by the way... I wanted to make him some jaleo but stopped. It probably too weird to do it now. 

Show has started. I started to prepare the next dress. I opened the zipper and was putting it on the chair of Concha. After I finished it and made a try to relax - I made a try to figure out which palo is outside in stage. Didn't matter. It just made me wonder if I want to be the dresser without a chance to see the action on stage. The music, the steps, the castanets... I want to see it! It sounds amazing! 

After one dance Concha got back. She made it to open the dress alone. She took off her shoes and let me open it. It was a good idea to prepare the next dress at the way I did. It was easy for for her to get dress faster. I asked her again which dress is next. She took on another couple of shoes and told me which dress is next. I made the same thing with it at the moment she got back to stage. I hanged back the first dress. At third dress I got relax. I understand the way of helping her on the best way.to help her. After relaxing this way it was easier to listen and enjoy the music. At few moments it made me wanna dance.

Once  Adrián came back. A part on shoes went down. I asked him if help is needed. Still not sure if I was asking too quite or did he answer something. He got off his shirt. OK, my time to wash my eyes... So not professional! He was putting there a bolero. Silvia came back. She was talking with him. They got into his room by the time he was changing. Later on the musicians got out for short moments. Ana came back. She took the bolero that Adrián left there. She made something with it and took one more thing. Got back to stage. 

Few moments that I wasn't sure if I do my best. Twice or three times while changing to Concha she said "Rápido! Rápido!". She looked a bit nervous. I wasn't sure if it's because something that I did or that she's nervous because of the show. I made my best to stay cool. I've been chosen to be the dresser. I want to prove that they made the right choice. Later on Adrián got back. Took of a bolero and one more thing which I can't describe (don't know what it is). he left it on a sofa. First time he was really talking to me. "Es tu parte!" He said one more thing which I couldn't understand. Hell, I needed to improve my Spanish long ago. He showed me to hand it. Oh... That! 

Ana came twice to change. Once for another outfit, after that to get back to her earlier outfit. She was smiling to me a lot, but didn't really talk. 

Last mistake of the evening... I was sure that Concha told me about one dress that it's the next outfit. I prepared it. No it wasn't. "El negro! The black! El negro otra vez! " I made a try to prepare as fast as I could the black dress. The closing wasn't only zipper. I needed to do it as well. I noticed another couple of shoes. Because of the colour and because most of dresses made it show - I was sure it made for this dress. So, after the black dress she came back for this dress I thought came earlier. She told me that now it's about to be the next part. She looked relaxed. She asked me to help her to open a couple of shoes she was wearing earlier. A moment before coming back to stage - she came back. She changed her shoes for the couple she didn't wear so far. By the time she was dancing again - the stage worker came out. He took some snacks and was talking with me. He wanted it to finish. By the clock it need to finish at 5 more minutes and he wants to sleep. He doesn't want the fin la fiesta, too scary. He got back to stage to "take care for them". A bit after that I could hear the audience claps their hands. Without to see I could know that the audience had a great time. 

When all came back Ana was looking for a hanger for clothes. One, maybe two. I said "no vi un otro". Her question was "hablas Español?" "poquito". She was smiling. Concha told me that it's enough for tonight. I told her that tomorrow I will come to see the show, so someone else will come to help. Silvia came. Concha told her that I will come tomorrow to see the show, so someone else will come. Silvia asked me in English if I will be back on Saturday. I would. Just like Eva told her. Concha said something at Spanish. Too fast. Silvia was translating to English. Concha said that she's pleased from me. Cocncha said one more thing. Now I didn't figure out all words. Silvia was there. She told me that Concha said that she's sorry that she was shouting at me. Es bien. Shouting? Rpido! with stress isn't really to shout....

I went out. I was talking a bit with Liat. Vardit Lousky was there with her. All of us talking. People came to buy from Liat, Vardit found out other people to talk with, I noticed Ayelet and Moran. I came to talk with them. There was one more that I knew for a short time at this studio. After a little conversation - talking with Mijal who came. First thing "the dresser!" Well, Mijal. "her" girls and me were talking. All told me it's a great show. THe non pro went after a while. Ayelet said that I will enjoy it for sure. I didn't suffer so far... They said I made a good job. Oh, could they see it? I told them that after the show Concha said that she's sorry for shouting at me.  Three of them asked me together "did she shout on you?" Mijal also said that Concha doesn't look like someone who shouts. She didn't really shout... I asked them if they will come to the workshop. No. Got to go. Mijal asked me if I'll come on Monday. Of course! The only thing that I will need to bring are shoes. I have that

Tuesday at La Caja Negra

Este Martes en la Caja Negra Sevilla

Respiro Flamenco

2 de octubre en Teatro central de Sevilla, Respiro Flamenco, con Rafael Campallo, Choro, David Pérez, Mercedes de Córdoba, Maria la Serrana, Juan José Amador, Pepe de Pura, Jesús Corbacho, Juan Campallo y Luis Amador.

On the way to Ibiza

Tonight, tonight

7-8 June in Sevilla

Here she comes (tomorrow in Sevilla)

Friday night, Sevilla (the dancer comes from here)

In November

Een pure flamencovoorstelling met artiesten van hoog niveau, allen afkomstig uit Sevilla. Een aanrader voor al diegene die de flamenco een warm hart toedragen ! FLAMENCO DEL SUR - LIVE "Arte y Pasión - Sevilla" Vrijdag 16 en Zaterdag 17 November 2012 om 21.00h Zondag 18 November 2012 om 15.00h. Artista invitado: Antonio Molina "El Choro" in Peña Al Andalus -Antwerpen

Upcoming in the next couple of days