NEW YORK CITY CENTER EDUCATION
SPRING 2021
BEHIND THE CURTAIN: Suarez photo by Javier Rodriguez; Ana FLAMENCO FESTIVAL
Your personal guide to the production. CITY CENTER EDUCATION 1 TABLE of THE HISTORY
of FLAMENCO New York City’s CONTENTS first flamenco The roots of flamenco can be traced an improvised form. The singing is performance back for centuries. Born from the center of the flamenco group. occured in the the expression of a persecuted The dancer physically interprets the 1840s! people, most notably, the Gypsies words and emotion of the singer of southern Spain, its unique through his or her movements, blend of influences and musical which include percussive footwork complexity can be attributed to the and intricate hand, arm and body 1 History of Flamenco consequences of the decree made movements. The guitarist provides Towards the end of the 19th century in Spain in 1492 by King Ferdinand the accompaniment to the singer flamenco entered the commercial V and Queen Isabella that everyone and dancer, accentuating his or arena. This led to the evolution of 2 Glossary living under their domain convert to her vocal lines and/or melodies. professional artists and culminated Catholicism. This proclamation was Most scholars will agree that the in the period of the ‘cafes cantantes’ 3 Flamenco Crossword issued under the threat of varying birthplace of flamenco is Jerez de (song and dance cafes) where degrees of punishment, the most la Frontera, a small city in southern flamenco could be heard and seen severe being the death penalty, Spain. However, because of the in public. This evolution also led to 4 Write a Review by fire. Gypsies, Muslims, Jews nomadic nature of the Gypsies, changes in the nature of the songs and anyone living in Spain at the flamenco quickly gained roots in as fads developed for particular 5 Recommended Dance Books time was ordered to convert. It is several Andalucian towns, including types of cante. Many of the more believed that because of this decree Sevilla and Granada. Flamenco primitive forms languished, and 6 Additional Resources these different ethnic groups came went through many phases in the some were totally lost, while other together to help each other, and 18th and 19th centuries, including more upbeat forms achieved within this melding of cultures the performance of the form by tremendous popularity. flamenco was born. non-Gypsies. Ironically, this is what gave the form its legitimacy, as Today, Flamenco is nothing short Flamenco, in general, consists of it was seen in theatres and cafes. of an international phenomenon. three artistic elements: the singing It can also be said that it became The city where the first cries of (cante), the dance (baile) and the commercial, with the obvious Flamenco were heard, Jerez, now guitar (guitarra). In addition, there negative implications, as well as hosts an annual Flamenco Festival are often members of a flamenco quite successful. And although the that attracts thousands of visitors group playing “palmas” or hand- Gypsies did not achieve respect and from across the world. Flamenco clapping. The relationship between honor for their contribution to the fans, or “aficionados,” can be found the artists is similar to that of jazz— art form until many years later, they in most any country. Flamenco is an there is a basic structure that one have always been considered the best art form that inspires, educates and must follow, but at its heart, it is interpreters of the flamenco arts. entertains people the world over.
CITY CENTERCITY EDUCATION CENTER EDUCATION | CONTEXT 1 Click the links below to watch these moves in action. Hear from Teaching Artist FLOREO GLOSSARY Xianix Barrera. FLAMENCO CROSSWORD
ACROSS DOWN Baile: Flamenco dancing Llamada: A call, or dance break to signal the change of a section 3. Flamenco turns 1. Body percussion Braceo: Arm work - movement of 4. A box-shaped percussion instrument 2. Flamenco dancing the arms during the flamenco dance Marcaje: Marking step, it is 6. Flamenco guitar 5. A chorus in which dancers and the singer clap particularly used when the singer is 8. Handwork, in Spanish means “to flower” 7. Rhythmic cycle of beats and rhythms 9. Finger snapping 10. A marking step Cajón: A box-shaped percussion singing BRACEO instrument 11. A lively dynamic dance and song form within the flamenco style 12. A style of hand-clapping used in flamenco music Palmas: A style of handclapping 13. Footwork associated chiefly with the heel 14. A form of flamenco music that is traditionally Cante: Flamenco singing used in flamenco music, an 15. Rhythmic patterns with double beats danced to only by men essential form of percussion to help 16. Flamenco singing Name: Compás: Rhythmic cycle of beats, punctuate and accentuate the song 17. A lively and communal flamenco celebration measures and rhythms and dance 18. A call, or dance break to signalComplete the the crossword puzzle below change of a section 1 2 Farruca: A form of flamenco music Palmas Claras: Louder, higher- PALMAS CLARAS that is traditionally danced to only pitched claps, created when the 3 4 5 by men fingers of the strong hand land into the open palm of the weak hand. Floreo: Handwork, the movement a dancer makes with their hands Palmas Sordas: Softer, low pitched 6 7 while dancing. In Spanish means “to or muted clapping done with cupped flower” hands, often by the singer 8 9 Jaleo: A chorus in which dancers and Percusión Corporeal: HINT: Look at the the singer clap. It can also be words Body percussion Glossary on page 2 or expressions of encouragement to solve the puzzle 10 Pitos: Finger snapping Juerga: A lively and communal PITOS 11 flamenco celebration, often Redoble: Rhythmic patterns with 12 involving a “jam session” or “free- double beats; redobles are usually The most flamenco taps 13 in one minute (male) is 1,317 and style” movements used in the dance to provide was achieved by Israel Vivancos dynamic accents. 14 (Spain), of the flamenco dance company “Los Vivancos”, in Madrid, Spain, on Taconeo: Footwork associated November 2, 2012
chiefly with the heel, involving PALMAS SORDAS The origin of the word 15 “flamenco” is a mystery! rhythmic patterns. One theory, proposed by Andalusian historian Blas Infante, suggests that Tangos: A lively dynamic dance and 16 17 the word comes from the song form within the flamenco style Hispano-Arabic phrase fellah mengu, meaning “expelled peasant”. Toque: Flamenco guitar 18
Vueltas: Flamenco turns Created using the Crossword Maker on TheTeachersCorner.net
Across (Answer Key on page 6) 2 CITY CENTER EDUCATION CITY CENTER EDUCATION 3 3. Flamenco turns 4. A box-shaped percussion instrument Down 6. Flamenco guitar 1. Body percussion 8. Handwork, the movement a dancer makes with their hands while 2. Flamenco dancing dancing. In Spanish means “to flower” 5. A chorus in which dancers and the singer clap. It can 9. Finger snapping also be words or expressions of encouragement 11. A lively dynamic dance and song form within the flamenco style 7. Rhythmic cycle of beats, measures and rhythms 13. Footwork associated chiefly with the heel, involving rhythmic 10. Marking step, it is particularly used when the singer patterns. is singing 15. Rhythmic patterns with double beats; redoubles are usually used in 12. A style of hand-clapping used in flamenco music the dance to provide dynamic accents 14. A form of flamenco music that is traditionally 16. Flamenco singing danced to only by men 17. A lively and communal flamenco celebration, often involving a “jam session” or “free-style” movements 18. A call, or dance break to signal the change of a section WRITE A REVIEW RECOMMENDED City Center Education encourages you to continue the conversation and write your own review. Use the questions below to help discuss or write DANCE BOOKS about the performance! CHILDREN’S BOOKS
• What was your overall reaction to the performance? • What spatial characteristics or shapes of the movement • Describe the moment that popped or stuck out most did you observe? (e.g., angular, curved, staccato, legato, light, heavy, symmetrical, asymmetrical, low level, high level, etc.) in your mind. Why? • How would you describe the music? Set? Lighting? • What message do you think the dance was trying Costumes? Props? to communicate? • Describe the pace and tempo of the student matinee. • Did the dance remind you of anything? If so, what? (e.g., slow, fast, varied) • How did you feel watching the performance? What • If you were the choreographer, what creative changes emotions did you observe the performers experiencing? or additions would you make to the show?
Flamingo Flamenco I Want to Dance Flamenco! Lola’s Fandango OLE Flamenco by Brooke Jordan by Azucena Huidobro by Anne Witte by George Ancona
GENERAL BOOKS
From 1869 – 1910, flamenco artists became major attractions cafés Flamenco on the Global Stage: Gypsies and Flamenco In Search of Duende Sonidos Negros in venues known as Historical, Critical by Bernard Leblon by Federico García Lorca by K. Meira Goldberg cantantes. This period is and Theoretical Perspectives referred to as the “Golden Edited by K. Meira Goldberg, Age of Flamenco”. Ninotchka Devorah Bennahum and Michelle Heffner Hayes
4 CITY CENTER EDUCATION 5 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES NEW YORK CITY CENTER FLAMENCO ARTISTS WHO HAVE PERFORMED EDUCATION AT NEW YORK CITY CENTER
Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía | juntadeandalucia.es/cultura/flamenco/content/ballet_flamenco_ de_andaluc%C3%ADa Eva Yerbabuena | evayerbabuena.com/ VISION STATEMENT Farruquito | farruquito.es/ The mission of New York City Center Education is to ignite an Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana | flamenco-vivo.org/home/ appreciation of the performing arts, cultivate the creative mind, Manuel Liñian | manuellinan.com and create a culture of inquiry and exploration. Committed to Maria Pages | mariapages.com/ drawing inspiration from works on the mainstage, New York City
Olga Pericet | olgapericet.es/en/ Center Education strives to provide innovative, accessible arts education to schools and communities across New York City. Patrícia Guerrero | patricia-guerrero.es/
Rocio Molina | rociomolina.net
Sara Baras | sarabaras.com/
Soledad Barrios and Noche Flamenca | soledadbarrioandnocheflamenca.com/ ABOUT NEW YORK CITY CENTER EDUCATION
Each year City Center reaches over 11,000 students from NYC public and private schools, kindergarten to grade 12, through dance and musical theater performances and in-school CROSSWORD PUZZLE (page 3) workshops. In-depth residencies engage young people in building technical and expressive skills, personal voice, and collaborative spirit. Innovative workshops are crafted for families, seniors, and Answer Key other special groups that express an interest in collaborating with City Center.
ACROSS DOWN Through the Introduction to Performing Arts program, students have the opportunity to view 3. Vueltas 1. Percusión Corporeal live performing arts at City Center. At the Workshop level, students receive two in-school 4. Cajón 2. Baile workshops in addition to attending a live performance. Residencies provide in-depth multi- 6. Toque 5. Jaleo week study around one of the productions presented during the season. During the 2019-2020 8. Floreo 7. Compás 9. Pitos 10. Marcaje Season, City Center Education offers students the opportunity to study dance and 11. Tangos 12. Palmas musical theater productions from City Center’s mainstage. 13. Taconeo 14. Farruca 15. Redoble 16. Cante 17. Juerga 18. Llamada Interested in becoming at City Center Education Partner School? Email us at [email protected] to learn more about our programs and what’s coming next season!
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