flamenco in Granada?
 

My teenage daughter and I will be in Granada for three days in late
October and would like to see a flamenco show. Many say flamenco
is better in Seville, the shows in Granada are just for tourists,
etc., but nonetheless we'd like to see one - any recommendations
would be greatly appreciated.
--
Nora

Re: flamenco in Granada?
 

"ncb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > My teenage daughter and I will be in Granada for three days in late
    > October and would like to see a flamenco show. Many say flamenco
    > is better in Seville, the shows in Granada are just for tourists,
    > etc., but nonetheless we'd like to see one - any recommendations
    > would be greatly appreciated.
    > --
    > Nora
You will be approached in the streets by people wanting to put on a show for
you....avoid.
Derek.

Re: flamenco in Granada?
 

Following up to ncb

    >My teenage daughter and I will be in Granada for three days in late
    >October and would like to see a flamenco show. Many say flamenco
    >is better in Seville, the shows in Granada are just for tourists,
    >etc., but nonetheless we'd like to see one - any recommendations
    >would be greatly appreciated.

Flamenco put on for tourists anywhere in Andalucia is likely to
be reasonable, unlike elsewhere in Spain where it might resemble
ballet if your unlucky. Cadiz is my preferred place but just ask
at the desk of your hotel. To get into the "real thing" takes a
lot of effort, and do you want to take your daughter to a pena
on some dodgy public housing estate at 2 am?

Recent knowledge (on the day!) is the most valuable asset and
dont expect it to start on time.
--
Mike Reid
Flamenco, the European blues
"http://www.fell-walker.co.uk/andalus.htm#flamenco"
(see webpage for email)

Re: flamenco in Granada?
 

"The Reid" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Following up to ncb
    > >My teenage daughter and I will be in Granada for three days in late
    > >October and would like to see a flamenco show. Many say flamenco
    > >is better in Seville, the shows in Granada are just for tourists,
    > >etc., but nonetheless we'd like to see one - any recommendations
    > >would be greatly appreciated.
    > Flamenco put on for tourists anywhere in Andalucia is likely to
    > be reasonable, unlike elsewhere in Spain where it might resemble
    > ballet if your unlucky. Cadiz is my preferred place but just ask
    > at the desk of your hotel. To get into the "real thing" takes a
    > lot of effort, and do you want to take your daughter to a pena
    > on some dodgy public housing estate at 2 am?
What you're looking for is a "tablao flamenco" where the price of admission
generally entitles you to one "consumation." Even in Seville, these
commercial establishments aren't all that great, barring a couple which
aren't bad. "Real" flamenco is more likely to be seen at the festivals and
ferias (fairs), usually in the smaller towns of Andalucia. And I agree, the
best flamenco I've seen has been in Cadiz and Jerez, and most of it was
free, with shows being organized by the town council--not for tourists, but
for the local population.

Lana (former flamenco dancer)

Re: flamenco in Granada?
 

ncb schrieb:
    >
    > My teenage daughter and I will be in Granada for three days in late
    > October and would like to see a flamenco show. Many say flamenco
    > is better in Seville, the shows in Granada are just for tourists,
    > etc., but nonetheless we'd like to see one - any recommendations
    > would be greatly appreciated.
    > --
    > Nora

We wandered into a genuine flamenco club by sheer chance somewhere in
the narrow streets of the Albaicin, the old village on the hill opposite
the Alhambra. I doubt if I could ever find it again. When I say genuine,
I mean no tourists, no sign on the door, by 9PM there were a couple of
locals in the bar and some guys just warming up on guitar.

Also in that area is a fantastic restaurant on a little street facing
the Alhambra across the river. There's just a tiny scrawled handwritten
menu on the door, otherwise you wouldn't even know it's a restaurant.

Tom

Re: flamenco in Granada?
 

Thomas Peel wrote:
    >
    > ncb schrieb:
    > >
    > > My teenage daughter and I will be in Granada for three days in late
    > > October and would like to see a flamenco show. Many say flamenco
    > > is better in Seville, the shows in Granada are just for tourists,
    > > etc., but nonetheless we'd like to see one - any recommendations
    > > would be greatly appreciated.
    > > --
    > > Nora
    >
    > We wandered into a genuine flamenco club by sheer chance somewhere in
    > the narrow streets of the Albaicin, the old village on the hill opposite
    > the Alhambra. I doubt if I could ever find it again. When I say genuine,
    > I mean no tourists, no sign on the door, by 9PM there were a couple of
    > locals in the bar and some guys just warming up on guitar.
    >
    > Also in that area is a fantastic restaurant on a little street facing
    > the Alhambra across the river. There's just a tiny scrawled handwritten
    > menu on the door, otherwise you wouldn't even know it's a restaurant.
    >
    > Tom

Well, it could be hard to locate these places - but I take your point
one should be alert for things that aren't indicated by a flashing
neon sign :o)
--
Nora

Re: flamenco in Granada?
 

The Reid wrote:
    >
    > Following up to ncb
    >
    > Flamenco put on for tourists anywhere in Andalucia is likely to
    > be reasonable, unlike elsewhere in Spain where it might resemble
    > ballet if your unlucky. Cadiz is my preferred place but just ask
    > at the desk of your hotel. To get into the "real thing" takes a
    > lot of effort, and do you want to take your daughter to a pena
    > on some dodgy public housing estate at 2 am?

No, I'm not worried about it being the 'real thing' - as you say,
that might not be at a time and place convenient for us tourists :-)
- I just wondered if anyone had seen any of the sanitized touristy
shows and could recommend one, as I'm sure some are better than
others. But you're right, the best thing to do is probably to ask
at the hotel.
--
Nora

Re: flamenco in Granada?
 

szozu wrote:
    >
    > "The Reid" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > > Following up to ncb
    > >
    > > >My teenage daughter and I will be in Granada for three days in late
    > > >October and would like to see a flamenco show. Many say flamenco
    > > >is better in Seville, the shows in Granada are just for tourists,
    > > >etc., but nonetheless we'd like to see one - any recommendations
    > > >would be greatly appreciated.
    > >
    > > Flamenco put on for tourists anywhere in Andalucia is likely to
    > > be reasonable, unlike elsewhere in Spain where it might resemble
    > > ballet if your unlucky. Cadiz is my preferred place but just ask
    > > at the desk of your hotel. To get into the "real thing" takes a
    > > lot of effort, and do you want to take your daughter to a pena
    > > on some dodgy public housing estate at 2 am?
    > >
    > What you're looking for is a "tablao flamenco" where the price of admission
    > generally entitles you to one "consumation." Even in Seville, these
    > commercial establishments aren't all that great, barring a couple which
    > aren't bad. "Real" flamenco is more likely to be seen at the festivals and
    > ferias (fairs), usually in the smaller towns of Andalucia. And I agree, the
    > best flamenco I've seen has been in Cadiz and Jerez, and most of it was
    > free, with shows being organized by the town council--not for tourists, but
    > for the local population.
    >
    > Lana (former flamenco dancer)

I understand the tourist shows aren't 'real' flamenco, but since
the chances of our seeing anything more authentic in a three day
short break to Granada seem fairly slim, we're perfectly happy to
see one of the tourist shows. Everybody keeps saying it's better
in Seville, or Cadiz, or in some bar they can't remember the name
of, etc. - we just want to know which tourist place in Granada is
the least tacky and gives the best value for money. :-)
--
Nora

Re: flamenco in Granada?
 

I know it will be deemed heresy, but as far as my experience is concerned,
the "touristy" flamenco is a lot more fun for the tourist. The "real thing"
in small clubs is rather dour, "sincere," and low key. I have been to dozens
and dozens of flamenco places, and the most exciting show I have ever seen
was in a hotel in Seville -- vigourous, non-stop kids, full of life and show
biz.
For many years I avoided tourist traps, in Spain, France, Italy, et al. Then
I discovered that they are mostly terrific -- that's why they have become
tourist traps.
I shall now duck under cover as the purists attack. ( Ah, the purists attack
the tourists! Should sell tickets!)
rjf


"ncb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > My teenage daughter and I will be in Granada for three days in late
    > October and would like to see a flamenco show. Many say flamenco
    > is better in Seville, the shows in Granada are just for tourists,
    > etc., but nonetheless we'd like to see one - any recommendations
    > would be greatly appreciated.
    > --
    > Nora

Re: flamenco in Granada?
 

"ncb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > szozu wrote:
    > >
    > > "The Reid" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > > news:[email protected]...
    > > > Following up to ncb
    > > >
    > > > >My teenage daughter and I will be in Granada for three days in late
    > > > >October and would like to see a flamenco show. Many say flamenco
    > > > >is better in Seville, the shows in Granada are just for tourists,
    > > > >etc., but nonetheless we'd like to see one - any recommendations
    > > > >would be greatly appreciated.
    > > >
    > > > Flamenco put on for tourists anywhere in Andalucia is likely to
    > > > be reasonable,
    > > What you're looking for is a "tablao flamenco"
    > I understand the tourist shows aren't 'real' flamenco, but since
    > the chances of our seeing anything more authentic in a three day
    > short break to Granada seem fairly slim, we're perfectly happy to
    > see one of the tourist shows. > Nora

As mentioned before, your hotel will be familiar with all the tablaos, so
just ask!

Lana

Re: flamenco in Granada?
 

"Bob Fusillo" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:Y387b.393751$YN5.260035@sccrnsc01...
    > I know it will be deemed heresy, but as far as my experience is concerned,
    > the "touristy" flamenco is a lot more fun for the tourist. The "real
thing"
    > in small clubs is rather dour, "sincere," and low key. I have been to
dozens
    > and dozens of flamenco places, and the most exciting show I have ever seen
    > was in a hotel in Seville -- vigourous, non-stop kids, full of life and
show
    > biz.
    > For many years I avoided tourist traps, in Spain, France, Italy, et al.
Then
    > I discovered that they are mostly terrific -- that's why they have become
    > tourist traps.
    > I shall now duck under cover as the purists attack. ( Ah, the purists
attack
    > the tourists! Should sell tickets!)
    > rjf

I have to agree with much of what you have to say--and yes, the better
places put on a good show, yet I've never seen anything at a tablao that had
a spark of genius to it, whereas I've seen real "arte" at all sorts of other
venues, including on the concert stage. I think that putting on the same
show several times a night and knowing that your audience is composed
primarily of tourists makes a lot of performers give less than their all.
Still, for tourists its usually the only way to see any flamenco at all.

Lana

Re: flamenco in Granada?
 

Following up to ncb

    >But you're right, the best thing to do is probably to ask
    >at the hotel.

I think so, my Cadiz experience was that it was a bit hit and
miss, the place I went to one week in Cadiz was not doing
Flamenco the next, but another place was.
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
UK walking "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Spain,cuisines and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap

Re: flamenco in Granada?
 

Following up to ncb

    >Well, it could be hard to locate these places - but I take your point
    >one should be alert for things that aren't indicated by a flashing
    >neon sign :o)

you will enjoy exploring the Albaicin even if you find no dance
and no dinner :-)
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
UK walking "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Spain,cuisines and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap

Re: flamenco in Granada?
 

Following up to Bob Fusillo

    >I know it will be deemed heresy

yep!
Flamenoc should be more than show bizz, it should at its best
strike at your soul.
--
Mike Reid
Flamenco, the European blues
"http://www.fell-walker.co.uk/andalus.htm#flamenco"
(see webpage for email)

Re: flamenco in Granada?
 

Any chance of some more details about your Cadiz experience as I am going
to Cadiz soon and will be looking for some good flamenco spots.
I know others in the region and would recommend heading for Jerez for a
culture that a is pretty much steeped in flamenco. Especially go during the
festivals if you can make it. The Fiesta de Otoño has just started and lasts
another 12 days
http://personal.telefonica.terra.es/...ep/events.html

Nige



"The Reid" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Following up to ncb
    > >But you're right, the best thing to do is probably to ask
    > >at the hotel.
    > I think so, my Cadiz experience was that it was a bit hit and
    > miss, the place I went to one week in Cadiz was not doing
    > Flamenco the next, but another place was.
    > --
    > Mike Reid