El Barrio will fill with fusion flamenco the Palacio de los Deportes San Pablo in Seville on 3^rd and 4^th of February.

El Barrio is José Luis Figuereo better known as Selu. The name of the band is a tribute to his native district Barrio de Santa Maria, the neighborhood with the most flamenco influence in Cadiz known as El Barrio. Seems like Cádiz has something special, because its people got spark, it could be its light and sea.

José Luis Figuereo is a poet and a musician, who has constructed his career little by little. He composes no commercial music with easy choruses; his songs are not heard on common radio stations and no media advertise his albums. It is Word of mouth what makes him sell so many discs and fill stadiums everywhere he goes.

A hat is his trademark. When he wears it, he goes from José Luis Figuereo to El Barrio.

Manolo Caracol, Camarón, Paco de Lucía, Enrique Morente and the Andalusian rock of the 20’s by Medina Azahara, Alameda and Triana have influenced him; His music is flamenco fusion, but in all of his albums there is Bulería, Tango and Alegrías.

He has composed and edited all his musical productions. In 1996 he recorded the album “Yo sueno flamenco”(I sound flamenco). Until then he was just a guitarist. This album is well received and many concerts come along. In 1998 he recorded “Mi secreto” (My Secret), which has even better reception. Then  “Mal de amores” (Lovesick) (1999) and “La fuente del deseo” (The Fountain of Desire) (2000) followed. The phenomenon El Barrio continues to grow. With “Me voy al mundo” (I’m going to the world) (2002) he got his first gold record. In 2003 he published his sixth album “Ángel malherido” (Wounded Angel).” The concerts are crowded and all over Spain. Concerts are sometimes two or three days in a row in the same city, because of the incredible demand for tickets. Hits the market in 2005 “Las playas de invierno” (The beaches of winter) and in 2006 the compilation “Toda una década” (A whole decade). Followed  by albums “La voz de mi silencio”(The voice of my silence) (2007), “Duermevela” (2009), “Al sur de la Atlántida” (South of Atlantis) (2010) and the last to date, “Espejos” (Mirrors) (2011).

All these albums are great, but when he comes on stage with his musicians, the same who have accompanied him from the beginning of his career, they offer second to none shows.

El Barrio fans are known as Barrieros. To be a Barriero is almost a religion. His concerts are highly participatory and normally begin three hours before, right in the queue, where singing, dancing and shouting “Arriba el Selu y olé el Barrio”. In the concerts, the Barrieros feel, jump, sing, dance, and cry when Selu sings the song that touches them. The lyrics are poems. The Selu said such beautiful things, as “the voice of my silence is my soul’s weep”

For more information on the tickets of the show click on the following link: www.cantautorelbarrio.com

Luis Varela

Flamenco lives and breathes through the streets of Seville. If you want to enjoy this concert more comfortably, you can just book apartments in Seville

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Translated by: Hans
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Miguel Ángel Poveda León was born in Barcelona in February 1973, and with nearly 40 years of age he managed what all artists want: the recognition of the public and his colleagues. This man is one of the most famous flamenco singers in the whole world, even though he’s known by the name Miguel Poveda. Since the age of 15 he’s dedicated himself to flamenco music, but it was running through his veins since he was in his mother’s womb.

His professional flamenco career began in 1993 after having won various famous national awards which made him famous around Spain first and then around the world. And so, step by step and with a lot of care and work, Poveda won many awards for his artistic work. Some of the latest are the Catalunya National Culture Prize this year, a special prize given by the Local Federation of Flamenco fanclubs in 2009 during the 13th Jerez Festival, and many others.

By winning prizes, the people and his musical colleagues got to know him. Today he’s a well-loved artist by all the public who love flamenco, both from and out of Spain. He played in the most important cities in the world representing his culture and his passion. For example, he played a concert at the Odeon in Paris, at the Colón Theatre in Buenos Aires, at the Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome, and in many other places in a never-ending list.

As well as being a very charismatic man, he’s good looking and the women die for him when he shouts his classical ‘olé’ and puts on his most heartfelt facial expressions. But Miguel Poveda isn’t just a pretty face. Film directors such as Pedro Almodóvar and Bigas Luna called him to participate in their films. The same happened with other artists who wanted to sing with him, such as Joan Manuel Serrat, Pasión Vega, Raphael and others.

The citizens and visitors of the city of Seville will have the pleasure of being able to listen to this privileged voice at the Maestranza Theatre, in three exclusive concerts which will take place on the 10th, 11th and 12th of December of 2011. The time will be at 8.30pm and those who attend will fall in love with his songs which will go back to his greatest hits from his career from his eight recorded albums. ‘Copias del querer’, his latest album, is already in platinum.

And that’s how the classic flamenco from all times is still alive in the hearts and the blood of all good music lovers. Miguel Poveda knew how to adapt to the cultural changes of recent times and, today, he’s the modern symbol of transformation of the musical genre.

For more information on this series of concerts, you can visit the Maestranza Theatre’s website, where you can also buy the tickets for his show:

http://www.teatrodelamaestranza.es/secciones/prog/prog_ficha.php?id=508

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If you rent apartments in Seville in December, you’ll be one step away from listening to the best contemporary flamenco singer, which is an ideal plan for a tourist who wants to get to know the culture from a new country, its people and its music. Also, the Maestranza Theatre is an emblem of the city which you should visit if you’re visiting it.

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Translated by: aleixgwilliam
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Get your dancing shoes on – it’s all happening in Seville right now. The acclaimed Seville Fundición is presenting ¡Ahora, Danza!, a cycle of five performances, on until May: Capítulo I + Muérete Mucho, Perro, Fragile, Animal’s Party and Florilegio en Movimiento. This year, prepare yourself for a more exciting line up than ever before; not only are there some incredible dance shows in store, but also question and answer sessions with the choreographers after each performance – an open discussion of all the ideas and creative processes involved in which the public can participate. Below is a brief synopsis of the items on the programme.

“Capítulo I + Muérete Mucho,” which kicks off the cycle, is all about the pros and cons of love. The desperation of breaking up and its consequences – the idea of everlasting love, love as the source of eternal happiness, and also passion as a source of pain and frustration – is all expressed beautifully through the body and movement

There’s also “Perro” by Daniel Abreu, in which the protagonist confronts himself on stage – just one person telling a story, which begins “what is the dog, and why is he domesticated?” With this performance we see Abreu at his best, where the stage is a metaphor for life, where we are all having to interpret a role, and dance and move.

On the 8th of March was “Fragile” from the Teresa Navarrete company; a piece that works with multimedia to re-imagine different physical spaces through visual projection and music. Filmed during the summer of 2009, it came out of improvisation sessions in non-theatrical settings. Super cool.

The 5th of April is “Animal’s Party” from Andalucian break dance group Crazy Zoo. The group has been putting on exhibitions and choreographies since 2002, as well as participating in various championships – and these guys have got the moves. Here the urban is brought to the stage – highly recommended for anybody into rap, reggaeton and anything related.

And finally, on tuesday 10th May is “Florilegio del Movimiento” – a show which commemorates thirteen years of company Perros en Danza, with a medley of three previous choreographies. With touches of flamenco, the performance investigates the traditions of contemporary dance and its future.

Congratulations to the Seville Fundición for this latest extravaganza – a real treat for fans of contemporary dance and performance. ¡Ahora, Danza! creates a platform for the best contemporary dance in the country today.

For more information go to http://www.fundiciondesevilla.es/.  Discounts for students!

SISTER RAY

An extra reason to find an apartments in Seville is to head down to some of these performances. Also, Seville is a beautiful city, with it’s own unique way of life – you have to see it for yourself.

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Translated by: Poppy
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It just so happens that the premiere of the second movie by Carlos Saura about Flamenco (Flamenco, Flamenco) coincides with the decision of the UNESCO to declare this form of art as world cultural heritage.

Although many important musicians of this genre like gitarrist Paco de Lucía think that this recognition comes a little late, a long time after this form of dance filled theatres and concerts halls. They this it would have been important to support the flamenco 30 years ago when it was insignificant culturally and economically.

The mystery of the flamenco starts with its name because there are many theories about the origin of this term. One of these theories claims that it is a word from the streets as an expression for passion and arrogance related to the gypsies. Gitano or egiptano,  many have associated this population with the mysteries of Egypt, a culture that apparently has a lot in common with the gypsies.

Speaking of polemics regarding the culture of Flamenco it is an art form that emerged in Andalusia

Paul Oilzum

Rent apartments in Seville and look in hidden, mysterious corners of this magical city for the essence of Flamenco.?

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Translated by: salome antigone
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Flamenco is a type of typical Andalusian music, where they mix elements such as dance, the “toque” and the song. It is a worldwide famous style that arouses admiration everywhere. Since its beginnings, two centuries ago, it has evolved into a multitude of trends without losing its authenticity. Flamenco feeds off a strong emotive link it creates with its audience. This emerging sensitivity that grows between the artists and the audience gives it the nickname “arte jondo”, as it delves into the deepest feelings. It is also known as “arte gitano” (gypsy art) due to the influence that the gypsies had in its origins and development.

Flamenco is the result of a sum of musical cultures that have developed in Andalusia: Jewish music, Arabic music, Spanish music, the ancient Andalusian music and of course, gypsy music.

In flamenco the feelings are more important than the aesthetics. The artist priority is to reach its audience through the emotions. Thus, the singer begins it show with a pitiful whimper, known as “quejío” which prepare the listener emotionally and also tunes the singer’s voice. The flamenco dance is very expressive and depends entirely on the guitar, which provides the beat and the rhythm. This is an introverted, individual dance, full of feelings and improvisation. The “toque flamenco” fixes its attention in the Andalusian gipsy guitar, which has become its most avant-garde and admired facet.

There are many tourists that travel to Andalusia with the unique idea of enjoying of flamenco art. There are also many artists who have exported flamenco outside Spain. On the other hand, the media spreads its power around the world. Despite this universality, Andalusia continues being its cradle and its capital

Actually, flamenco has mixed with other types of music. Many people think that this mix and the excessive orchestration have discredited flamenco, which no longer enjoys the authenticity it had before. But some bands such as Pata Negra, Ketama, Navajita Plateá, Ojos de Brujo, etc, have proved that the new flamenco is very self-confident. They have successfully fused elements of flamenco music with jazz, salsa, pop or rock.

Nonetheless, there are opinions for and against this emerging style.

Both, the new flamenco as well as the “flamenco jondo” are in fashion. Do you want to experiment flamenco’s most authentic style? Take the first flight to Andalusia and rent apartments in Seville. You’ll surely love it!