Friday night I had the opportunity to be part of a cuadro. Ben and Emma of “Dos Lunas” flamenco had a gig up in their neck of the woods and with Veronica Polo singing, they thought it would help round things out to have a palmera. So me and palmas obliged. For as much time and money as I have invested into the art of flamenco, I have not invested much into creating a flamenco wardrobe. So I was a little uncertain as to what to wear. But I figured I couldn’t go wrong with lunares, so I wore my big ruffly skirt. Let me tell you – the place where this gig was held was absolutely magnificent. It was the outdoor garden of a local company that makes high-end Christmas decorations. Granted it was hazy, hot and humid, so the prize-winning roses were a little wilted, but it was a spectacular setting.
You might think that it’s no big deal to sit up there with the guitarist and singer and clap along to the music. But it’s really not like that. Here you have a guitarist playing complex falsettas which are nowhere near square to the rhythm, the singer opening her voice and winding the cante around the compas and the dancer working her way up to contratiempo. Sheesh – it’s a good thing they had me there!
All joking aside, it requires concentration. Also, you have to clap loud enough so that all interested parties can hear, but not so loud that it overpowers anyone. At certain times you clap “clara,” crisp and bright – right in the sweet spot of the palms, and while the guitarist and singer are doing their things, it’s back down to “sorda” which provides a muffled, bass undertone to mark the compas. Granted, I’m new at this, but it’s something I take very seriously. To hold the compas is of the utmost importance, for without it – flamenco does not exist. It is also just as important to be there to support the dancer, the guitarist, the singer as they create art. After a few minutes of clapping, my hands start to hurt, my arms start to itch and my arms start to feel like I’ve been doing push-ups. So a quick shake and back into the moment I go. After all, I ‘m there to lend a hand….
2 comments:
Carol thanks so much for coming up and doing flamenco with us!! I had so much fun, and the energy was so much more invigorating with all four of us up there. Despite the humidity and sweat I think it was a great show. I know what you mean about having sore arms -- that's how I felt after the recitals for Elba's students. Well we missed you at the after party but we are very grateful to have your energy and your presence! Olé!!
Regarding the sore arms: it gets easier with experience. Every Monday night after my flamenco gig at Cafe Citron, my flamenco friends and I head over to Ozio to support our rumbero friends at their gig and pretty much for two hours, we do almost non-stop palmas. Quite a workout! :-)
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