This One Time at Flamenco Camp.....

I'm not sure exactly when it was (maybe 2002?), but at some point during the summer following my first flamenco class I had the good fortune to head out west for a week-long flamenco camp hosted by California-based artist "La Tania."

It was held in an old CCC camp outside Mendocino, California, equipped with rustic redwood cabins, a variety of outbuildings and unspoiled nature. The official program included classes in Technique/Choreography (por Solea), palmas and cante (por Tangos). The unofficial educational component included survival skills for camping in the Redwoods, campfire juergas, and an introduction to tribal belly dancing. In addition to La Tania, instructors that year included "Cristobal" (who somehow talked me into paying 20 bucks to have him sing a letra of alegrias into a tape recorder...ok - it was a REALLY pretty letra....), Cadiz born bailaor "el Junco" (who also taught the cajon class) and Huelva-native guitar MONSTER Jose Luiz Rodriguez (who was truly one of the most down to earth people I've ever had the pleasure to meet). I met the greatest people, including LA-based dancer Timo Nunez, Austin, TX based Virginia (who taught me some really bad words in sign-language) as well as a bunch of super-great folks from Chicago whom I ended up visiting the following year.

Every now and then I actually hear myself saying "this one time at Flamenco camp....." and know that it was an experience I'll never forget.