GANDIA AREA SOCIAL CLUB (INTERNATIONAL)

Every Tuesday a small group meets at Viva España for tuition in the art of Flamenco Dancing. We are lucky enough to have Jacqueline as their coach, she is a professional dancer and well skilled in flamenco.

These classes started in February 2007, with 'basic step' then the 'sevillanas' (one of the palos of the flamenco tree - flamenco music styles are called palos in Spanish. There are over 50 different palos flamenco). Later they will learn how to use the castonets and various other set dances.

Tuesday sessions start with warm-up excersises (rolling of shoulders and hips and stretching of body and arms) and hand movements (very important in flamenco). Then the hard work begins - remembering the dance steps and learning new routines.

Flamenco originates from Andalusia, it is part of the musical and cultural tradition now found throughout Spain (the country we now live in). Flamenco is expressed through the toque - the playing of the flamenco guitar, the cante (singing), and the baile (dancing). 'Nuevo Flamenco' is a recent variant of flamenco which has been influenced by modern musical genres, like rumba, salsa, pop, rock and jazz. Other instruments have been introduced, such as the castanets (castañuelas), the Peruvian cajón (a wooden box used as a percussion instrument), introduced by Paco de Lucía in the 1970s and the electric bass.

Various brave souls will be performaing live on the night of our Summer Dance (June 2007). In September 2007 we shall reconvene after an August lull with two classes per week: one for beginners/newcomers and and one for the 'more advanced'

For more information contact Pam on 96 285 4710 or 686 624 223 (or Jacqueline on 96 285 1931 or 610 774 890).

Even though we shall be putting on a small show again this year, there is no obligation to dance in the show, various of our dancers will be taking part and others will not take part, but we all practice together. There will be no pressure either way. Come and enjoy the exercise and routine of practising for a dance.

TUESDAYS
meet at Viva España, 5.15pm for 5.30 start
1 hour session plus extra time for the 'show girls'

Tuesday 3 September
beginners class - if there are sufficient - call jaqueline first on 96 285 1931 or 610 774 890).
meet 4.45 for 5.00 start, 1 hour session

Tuesday 25 December, 1, 8 & 15 January 2008
no classes

Tuesday 22 January
start back again

Friday 1st February cancelled
Flamenco night out to Valencia (with Jaqueline)
for dinner and to see a flamenco show (www.labuleria.com)
by car or coach (depending on numbers), price arounbd 45€
names and deposit by Thursday 24 january
contact: Pam 96 285 4710

Monday 25 February
no class on Tuesday 4th March for either group

Tuesday 11 March
classes as normal (5.15 & 6.30pm)

Tuesday 1 & 8 April
class for show dancers only (5.15)

Thursday 10 April
the show (after dinner at 8.30) lots of photos

Tuesday 29 April
NO class

Friday 2 April
class - normal time (5.15 & 6.30pm)