Flamenco – Fake Flamenco

bilingual, En español, photography, Spanish, Spanish Culture and Language

Flamenco at the 2023 Madison International Festival

The first weekend of April was a real treat. My favorite spring cultural festival featured dancers and singers from around the world; Asia, Africa, the Middle East, India, Europe and the Americas. I saw Scottish bagpipers, Chinese dancers, and an art form close to my heart, flamenco. Tania Tandias does a marvelous job teaching flamenco […]

bilingual, En español, Spanish Culture and Language

Spanish Princess Awards 2 Flamenco Legends

Two women leaders of modern flamenco were honored last month with the Princess of Asturias award by HRH Leonor of Spain. In the Arts category, two flamenco fabulosas won the prize: Carmen Linares and María Pagés. Ms. Linares is one of the most iconic women cantaors (flamenco singers) and Ms. Pagés is a renowned dancer […]

bilingual, Spanish Culture and Language

Year 12: Home School Spanish

As a teen, I remember making flash cards to memorize Spanish vocabulary. That was a lot of work, but learning verb conjugations was even harder. I swore if I had children, I’d introduce them to the language and spare them some drudgery. I’m happy to say that I have. I began speaking Spanish to our […]

blogging, writing

Celebrating My 300th Post!

This milestone is 30 months in the making! In the last nine months I’ve blogged every three days. That is a good rhythm for me. To celebrate I’ve written a silly poem about Fake Flamenco. Fake Flamenco Free as a worda squeaky cheese curdSpanish sound for vowelsflamingo pink fowlsDancin’ flamencoyes don’t you say noclap with […]

Latinas, Life as a Woman, Spanish Culture and Language

Who’s Your Favorite Chicana Writer?

One of my favorite Chicana novelists and poets is Ana Castillo. I adore how she incorporates details she’s observed from daily life into her stories. In the book of hers I read recently, Peel My Love Like an Onion (1999), the example of cleaning out an older relative’s refrigerator; the open cans, the frying pans […]

Spanish Culture and Language

5 Cool Facts about Inclusive Flamenco

I’ve found another reason to love flamenco. A Spanish choreographer began a company to make this passionate dance accessible to people with disabilities. The results are moving and beautiful. José Galán began the Flamenco Inclusivo movement in 2010. José is dedicated to focusing on what his students can do, rather than what they cannot. His […]