Feria de Sevilla for a day at La Tasca Old Town

Flamenco guitarist Miguelito playing an intro for bulerías. April 28, 2012 (photo by Steve Johnson)

It's 2-something pm on Thursday as I type these words. I know I've been slackin' on the blog. What can I say? Business has been picking up and I've been getting a lot of private gigs lately, not to mention rehearsals for the Arte Flamenco recital and this weekend's big event, the DC Feria de Sevilla at Strathmore.

The last time I blogged was in April and today's the last day in May so I figure I should at least crank one out so I can still claim I blog at least once a month. Here goes!

Sarah Louisa performing tientos/tangos. April 28, 2012 (photo by Steve Johnson)

First of all, let me digress for a moment to promote this weekend's DC Feria de Sevilla which takes place Sunday June 3, 2012 on the grounds of Strathmore in Bethesda, Maryland. It's the DC area's biggest and most anticipated celebration of Spanish culture featuring flamenco performances all afternoon from noon until 6:00pm. Here's the program:

• 12:15pm Opening ceremony: "Salve Rociera"
• 1:00pm Carmen de Vicente's "Requiebros"
• 2:00pm Edwin Aparicio's "Flamenco Aparicio"
• 3:00pm Natalia Monteleón's "Arte Flamenco"
• 4:00pm Ana Martínez & Paco de Málaga "Ana Martínez Flamenco Dance Company"
• 5:00pm Estela Velez's "Furia Flamenca"

This is the 21st year it's been presented by Centro Español de Washington. Admission is free and it's convenienty located next to the Strathmore/Grosvenor metro station on the Red Line.

I've been posting about the DC Feria all over Facebook and Twitter the past few weeks and now here on my (in)famous flamenco blog so unless you live under a rock, I don't want to hear anyone whine that they didn't hear about this, OK?

Sarah Louisa, Pam de Ocampo, Kyoko and Sara Jerez dancing Sevillanas. April 28, 2012 (photo by Steve Johnson)

Now where was I? Oh yeah, I was going to say a few words to accompany the gorgeous photos in today's blog. Thanks are in order for my awesome photographer friend, Steve Johnson, for allowing me to republish some of his fine work here. Thank you Steve!

So what's this about a Feria de Sevilla at La Tasca Old Town? Managing partner Shana McKillop, always the innovator, first introduced the idea of live guitar for the Sevillanas shows here at the Old Town location. All the other branches use recorded music. Yeah it costs more to have live music but it adds so much to the energy of the show when you have a real musician!

Months ago Shana approached me and dancer Sara Jerez with the idea of putting on our own Feria. Mind you, this was in no way an attempt to compete with the Feria at Strathmore, but more to have some fun, promote Spanish culture, bring in some new customers and show some appreciation for the regulars.

April 28, 2012 (photo by Steve Johnson)

But La Tasca Old Town already features live music and flamenco dancers every week. So for this special celebration, we decided to kick it up a notch. Instead of two dancers, we'd have four. Instead of Sevillanas shows, we'd do full-length tablao shows with occasional "spontaneous" Sevillanas shows when the mood struck.

This all took place during the day on Saturday April 28th with tablao shows at 1:00pm and 3:00pm featuring flamenco dancers Sarah Louisa, Pam de Ocampo, Kyoko and Sara Jerez accompanied on guitar by yours truly, Miguelito.

Sarah Louisa. April 28, 2012 (photo by Steve Johnson)

View from the balcony as the dancers perform Sevillanas. April 28, 2012 (photo by Steve Johnson)

Between shows, customers were encouraged to try free samples of cheese and jamón Serrano tapas, Spanish beers and wines at the table displays in the back.

Around 4:00pm it was time for me to pack up my sound system, just as my fellow flamenco guitarist friends arrived: Richard Marlow, Ramin Rad and "Naíto." From 4:00pm until 7:00pm they played Gipsy Kings-style rumbas.

April 28, 2012 (photo by Steve Johnson)

More Sevillanas dancing accompanied on guitar by yours truly, Miguelito! April 28, 2012 (photo by Steve Johnson)

For those of you new to the DC flamenco scene, La Tasca used to feature tablao shows every week at their Chinatown branch way back in 2004. I know this because I was the guitarist for that show! And it so happens that the manager of that La Tasca branch was Shana! Fast forward 8 years later to 2012, I'm back playing Sevillanas shows (for about a year now) at the Old Town location.

April 28, 2012 (photo by Steve Johnson)

April 28, 2012 (photo by Steve Johnson)

So will there be another Feria de Sevilla at La Tasca Old Town for 2013? Don't know yet, but you can be sure I'll announce it here. As for the other La Tasca locations, DC also held its own Feria by presenting Sevillanas shows EVERY night for the month of May. Also Taberna del Alabardero had its own Feria celebration with paella specials and flamenco shows too!

April 28, 2012 (photo by Steve Johnson)

April 28, 2012 (photo by Steve Johnson)

That's yours truly on guitar (connected wirelessly) following the dancers around the restaurant. April 28, 2012 (photo by Steve Johnson)

One last shot of dancer Sarah Louisa performing tientos/tangos. April 28, 2012 (photo by Steve Johnson)

In the meantime, stop by La Tasca Old Town on Thursday nights at 7:30pm and 9:00pm to enjoy the Sevillanas shows featuring dancer Sara Jerez and guest with guitarist Miguelito.

As for this weekend, I expect to see all of you at the DC Feria de Sevilla at Strathmore. I will be taking attendance!

Other flamenco performances this weekend:

• 12:00pm Saturday: Flamenco Aparicio at Washington Folk Festival at Glen Echo Park
• 2:00pm Saturday: Furia Flamenca at Washington Folk Festival at Glen Echo Park
• 7:00pm Saturday: Flamenco dancer Ginette and guitarist Miguelito at Plaza del Sol in Bethesda
• 12:00pm to 6:00pm Sunday: DC Feria de Sevilla at Strathmore.
• 5:00pm Sunday: Roya & Ricardo Persian & Flamenco Fusio at Washington Folk Festival at Glen Echo Park