It was rumored that it would reopen in another location, but that has not happened.

I was fortunate to have seen Paco de Málaga and Ana Martínez performing there when I first arrived in the DC area in 1991—my first taste of authentic flamenco in the DC area!

In February 1997, I had the privilege of performing there for six nights with dancers Micaela Moreno and Edwin Aparicio. (Below are are a few pictures)

Today if you go to the corner of 17th and R, you can still see the neon sign that says "Flamenco Show." It's a different place now...a tavern with a completely different name. And if you go inside, there is no flamenco show, no more.

-Miguelito

Photos: dancers Micaela Moreno and Edwin Aparicio take a moment for a picture before going down to do a show, Miguelito in the bar, Miguelito and Micaela in the bar with friends classical guitarist Greg Yorba and flamenco dancer from Australia (far left).

El Bodegón was a popular CIA hangout in the late 60's and 70's

-W M Young

Natalia Monteleón (danced at El Bodegón 1976-1990's)

"I started there as a substitute for a girl named Mica, in 1976. Shortly afterwards she decided to move out of town, and they were stuck with me until they could find a professional. At that time all I could do were Sevillanas, fandangos, and 2/3 of an alegrías.

They never found a replacement, and I stayed there for years and years, working with the renowned Carlos Ramos, who truly opened my eyes to what Flamenco really is, how the guitar and dancer function together, and all those other subtle points, that one cannot learn in dance classes.

At the same time, I continued studying with Ana Martinez, Raquel Peña, dancing in their companies, and doing shows. I can truly say that el Bodegón made me a dancer.

I can't even begin to tell you how much fun we had. In those days, it was still under the original ownership of Adelina Callahan, it had been her family home at one time, and her parents were the founders of Casa Pena, across the street. Her husband Bob, was a regular one man show himself.

The waiters were all professionals, mostly Spanish, made a lot of money in those days, and were super funny to be with. At the end of the night, no one wanted to leave, we would all hang out together, have a few drinks on the house, and clown around. In the summer, the Callahans would invite us all out to their beach house on the bay for crabs, boats, and swimming.

My introduction to Spanish language, culture, humor, all came from el Bodegón, (in addition to my continuing education in the dance). My dearest friends were Carlos Ramos (now deceased), and his wife, Mari-Carmen who made all of our costumes in those days.

My son, (now 28), used to bring his Star Wars* toys. I had a portable TV and a garden lounge chair for him in the dressing room, (which went from the 3rd floor, to the 2nd floor over the years).

In the early days, there was no bar for the public, just a service bar, which also housed the cash register. This was in the basement, and was the focus of all our after hours partying.

What later became the bar was originally a dining room. They had 3 dining rooms, and the Bodegón was really the hot spot, using all 3 dining rooms for 2 seatings, making that 6 shows a night on weekends.

You know what I was paid? $25.00 a night!

Two years ago, my son walked into a restaurant in Madrid owned by a former waiter, and dear friend from el Bodegón days -- Pepe. When Damon told Pepe who he was, (not having seen him since he was little), Pepe exclaimed "I used to carry you from the dressing room to your Mom's car!"

After a few years they hired Ana & Paco (can't say that I blame them!), and over the succeeding years, as people changed positions around town, I went back working on and off for almost 20 years. I saw it through three changes of ownership, and was there when the youngest owner, José Antonio, died tragically in a motor cycle accident.

Toward the end of my el Bodegón career, I was subbing for Ana, working on her day off, and her vacations. I finally stopped in the early 90's when my Dad became ill.

In addition to all the unbelievable good times we had, I can say that el Bodegón made me into a flamenco dancer, more than any other one thing."

-Natalia

Editor's note: Natalia directs her own dance company, Arte Flamenco, and is based in Laurel, Maryland where she also teaches at her private dance studio. To inquire about classes or performances visit her website at www.arteflamenco.us

Thomas de la Cruz

I was fortunate enough to accompany a dancer by the name of Guillermo Caballero, who was in fact not from Spain, but he had incredible technique in every aspect. I was pushed to my limit just to keep up with him every performance. This, I feel, was God's gift to my experience to the ultimate true experience of what flamenco represents to my soul.

I had a great time at EL-BOAT-AGONE, and maybe when I check out here, I'll do it again!

P.S. Thanks for the memories Bob and Adelina (and Pourron)..."

Natalia Monteleón elaborates...

In addition to accompanying Guillermo and his wife Gina, Tomás also played at all of the other Flamenco tablados that were around at the time: el Tío Pepe, Torremolinos, Restaurante Madrid (Baltimore), others in Virginia and on Connecticut Ave that I don't even remember the names of, but it was certainly el Bodegón that played the most important [part] in the development of all of us as both artists and as an introduction to Spanish culture.

By the way - el Boat-a-gone was the logo that the owner Bob Callahan, had on his T-shirt. Tomás - glad to hear that you didn't disappear off the face of the earth!"

Saundra

I don't know where you got your information about the Townhouse Tavern from, but it is WRONG.

Evidently you have never visited Townhouse Tavern. It is not a "gay" bar. It is located in Dupont Circle where it just so happens that a lot of gay people live along with a lot of straight people including myself. Oh, and we all get along VERY well.

I am a straight female and a regular at Townhouse Tavern where the staff is 100% straight, and at least 90% of the patrons are straight.

I also frequent a lot of the gay bars in the neighborhood. As a matter of fact I am the hostess at a gay bar in the Dupont Circle area.

Townhouse is located next door to what used to be Cobolt, which was a gay bar until it mysteriously burned down a few years ago. It is the process of being rehabed by the owner of JR's which is a gay bar. Perhaps the person who gave you your information got them mixed up.

I suggest that you pay a visit to Townhouse Tavern and check it out sometime.

And in the future, please check your facts and get them straight before publishing them. Who do you think you are the Washington Post, NY Times, or the Wall Street Journal, publications well known for getting their facts WRONG..."

[Editor's note: Townhouse Tavern is the name of the establishment housed in the former El Bodegón. On another page in the DCFLAMENCO website I mistakenly referred to the Townhouse Tavern as a gay bar. My thanks to Saundra for the correction.]

Do you have a story about El Bodegón that you'd like to share? Send it to me and I may publish here for other DC flamencos to read.

*Star Wars® is a trademark of Lucasfilm Ltd.