DCFLAMENCO - Flamenco in Washington DC

Miguelito's Photo Diary

February 9, 2004 - February 14, 2004

Cafe Citron February 9, 2004
Pics from Monica Serrano February 10, 2004
Pics from Niko February 11, 2004
Pics from Niko February 12, 2004
Pink Flamenco February 13, 2004
Bambule February 13, 2004
Buon Appetito February 14, 2004

Buon Appetito February 14, 2004

For the second week in a row, I got an extra private gig, YAY! This certainly helps financially, considering I have one less show each week since they cancelled the one at Cafe Citron.

Last night's performance took place at Buon Appetito restaurant (202-966-1600966-1600), across the street from DC Dance Collective, with guitarist Richard Marlow and his wife, dancer Sara Jerez-Marlow--sorry no pics from the show. Where are my photographers when I need them? :) This restaurant has presented a few shows in the past. I'll announce the next one which may be coming up soon.

Since the show didn't start until 10:00pm, I had time to stop by Bambule (a few blocks north of Buon Appetito) to hear my friends guitarists Amilcar Cruz and Michael Bard performing rumbas--and I ran into Joanna Szczepanska, one of the "managers" of the Pink Flamenco studio. I also ran into Ken McNaughton, a loyal fan and supporter of the local flamenco scene.

Joanna and Miguelito at Bambule. February 14, 2004 9:49pm (photo by Ken McNaughton)

Tula, Sara Jerez-Marlow, Richard Marlow, John Alexander Marlow and Miguelito at Buon Appetito. February 14, 2004 11:09pm (photo by Ramin)

Musically speaking, it was a very enjoyable evening for me because it was the first time in a while that Richard and I performed in a flamenco show together. Afterwards, I spent the rest of the night being productive by checking out some other clubs in Adams-Morgan in search of a new gig.

If you run into Richard, tell him Feliz cumpleaños! It's his birthday today, February 15th.

Bambule February 13, 2004

Before heading out to Adams-Morgan to check out some clubs, my friends and I stopped by Bambule (202-966-0300) for a few drinks and some guitaristic inspiration from Michael Bard and Richard Marlow. They've come up with some beautiful musical arrangements for two guitars and they've added a drum machine to the "band." Shows on Fridays and Saturdays around 8:00pm-11:00pm.

Michael and Richard at Bambule. February 13, 2004 9:51pm

February 13, 2004 9:55pm

February 13, 2004 10:01pm

February 13, 2004 10:04pm

Guitarist Steve Svoboda, Miguelito, dancers Linette and Shahram Tehranian at a club called Mezé (2437 18th St NW DC). No live music here on Fridays, but still a fun place.

At one point while we were at Meze, someone came up to me and said, "Hey, you're the guitarist at Cafe Citron, right? Great show!"

OK, so I got a little ego boost from the recognition, but more importantly, it was good to hear that someone other than my flamenco friends will miss the show at Cafe Citron. February 14, 2004 2:00am

At this club called Bossa (2463 18th St NW DC) they have a Brazilian band with a keyboardist instead of a guitarist. February 14, 2004 2:33am The club next door, Rumba Cafe (2443 18th St NW DC) has an excellent Brazilian group--but you'll especially enjoy the excellent guitar playing and soothing vocals.

Seriously, I'll have to make this one of my regular Friday night destinations. Who knows? Maybe in a few months, I'll start up the DC Bossa Nova website. :) Actually, while I was studying guitar in college, I did fall in love with Bossa Nova for a while.

I highly recommend taking a "breather" from flamenco every now and then and check out some other kinds of music. Lots of beautiful stuff out there that you shouldn't miss! ;-) You might "come back" to flamenco with a fresh perspective.

Pink Flamenco February 13, 2004

Today at the Pink Flamenco studio in Chevy Chase, I met with a dancer who had never worked with live music before. This person took the initiative to call me and setup a meeting to give it a first try. I admire that. Assuming you've got the basics down, it's an important next step in becoming a better dancer--learning how to interact with the music.

All the classes and practicing with pre-recorded music certainly helps prepare, but ultimately one realizes that when it comes down to it, it's just you and the guitarist (and the singer, if there is one). You have to know your steps so well that you can devote your attention to how they relate to the music and musically interact with the guitarist and singer.

As a flamenco guitarist, I'm accustomed to having one, two or usually no rehearsal before a tablao show with a dancer. So I'm leaning heavily on the dancer to know her/his stuff. I create the music on the spot depending on where the dancer musically leads me. It's a challenge for both parties but it's very artistically satisfying when it's done right.

I'm available for one-on-one practice sessions for dancers interested in taking that next step in improving. Think of it as a private dance lesson with a guitarist who'll tell you from his point of view what he needs from you, in terms of musicality, to accompany you. Email me and I'll give you the details.

February 13, 2004 5:41pm

February 13, 2004 5:42

February 13, 2004 5:43pm Yeah, these are all self-portraits using the infrared remote control for my digital camera.

Pics from Niko February 12, 2004

Edwin Aparicio, Sara Candela, Miguelito and Gerardo Moreno. February 9, 2004

Sara, Edwin, Miguelito and Gerardo. February 9, 2004

Miguelito, Gerardo and Edwin. February 9, 2004

Marta Chico Martin, Anna Menendez, Sara Candela and Miguelito. February 9, 2004

Sara, Edwin, Miguelito and Gerardo. February 9, 2004

Sara, Edwin and Miguelito. February 9, 2004

Edwin, Miguelito and Gerardo. February 9, 2004

Sara, Edwin, Miguelito and Gerard. February 9, 2004

Sara, Edwin, Miguelito and Gerardo. February 9, 2004

Sara, Miguelito and Gerardo. February 9, 2004

Sara, Jason Vera y Aragon, Edwin, Miguelito, Gerardo and Bruno Kelpsas. February 9, 2004

Sara, Jason, Edwin, Miguelito, Gerardo. February 9, 2004

Sara, Jason, Edwin, Miguelito, Gerardo and Bruno. February 9, 2004

Sara, Miguelito and Gerardo. February 9, 2004

Sara, Jason and Miguelito. February 9, 2004

Soheila la Persa, Marta Chico Martin, Jason, Edwin and Sara. February 9, 2004

Marta, Soheila, Jason, Sara and Miguelito. February 9, 2004

Grisella Martinez and Miguelito. February 9, 2004

Miguelito, Stephen Svoboda, Bruno and Marta. February 9, 2004

Pics from Niko February 11, 2004

Sara Candela, Miguelito and Gerard Moreno. February 9, 2004

Sara and Miguelito. February 9, 2004

Sara, Miguelito and Gerard. February 9, 2004

Edwin Aparicio. February 9, 2004

Sara, Miguelito and Gerard. February 9, 2004

Sara, Miguelito and Gerard. February 9, 2004

Edwin, Sara, Miguelito and Gerard. February 9, 2004

Edwin, Sara and Miguelito. February 9, 2004

Pics from Monica Serrano February 10, 2004

Monica Serrano, manager of the Andalucia Restaurant sent me a few pics from the past week. Thanks Monica!

Dancers Cerritos and Gigi with Miguelito at the Andalucia Restaurant. February 5, 2004

Gigi and Monica at Andalucia. February 5, 2004

Monica with a singer and guitarist from Compañía Andaluza de Danza backstage at Lisner Auditorium. February 8, 2004

Cafe Citron February 9, 2004

It was the last night for flamenco at Cafe Citron. The show is now officially cancelled. Many of my flamenco friends showed up and we went out with a bang. Thanks to everyone for their support over the past two and a half years of flamenco at Cafe Citron.

I spent most of the morning that day sending out individual emails to people inviting them to come to Cafe Citron. So many of them came, I'm sure I ended up neglecting a few. If I didn't take the time say hello and express my gratitude, I apologize.

Aref Alvandy took many of the photos. Thanks Aref! I had some other photographers that night too, but I lost track, so this time around I'm not going to include photo credits.

My good friend Steve Svoboda deserves the credit for the idea of inviting all my friends to pack the place one last time. Thanks Steve!

Paula, Katherine and Miguelito. February 9, 2004 Katherine is a friend of mine that I first met several weeks ago at Cafe Citron and she's been a semi-regular here. Besides performing onstage, one of biggest things I'll miss about this gig is meeting new friends and introducing them to flamenco.

Mia, Carlton and Elena. February 9, 2004 Elena is dance student who has performed with Micaela Mar's Danzamarina

Friends of singer Gerard Moreno. February 9, 2004

Unidentified friend with guitarists Jason Marcincski and Behzad Habibzai. February 9, 2004 Having fellow flamenco musicians like Jason and Behzad in the audience always inspires me to play my best. Thanks guys!

Dancers Lisa Scott, Nicole Totah and Anna Menendez. February 9, 2004

Dancers Marta Chico Martin and Soheila la Persa in Sevillanas. February 9, 2004 When we have fellow flamencos in the audience we invite them to get up onstage to dance either Sevillanas or bulerias. This time around, we did a mini-marathon of Sevillanas. With everyone giving palmas and jaleo, we had a very energetic little fiesta going on and really caught the attention of the whole crowd.

Dancers Mariya and Carlton Ashton in Sevillanas. February 9, 2004 That's Jason Vera y Aragon playing cajon.

Dancer Sara Candela performing solea. February 9, 2004

Dancer Edwin Aparicio in alegrías. February 9, 2004

Carlton and Edwin. February 9, 2004

Carlton and Sara. February 9, 2004

Juan Delgado and Jason exchanging falsetas. February 9, 2004

Jason. February 9, 2004 I always like taking pictures of guitars at this angle.

Marta Chico Martin and Jason Vera y Aragon. February 9, 2004 Regulars at Jaleo Bethesda will recognize this couple. They perform there every Tuesday night. A few minutes ago, the DJ slipped in a Sevillanas CD and kicked-up our flamenco party up a notch.