The entree and appetizer choices were Italian. Started off with some wine: me, Sangiovese, Santa Cristina, Italy '02; her, Esperto Pinot Grigio, Italy '03. Speaking for myself, I'm not an oenophile (Iook it up), but I'd say we made some good choices!

Classic tomato bruschetta with fresh basil. May 10, 2006 6:55pm

The bruschetta was good but c'mon. It's just two pieces of good quality bread rubbed with tomatoes, drizzled in olive oil and topped with basil. Never mind. My mouth is watering just thinking about right now. :-)

Program. May 10, 2006 7:02pm

I was so much into enjoying our food I didn't even bother to open up the program. Of course, I left mine with my friend who put it in her purse, so for now, I don't have the names of the musicians. Anyhoo, I was in the mood for some pasta and I seriously needed some protein so I got the dish with the meatballs--good hearty stuff that went well with the Sangiovese.

Orechiette pasta with homemade meatballs, tomato sauce and shaved pecorino cheese. May 10, 2006 7:04pm

She was in the mood for something light so my friend got the mussels. You'd think that with all the shells that in the end there's not much meat, right? But no, it was very filling and she had to enlist my help in eating part of it because it was too much. Hehe...the things I do for my friends. :-)

Prince Edward Island mussels in a spicy tomato sauce. May 10, 2006 7:04pm

There was a couple seated next to us who would've blocked my camera shots during the show. So I took a moment to introduce myself and my friend and gave them the heads up I'd be taking pics in their direction and not to freak out that they'll show up on some random pornographic site, but rather a very well-known flamenco info source, DCFLAMENCO.COM!

As you can see in this first pic, Juan Polvillo made his entrance for his alegrias. In the foreground, are the water and cocktail glasses of the neighboring table. Ugh.

Juan Polvillo in alegrias. May 10, 2006 7:43pm

That one black straw presented a challenge, but I couldn't bring myself to ask them to move it. I figured I could find another more suitable camera angle when the dancers moved to other parts of the stage.

May 10, 2006 7:47pm

As much as I like cajon, it was refreshing not to hear one for a change. My problem with it is that it can sound so much like footwork that it could take away some of the impact of the dancer or even make the dancer sound better than he is. Instead this cuadro had a tabla player which of course sounds nothing at all like footwork. It was clear which percussive sounds were the tabla and which were the footwork. Of course, it took me a little while to get accustomed to it.

Throughout the evening I was pondering how this was a fusion of flamenco and kathak. Unfortunately, I didn't read the program notes. Oh well, so I'll have to just give you my gut reactions instead of informed opinion. First off, I don't know much about kathak other than it's Indian origins and the fact that it's freer in movement than its cousin, Bharatanatyam. To me sounded like a regular flamenco cuadro, same guitar music, same cante, same palmas, same jaleo but they just pulled out the cajonista and slipped in a tabla player who added his unique, and spicy I might add, rhythmic flavor.

Of course, I enjoyed this instrumental combination, but I'm not sure I'd label it a fusion. For me, a true fusion would require the flamencos and the kathak to both venture out of their respective musical realms and meet at least halfway. For this performance, or musical stew if I may use that analogy (my mind's on food now), the tabla was an exotic spice added just before setting the dish on the table. I would've preferred if this "spice" was added earlier in the stewing process so that the flavors would mix together a lot more.

Maha Akhtar in seguiriyas. May 10, 2006 8:01pm

That's about the only criticism I'd have to offer. Otherwise, it was an enjoyable evening of flamenco. For me, that means more than just technical perfection. While I appreciate good technique, I want to be emotionally moved on some level. As an audience member I'd rather see an inspired performance where the dancers and musicians interacted and responded to each other's artistry. That's what I saw and experienced!

May 10, 2006 8:11pm

Instrumental featuring the tabla player. May 10, 2006 8:26pm

Juan and Maha in taranto. May 10, 2006 8:32pm

May 10, 2006 8:37pm

Applause and bows. May 10, 2006 8:46pm

As we were leaving, I noticed a familiar face in line for the 9:30pm show. It was Damaris, the New York correspondent for Flamenco Buzz (another well-known flamenco website which I'm proud to say I had a hand in getting started in 1998). Anyhoo, I talked to her briefly, had my friend take a pic of us, and learned that she was going to review the show. Check it out on the Buzz.

Miguelito and Damaris "La Gata," New York correspondent for Flamenco Buzz. May 10, 2006 9:11pm

We said goodnight to Damaris and took a leisurely walk down the lively Saint Marks St nearby. As you can see in this last pic, my eyes were half-open. The combination of waking up early, walking for miles, and the heavy but delicious meal took it's toll on me. My heart wanted me to go on enjoying the evening exploring NYC with my friend until at least midnight, but my body said no. And my body won over. :-) We called it an early night. I'll continue this later...