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Looking back: a Pilgrimage to New York It's
been a while since I've taken one of those wild one-day flamenco trips
to New York.
The last time for me was in October 2000. Guitarist Tomatito
was performing with pianist Michel Camilo at the world famous
jazz club Blue Note. (Last year this duo won the Grammy award for the
category of "Best Latin Jazz Album") OK, so it wasn't a flamenco show, but for us it was the first time
to hear Tomatito in person. Flamenco or not, without a doubt, it was
a full evening of inspiring musical moments. Guitarist Richard Marlow pulled out his guitar and the late night flamenco fiesta began. Pictured here is singer Lito singing a bulería enthusiastically
accompanied by Richard. Naturally, we carried on until about 4:00am, said our goodbyes and headed to our respective hotels, tired but very content.
Five years later, I'm back in Dupont Circle at a different place, interestingly, it's also on a Monday night. Things are different now: there's a larger and more active flamenco community. Last night was dark and stormy...there was even a severe weather alert. But that didn't stop some of my friends from coming to see my show at Café Citrón. Pictured here is dancer Micaela Moreno with singer Gerárd Moreno (no blood relation). The owners of Café Citrón were the ones running the Montego Bay lounge (now called Mezze) which was very popular among flamenco fans a few years ago when guitarist Richard Marlow and dancer Sara Candela performed there. Yours truly even filled in there a couple of times.
In the new place, Cafe Citrón, flamenco is back...this time in the Dupont Circle area. Located at 1343 Connecticut Ave NW DC. Dupont Circle metro. Call (202)530-8844. Shows are on Monday nights starting around 8:00pm. Between shows the DJ plays Sevillanas CD's.
(Thanks to John Vázquez for the first and third photos. The second photo was taken by yours truly.)
In addition to Escándalo (now closed down), I used to do a show at Cafe Japoné (202-223-1573) in 1996 with Melisa Tomás and Edwin Aparicio. I also filled in for a two weeks at the well-known El Bodegón (now closed down) in 1997 with Micaela Moreno and Edwin. A long time ago, guitarist Torcuato Zamora used to do a show at El Caminante (now closed down) with dancer Tatiana Montenegro among others. I'm sure the "old-timers" out there can help me fill in the other places that I forgot to mention--I'm an old-timer myself having played guitar for every company in the DC flamenco scene for ten years now.]
Six nights a week 
(Sunday September 23, 2001) The DC area currently has a flamenco show (with guitarist and dancer) every night of the week except Sunday. This is not even counting the wonderful Sevillanas shows at Jaleo and the excellent rumba shows at Bambulé, Sole, Chi-Cha Lounge and Las Tapas.Here's the breakdown:
Further details can be found on the calendar page. [Editor's note: I don't know who originally designed the animated flamenco graphic that you see above, but whoever you are, thank you. Flamenco-themed graphics are very hard to find!] |
Tomatito
is pictured above with DC flamencos Richard Marlow, Sara Jerez
and Ramin el Persa. 
Afterwards,
we headed to a nearby neighborhood bar to put the inspiration to use.
There were two other
singers present including the New York-based La Conja.
Pictured here are my friends Puri García, John Vázquez, Marta Chico Martín and Jason Vera y Aragón.
Pictured here is yours truly on guitar with Gerárd and Micaela.