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 Miguelito's Photo DiaryDecember 31, 2003 - January 15, 2004
Andalucia January 15, 2004 Historical trivia: The Andalucia Restaurant has continuously featured a weekly flamenco show since 1997 with students of the late Ena Camargo. This is longer than any other restaurant in the DC area, except El Bodegon which closed in 1997. Dancers Gigi Ortega and Guadalupe Cerritos perform every week. Guest dancers have included Edwin Aparicio, Aleksey Kulikov, Marta Chico Martin and [Name removed for privacy] (did I leave any names out?). Guitarist Richard Marlow did his first restaurant gig here. Guest guitarists have included Lee Aube, Tom Cotton, Amilcar Cruz, Gerard Moreno and Behzad Habibzai. 
Guadalupe Cerritos and guest dancer Ginette dancing Sevillanas at the Andalucia Restaurant. January 15, 2004 8:09pm (photo by Sofia Gaggero) 
Ginette performing solea por bulerias. January 15, 2004 8:13pm (photo by Sofia Gaggero) 
Ginette performing tangos as yours truly plays the cajon. January 15, 2004 8:31pm (photo by Sofia Gaggero) 
Guadalupe dancing Farruca. January 15, 2004 8:33pm (photo by Sofia Gaggero) 
Guadalupe. January 15, 2004 8:34pm (photo by Sofia Gaggero) 
Ginette in bulerias. January 15, 2004 8:38pm (photo by Sofia Gaggero) 
Audience joining in with palmas. January 15, 2004 8:40pm (photo by Sofia Gaggero) 
Guadalupe, Miguelito and Ginette. January 15, 2004 9:50pm (photo by Aref Alvandy) Day off January 14, 2004 Yeah, I meant to have some pictures from Tuesday night's show at Las Tapas, but I didn't get around to finding someone to take pictures for me. Although sometimes I'll just be bold and pull out my camera in the middle of the show and take a picture from the stage, but that's kind of tacky, don't you think? (I did this once at the Baltimore Hispanic Festival a few years ago.) Some of my usual options for my Wednesday off is to go to Toro Tapas and El Pike, like I did last week or catch up with friends and family I've neglected the rest of the week. Here's how I spent my day off: 
I had to meet the restaurant owner at 10:30am, ugh! That's early for me. I was scoping out a possible gig. January 14, 2004 11:54am It's a nice intimate space, but where am I going to put the tablao? 
Construction is coming along at the Clarendon (Arlington) branch of La Tasca. January 14, 2004 2:19pm So far, no news of a possible flamenco show there. Stay tuned for updates. At around 5:00pm I rehearsed with dancer Guadalupe Cerritos at the Pink Flamenco studio for a few hours. Guess what? No pics. Where are my volunteer photographers when I need them? As soon as I make enough money doing this website thing, I'll have to hire a full-time photographer. :) 
I'm one of those people who does his best work late at night. Unfortunately, when I practice guitar at 4:00am I have to play very softly so I don't wake my housemates downstairs, although considering they're flamenco dancers, they should be up here with me doing palmas etc. January 15, 2004 3:58am On the left you can see the Wacom Mouse Tablet that's a great tool for Photoshop editing. And yes, I am practicing guitar in front of the computer. I'm a multi-tasking kind of guy. 
Ah...the satisfaction of figuring out a problematic falseta. January 15, 2004 4:00am I'm using my Esteve flamenco guitar. The framed picture in the background is the November 2002 cover of On Tap magazine depicting yours truly with dancers Marta Chico Martin and Karen Araujo. If you want an autographed copy, just email me. :) Cafe Citron January 12, 2004 Of course, I always enjoy performing flamenco at all my shows--it's the best job in the world when you get paid to do what you love. But some nights are especially better than others. I'm not talking about technical perfection--although that certainly doesn't hurt. This evening, I felt that I was "connecting" with Sara and Gerard especially well. In an ideal situation, nothing has to be verbally explained between the artists. The dancer communicates through the movements, rhythms and tempo exactly what she wants from the guitarist for musical support. When the guitarist plays a falseta with the right kind of aire and some interesting rhythmic variations, the dancer might be inspired to extend a section with some spontaneous movements. Instead of thinking to myself, "OK, this is the escobilla section. Next comes the second letra...." I'm creating the accompaniment as the dance and cante unfolds. The choregraphy is more or less the same from week to week, but I absolutely refuse to memorize it. Otherwise I'd be tempted to play the same music and interpretation every single time which can be boring and lifeless--very un-flamenco. Besides, I regularly play for more dancers than any other guitarist in DC, so it's likely that I'll get the choreographies confused from one dancer to the next (it's happened a number of times). So what's the solution? Treat every performance as if you were accompanying it for the first time and concentrate, keep your eyes and ears open for split-second "detours" because the dancer and singer can change the routine without warning. For this reason you can truly enjoy the local tablao shows from week to week. It's the same choreography but a slightly different interpretation each time filled with the energy that comes from "living in the moment." Wink, wink, hint, hint: support your local artists and go to at least one tablao show every week. 
Al and Micaela Jewell, Sara Candela at Cafe Citron. January 12, 2004 8:16pm Yes you heard right. Micaela is now married. Congratulations Micaela and Al! She also is a flamenco dancer who performed every Tuesday (and Wednesday) at Las Tapas for a few years--until her day job schedule made it difficult to keep up with shows. She's working on a solution and she'll be back onstage again performing flamenco somewhere hopefully soon! 
Micaela and Sara Candela dancing Sevillanas at Cafe Citron. January 12, 2004 8:29pm The red stage light makes Sara's dress shimmer. Nice! (photo by Steve Svoboda) 
January 12, 2004 8:30pm (photo by Steve Svoboda) 
January 12, 2004 8:31pm (photo by Steve Svoboda) 
The cool people (regular supporters of local tablaos): Traci, Steve Svoboda and Miguelito. January 12, 2004 8:54pm This is one of those self-portrait pics where I'm holding the camera with my left hand. 
Sara dancing Guajiras. January 12, 2004 8:46pm (photo by Steve Svoboda) 
More cool people: Miguelito, Katherine, Micaela and Carlton Ashton. January 12, 2004 9:38pm Recently arrived from Miami, Katherine is hoping to start taking flamenco dance classes soon. (photo by a friendly passerby) 
Sara dancing solea. January 12, 2004 9:54pm (photo by Steve Svoboda) 
January 12, 2004 9:55pm (photo by Steve Svoboda) 
Sara, Miguelito and Gerardo Moreno. January 12, 2004 9:56pm The new paint job really complements the look of the show. But I wish we could get rid of the coat rack behind the stage, ugh! (photo by Steve Svoboda) 
January 12, 2004 10:01pm This is a classic flamenco pose. Nicely done Sara! (photo by Steve Svoboda) 
In this close-up, note how the right hand fingertips strike the palm of the left hand, the arms are positioned away from the body and held up at about eye level. This is the technique for palmas secas or loud handclapping. I may be "just a guitarist" but you might be surprised how much I've learned (and forgotten) having accompanied hundreds of dance classes over the past 13 years. 
A dramatic moment in solea. January 12, 2004 10:03pm 
Traci, Steve and Carlton. January 12, 2004 10:42pm Thanks for taking pictures Steve. Now you know what brand of beer Steve likes. If you see Carlton, tell him ¡Feliz Cumpleaños! It's his birthday today. American Dance Institute/Jim's Jam session January 10, 2004 
American Dance Institute. January 10, 2004 11:51am I'm wearing a turtleneck because it's very cold out today and I'm trying to avoid getting sick. Still, I think I may have caught the flu virus. (That's teacher/dancer Anna Menendez in the mirror.) For the first two hours of dance classes, I had to play Sevillanas the whole time. After exhausting my Sevillanas repertoire, I started moving the cejilla around to change the pitch for a little musical variety. Note to self: learn some new Sevillanas melodies. 
January 10, 2004 11:55am This Sevillanas "marathon" is starting to annoy me. Can you tell? :) I'll get over it: it's a paying gig and it still beats having to work a regular day job anytime! Do you think I should go to the party tonight even if I'm sick? Yeah...why not? I'll just sleep in all day on Sunday and get better. :) 
Ten hours later: it's party time! Just arrived. Check out all the musical instruments: seven guitars or guitar-like instruments and a keyboard. January 10, 2004 10:28pm Jim, Steve, RJ and I are the only flamenco musicians at this party. As far as I know, everyone else plays music in other genres. [Photo removed for privacy]
Steve Svoboda and [Name removed for privacy] listen as RJ talks about his recent trip to Chicago where he was checking out the flamenco scene. January 10, 2004 10:46pm 
We've been jamming for more than an hour already! January 11, 2004 12:27am First I led the group through Carlos Santana's Europa as a rumba, then Entre Dos Aguas and another rumba version of Hotel California before letting them move on to some classic rock standards. For a short while, the jazz guitarist (seated to my left) improvised over the chords as I played a solea escobilla--to a jazz guitarist it probably sounds like a waltz in E phrygian mode. (photo by Steve Svoboda) 
Guitarist Jim Evans, RJ and bass player Enrique. January 11, 2004 1:23am RJ's ready to go home. I should go too, get home early and get some rest. In any case, I made an impression on a few new friends, handed out some business cards with my website address on it. I might be able to convert them to flamenco. My work here is done. :) 
All packed up and ready to go--that's RJ's guitar case on the right. As you can see, we had a little piece of wood for the dancers but never got around to using it. Actually, now I realize that, aside from [Name removed for privacy], there were no dancers at the party anyway. January 11, 2004 1:28am Toro Tapas/El Pike January 7, 2004 Although I was told that they only have flamenco every other week at Toro Tapas, it turns out that, for the past two months, the audience demanded flamenco every Wednesday. So that's the way it's been: flamenco every week. Still, just to be sure, call Toro Tapas 703-379-0502 ahead of time to confirm if they have flamenco or not. 
Sara Jerez dancing a Guajira at Toro Tapas. January 7, 2004 9:06pm The stage is beautiful, but acoustically dead so they attach a lavalier microphone to the back of the stage to amplify the sound of the footwork. 
January 7, 2004 9:07pm Inspiring the younger generation: the girl seated to the right was stomping her feet mimicking Sara. Notice the bullfight-themed painting in the back. 
Richard Marlow and Jose Oretea. January 7, 2004 9:09pm 
January 7, 2004 9:13pm Musicians should note that Jose insists on using the best available vocal microphone for live applications: Shure Beta 87a paired with Monster Cable's Studio Pro 1000 microphone cable. 
January 7, 2004 9:16pm They invited yours truly to add to the palmas for the fin de fiesta bulerias. (photo by Steve Svoboda) 
Miguelito and Steve. January 7, 2004 10:03pm Red seems to dominate the lighting design in this restaurant. 
When the last show is over, the restaurant seems to clear out. Interestingly, the stage is in the center of the dining room. January 7, 2004 10:13pm Afterwards we continued on to El Pike, a Bolivian restaurant/nightclub at 6138 Arlington Blvd in Falls Church, Virginia. Rumba group Duende Camaron performs here. The show is officially scheduled to start at 11:30pm but really starts after midnight. 
Jose Oretea and "Jimmy Page" striking a rock-and-roll pose at El Pike. January 7, 2004 11:52pm Yeah, I know that Jimmy Page is also the name of the guitarist for Led Zeppelin. I'm pretty sure it's not his real name, but you'll have to settle for this one for now. 
Cesar Oretea, "Jimmy Page," Waldo Salazar and Miguelito. January 7, 2004 12:00am Except for me of course, all these guys are from Cochabamba, Bolivia. (photo by Jose Oretea) 
Duende Camaron. January 8, 2004 12:09am Note to self: never use the camera flash while directly facing a mirror. 
Steve Svoboda leaving El Pike. January 8, 2004 1:05am For more info, call 703-237-1682. Las Tapas January 6, 2004 
Anna Menendez, Edwin Aparicio and Miguelito at Las Tapas. January 6, 2004 9:24pm (photo by Sonja Teri) I know you guitarists out there are wondering why I a young guy like me is using the old style sitting position. Actually, throughout the show, I alternate between the traditional and the modern (Paco de Lucia). While the latter position looks "cooler," my right leg tends to lose blood circulation and fall asleep. 
January 6, 2004 9:26pm (photo by Sonja Teri) A recurring problem at Las Tapas is the shaky center section of the stage. During the solo de pie, chairs have been known to fall off the back edge. Anna is attempting a "rescue" operation. :) 
January 6, 2004 9:32pm (photo by Sonja Teri) Historical trivia: In 1996, I used to perform on Friday nights with dancer Sara Candela about eight blocks down the street at a Moroccan restaurant called Casablanca. After my show, I used to walk on over to Las Tapas (back then better known as Costa del Sol) to see guitarist Paco de Malaga and dancer Ana Martinez perform in the same place where I now do today. Back then unfortunately, Paco and Ana didn't have a raised stage. A few years later, I also performed several times with dancer Micaela Moreno at the Barcelona restaurant (now known as Siam 815--one block from Las Tapas). As you can imagine, the owners of Las Tapas at the time weren't too thrilled that yours truly was doing flamenco shows at the competing Spanish restaurant one block away. 
Through this photo you can appreciate why many people prefer to see performances at Las Tapas. The raised stage provides an optimal view of the stage even if you're looking through one of the "portholes" while sitting at the bar--that's where all these photos were taken. January 6, 2004 9:35pm (photo by Sonja Teri) 
Sara Jerez-Marlow, John Marlow, Sonja Teri and Anna Menendez. January 6, 2004 11:10pm Sonja (who started her flamenco studies in DC) was visiting from Hollywood, California--there's a possibility she may be moving back to DC soon and hopefully we'll see performing at the local tablaos. Little John seems very happy surrounded by these three beautiful flamenco dancers. What's his destiny? Guitarist, dancer, singer, or all of the above? :) 
The restaurant just came out with a new design for their business card. It's very gratifying to see that they're using a flamenco graphic as part of the restaurant's image. It says to me that the they are committed to presenting flamenco for a long time and that they consider the flamenco show to be an important part of the Las Tapas experience. Also note that they now have a website. I put some distracting text over the image. Why? In today's digital age, it's been known to happen that unscrupulous businesses will download a business card graphic such as the one above and digitally alter it with their own business name and info. Cafe Citron January 5, 2004 
Carlton Ashton and Barry Carter at Cafe Citron. January 5, 2004 9:16pm These guys deserve an award for supporting DC flamenco--they are regulars at Cafe Citron on Mondays! 
Carlton and Sara Candela dancing Sevillanas. January 5, 2004 9:27pm (photo by Steve Svoboda) 
January 5, 2004 9:28pm (photo by Steve Svoboda) 
Sara Candela, Miguelito and Gerardo Moreno. January 5, 2004 9:33pm The new paint job is a definite improvement compared to the previous colors. (photo by Steve Svoboda) 
January 5, 2004 9:40pm (photo by Steve Svoboda) 
Gabriela, Tito and Indira. January 5, 2004 9:57pm I met Gabriela and her friends at Toro Tapas last September. Tito is a professional flamenco guitarist from Venezuela--where they have quite a flamenco scene. You already know Indira--she performs at Las Tapas on Wednesdays. I've enjoyed her show there several times--this was her first time to see me performing flamenco. 
Elvia takes the stage. January 5, 2004 10:06pm Our show was already over, but she felt inspired. :) That's Indira giving palmas. 
Miguelito and Jori. January 5, 2004 10:12pm We were in the midst of practicing our flamenco hand movements. I know, I know...we need more practice. :) 
Torleik, Tatiana Montenegro and Miguelito. January 5, 2004 10:25pm I first met Tatiana through the Spanish Dance Society more than 10 years ago. I had the pleasure of working with her a few times at El Bodegon before it closed down in 1997. 
Anna Menendez, Edwin Aparicio, Sara Jerez and Sara Candela. January 5, 2004 10:44pm This group is made up of the busiest flamenco dancers in the DC area. I have the privilege of performing with all of them every week! 
This is the club from the viewpoint of the stage. January 6, 2004 12:09am The bar is on the left and the dining booths are on the right. The layout is not ideal, but it encourages people to come up and stand by the stage to watch the show---it almost feels like a party sometimes when people crowd around us. 
Flamenco poster on the front door. Do you recognize the dancer? [Hint: she's one of the Sevillanas dancers every Tuesday night at Jaleo Bethesda 301-913-0003] January 6, 2004 12:12am 
Patiently waiting for my ride home. January 6, 2004 12:13am Normally, I take the metro (subway) after this gig. I love it when my friends give me a ride home! Saturday with Miguelito January 3, 2004 I accompany Anna Menendez's flamenco dance classes on Saturdays from 11:00am until 2:30pm. It's a long day for me since I play guitar for almost three-and-a-half hours straight. But it gives me the opportunity to offer guidance to other guitarists interested in learning to accompany dancers. 
New student Linette signing up for Anna Menendez's beginner's flamenco class at American Dance Institute. January 3, 2004 10:56am The semester starts next week, but interested students should come to the open house this Saturday January 10th when you can sample a demo flamenco class for FREE! 
Miguelito and Marty Dow preparing to play for dance classes at American Dance Institute. January 3, 2004 11:27am  Guitarists Marty Dow and RJ Uebersezig taking a break between classes. January 3, 2004 1:43pm Later that day, RJ and I decided to pay a visit to Cecilia, a friend who's recovering from a dance-related injury. As you can imagine, a flamenco dancer who for health reasons cannot dance for a few months will go a little crazy if she doesn't get her "flamenco fix." 
Cecilia preparing my hands for wall painting. January 4, 2004 1:49am
She has a unique idea for decorating her home dance studio: have her
flamenco friends "sign" the studio wall with footprints, or in my
case since I'm a guitarist, with hand prints. January 4, 2004 1:54am 
With a pen, I added a misquote by Federico Garcia-Lorca: "La guitarra....es inútil callarla" (the guitar...it is useless to hush it) January 4, 2004 2:05am  Oops! It looks my signature is bigger than everyone else's. Hmmm...any of you care to psycho-analyze about that? :) January 4, 2004 2:13am Tamara Sol Flys' New Year's Eve show December 31, 2003 While visiting family in Arizona for the Christmas/New Year's Eve break, Baltimore-based dancer Tamara Sol Flys was invited to perform on New Year's Eve with the group Mosaico Flamenco--Tamara used to work regularly with this group when she lived in Arizona. She writes: "Hi Michael! Happy New Year! Here are a few pictures that my niece Laura took (she's visiting from Madrid). She got so many good pictures. I'll have to show them to you some time. These pics are from our shows at the Hyatt Resort at Gainey Ranch in Scottsdale, AZ. We actually had three shows (we were on stage to ring in the new year with our third show)." Thanks for the pics Tamara! 
Tamara with Mosaico Flamenco at the Hyatt Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona December 31, 2003 
December 31, 2003 
December 31, 2003 
December 31, 2003 Ginette's New Year's Eve show December 31, 2003 While the rest of you were partying, I was busy performing in the First Night Alexandria celebration. The performance took place at the new auditorium at Regent University, across the street from the King St metro. Interestingly,
Ginette, organizer of this show, was "discovered" when the president of First Night Alexandria, Nora Partlow, saw a flamenco photo of her at one of the local schools. Nora contacted Ginette who then quickly put together a group (including yours truly), scheduled rehearsals etc and made it all happen. Congrats to Ginette on a job well done! 
Maria Iwamoto, Kayoko Iwamoto and Ginette at the Embassy Suites Hotel. December 31, 2003 3:15pm (photo by Gina) 
We did a television spot for Channel 4 and 7. Did you see us? December 31, 2003 3:20pm The guy walking around the middle of our show is the camera person. (photo by Hiroshi Iwamoto) 
December 31, 2003 4:12pm (photo by Hiroshi Iwamoto) 
The first show begins. Maria and Ginette dancing Sevillanas. December 31, 2003 7:20pm (photo by Gina) 
Kayoko dancing Sevillanas. December 31, 2003 7:21pm (photo by Gina) 
December 31, 2003 7:21pm (photo by Gina) 
December 31, 2003 7:23pm (photo by Gina) 
First show and full house. December 31, 2003 7:24pm (photo by Gina) 
Maria in Garrotin. December 31, 2003 7:30pm (photo by Gina) 
Ginette in Solea por Bulerias. December 31, 2003 7:32pm (photo by Gina) 
December 31, 2003 7:34pm (photo by Gina) 
Kayoko in Alegrias. December 31, 2003 7:40pm (photo by Gina) 
Ginette taking a solo in the fin de fiesta bulerias. December 31, 2003 7:46pm (photo by Gina) 
December 31, 2003 7:49pm (photo by Gina) 
December 31, 2003 7:49pm (photo by Gina) 
Ginette with friends RJ Uebersezig and Steve Svoboda. December 31, 2003 7:54pm 
Backstage just before the 8:45 show. December 31, 2003 8:41pm 
December 31, 2003 8:51pm (photo by Gina) 
That's me giving one of my highly-informative lectures about flamenco. December 31, 2003 8:55pm (photo by Gina) 
Ginette in Tangos. I played the cajón in addition to the guitar for this dance. December 31, 2003 9:04pm (photo by Gina) 
December 31, 2003 9:05pm (photo by Gina) 
December 31, 2003 9:06pm (photo by Gina) 
Kayoko once again AlegrÃas. December 31, 2003 9:10pm (photo by Gina) 
The audience just gets bigger and bigger! December 31, 2003 9:18pm (photo by Gina) 
Ginette with her brother Cesar. December 31, 2003 10:07pm (photo by Gina)  Ginette's brother Cesar, friend Uziel and father Cesar Augusto December 31, 2003 10:12pm 
Hanging out with RJ and Steve. These guys attended all three shows! December 31, 2003 10:13pm (photo by Gina) 
Third show and another packed house! December 31, 2003 10:20pm (photo by Gina) 
Many children sat up front. December 31, 2003 10:21pm (photo by Gina) 
Kayoko in Sevillanas. December 31, 2003 10:21pm (photo by Gina) 
Ginette once again in Soleá por BulerÃas. December 31, 2003 10:35pm (photo by Gina) 
December 31, 2003 10:36pm (photo by Gina) 
The closing bulerÃas for the night. December 31, 2003 10:46pm (photo by Gina) 
Finally! All my sound equipment is packed up. December 31, 2003 11:07pm (photo by RJ Uebersezig) 
Show's over. Time to find a New Year's Eve party. December 31, 2003 11:08pm Thanks to all our friends who made the effort to come out and see our shows. (photo by Hiroshi Iwamoto)  Photos taken with the Olympus Stylus 300 Digital Camera Text and original images ©1996-2013 by . Please do not republish content from this website, including text and photos, in whole or part without prior written permission. |
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