Miguelito's Photo Diary

March 14, 2005 - March 19, 2005

• Cafe Citron March 14, 2005
• Cafe Citron pics by Ginette March 14, 2005
• Las Tapas March 15, 2005
• Cafe Bonaparte March 16, 2005
• Lunch March 17, 2005
• Guarapo March 17, 2005
• Casablanca March 18, 2005
• Arte Flamenco March 19, 2005

Arte Flamenco March 19, 2005

During the past couple of months I have been seeing a LOT of Middle Eastern dance from the shows at Casablanca (where I also perform) to the Saturday night shows (and classes) at Cafe Citron and now this evening's collaborative concert with Arte Flamenco and Ancient Rhythms at the Black Box Theater on the Takoma Park campus of Montgomery College.

March 19, 2005 7:00pm

March 19, 2005 7:03pm

Entrance to the intimate Black Box Theatre. March 19, 2005 7:10pm

Seating for 90 was expanded to 100 due to popular demand. The show had been sold out for weeks! March 19, 2005 7:11pm

The audience eagerly waiting for me, um I mean Arte Flamenco to make their entrance. :-) March 19, 2005 7:12pm

In addition to playing guitar, I also had soundman duties with the mixer next to my chair. While I do this almost everyday at my restaurant and club gigs, I made the mistake of using the theatre's mixing board while playing guitar, not to mention having to follow the dancers and the singer and musically meshing with my fellow guitarists. Each sound system has its own little quirks and this evening there were minor sound problems that I normally would be able to fix instantly had I been using my own mixer. Oh well.

The quality of the sound can often make or break a show. TIP: assuming you have professional quality sound system and that you're your own soundman, always always always insist on using your own sound equipment (including the mixer). Why? Because a sound system is just like a musical instrument--with experience, you learn know how to make it sound good. The system is only as good as its operator. And most importantly, your musical reputation is at stake. Don't put it at risk with a sound system you're not familiar with.

While we're talking about the techy side of theatres, let's continue with a little segment on stage lighting (Yeah, I'm the only one in the DC flamenco scene who brings stage lights to gigs.):

The lighting effect seen in the above photo is achieved with a gobo, a filter usually made of steel which blocks out light in a specific pattern. It is placed in a slot in front of the lamp, hence the term go-before-optic or gobo for short.

The blue color is attained with a heat-resistent transparent (or translucent) plastic sheet called a "gel" (don't ask me why, but if you refer to the color filter as "gel" when speaking with a stagehand they'll be impressed that you've taken the time to learn the stage tech lingo).

Psychologically, blue generally has a calming effect on the audience which is a nice contrast to prepare them for the emotionally intense flamenco performance coming very soon. See? you learned something today! End of educational segment.

TIP for dancers and all other performers: pick up a book on stagecraft and become familiar with the terminology and concepts that stagehands use everyday. It's not absolutely necessary because they're used to putting up with inarticulate non-techy artistes. :-) But it will facilitate things during tech rehearsal when you can clearly communicate your needs in terminology that they understand.

The first half started late--flamenco shows never start on time. Well it was supposed to start at 7:30pm but we had some late-arriving audience members. When everyone was finally seated, Natalia Monteleón's Arte Flamenco group, including yours truly on guitar, began their performance.

I was hoping to have some pics from the performance itself, but unfortunately my personal photographer had a last-minute family emergency so she couldn't come. But I could still give you an exclusive look of what goes on backstage...

Fast forward past intermission to the second half where Ancient Rhythms group began their performance. Meanwhile, backstage, the Arte Flamenco dancers and yours truly tried to keep ourselves entertained.

Miguelito, Sarah, Julie and Natalia Cuesta. March 19, 2005 8:59pm

Pam, Quique, Natalia and Julie. March 19, 2005 9:00pm

We couldn't see the Middle Eastern dance performance, but we could hear the Arabic dance music over the backstage monitors.

When a group of flamenco dancers is forced to wait quietly backstage while listening to belly dance music, this is what happens...

Pam leading the girls in doin' the Egyptian. :-) March 19, 2005 9:05pm

Sarah spent a semester learning Indian classical dance, something called (I think) Bharatanatyam which includes rhythmic footwork, an extensive vocabulary of symbolic hand gestures and more. These skills provided Sarah with a good technical background for flamenco. It is generally believed that flamenco dance movements are historically derived from Indian classical dance. (Wow, even more educational stuff!) March 19, 2005 9:06pm

March 19, 2005 9:07pm

Sexy legs pic featuring Alex, Sarah, Fausti, Natalia, Pam and Julie. March 19, 2005 9:13pm

I wasn't the only one taking backstage pics. I asked Alex to send me her pics. Hey, she's got a better camera than I do! This is not right. :-) I'm the one who's supposed to be on the bleeding edge of technology. Time for me to upgrade! March 19, 2005 9:15pm

After releasing their pent-up energy, Pam and Natalia chill out as we continued to wait for our cue to go onstage. March 19, 2005 9:17pm

Henry arrives to let us know that we're going onstage in a few minutes. Yay! Finally! March 19, 2005 9:24pm

Following the two Henry's to the stage entrance. March 19, 2005 9:25pm

A quick self-portrait on the way to the stage wing. March 19, 2005 9:26pm

Quique, Natalia and Fausti. March 19, 2005 9:27pm (photo by Javier)

Henry, Quique and Miguelito. Yeah, I got the memo about "white shirts for the guitarists" but I had to be different. :-) March 19, 2005 9:28pm (photo by Javier)

Fausti, Natalia Cuesta and Arte Flamenco director Natalia Monteleón. March 19, 2005 9:29pm

Backstage crowded with both Middle Eastern and flamenco dancers featuring Poland Spring the official spring water of Flamenco Arabie. :-) March 19, 2005 9:30pm

Moments later, the musicians took their positions and the finale began with Natalia and Ancient Rhythms director Najwah in a duel of dance, sometimes imitating and often times trying to outdo each other (in a friendly way). It was clear that the two of them were having so much fun and the audience loved it! The show closed with all the dancers, Middle Eastern and flamenco, in an upbeat tangos.

Fast forward half-an-hour later: we're all dressed up and ready to go out and celebrate, but unable to agree where to go and what to do...this always happens, especially with a large group of artistic people who have just finished a show, especially if they're thirsty, hungry, tired or pumped-up for some partying.

Serious tip for future performers: if there's no nightlife within walking-distance of the theater, plan your after-show party AHEAD of time, seriously. Trust me on this: a large group of hungry, tired and thirsty dancers can never make a decision at the last-minute.

The fashionably-dressed members and supporters of Arte Flamenco: Jason, Damien, Fausti, Alex, Josefa, Javier, Pam and Julie. March 19, 2005 10:03pm

Cute married couple: Damien and Fausti. March 19, 2005 10:04pm

Alex, Javier, Pam and Julie. March 19, 2005 10:06pm

We all went our separate ways: some to parties, some for dinner, some to go drinking, some to go clubbing and some just went home.

Yet another flamenco-filled week comes to an end. Ahh...life is good! It's 7:46am on Sunday as I type these words. ¡Buenos días!

For more information about Arte Flamenco visit www.arteflamenco.us

Casablanca March 18, 2005

Thanks to my friends Ayhan and Bedriye for these photos. This evening's show was taped for a program appearing on Middle East Television.

Sara Jerez in soleá. March 18, 2005 (photo courtesy of Ayhan)

Sara's signature dance: Guajiras. March 18, 2005 (photo courtesy of Ayhan)

Anna performing tientos. March 18, 2005 (photo courtesy of Ayhan)

March 18, 2005 (photo courtesy of Ayhan)

Guarapo March 17, 2005

I was so close to the St Patrick's Day festivities a couple of doors down at Ireland's Four Courts, but instead at Guarapo, I got to catch up with Madiha whom I haven't seen in almost two months. She hasn't been in my photo diary for a long time--which is unusual considering that she used to be in it almost every week last year!

Hmmm...it seems like friends I haven't seen in a while have been popping up out of nowhere in the past two weeks. I'm not complaining, but still what's up--is this "catch-up-with-Miguelito" month? :-)

Samiha, Madiha, Miguelito and Irwin. March 17, 2005 11:07pm

Armand and José. March 18, 2005 12:08am

Cesar. March 18, 2005 12:21am

Also present but not pictured were my friends Jenifer Jaketic and Palma.

Lunch March 17, 2005

When I got home last night and when I woke up this morning, something was bugging me but I couldn't put my finger on it. Unable to figure it out, I decided that I just needed a vacation from flamenco for the day. So I called up a friend and we went out to lunch and caught up on each other's lives since we last met.

Afterwards, we went to her favorite café, Karma at 19th and I NW. Being a big fan and avid reader of my photo diary/blog she already knew what drink I was going to order (I've mentioned it a number of times in the past few weeks. Do you know what it is?)

March 17, 2005 1:37pm

Somehow we stumbled upon the topic of enemies and she commented that "It's good to have enemies." The reason being that if you're not doing anything consequential with your life, you will not have enemies. But if you are doing something that really matters, you will come across opposition. That's a good thing! Just don't go so far as to have everyone as your enemy. :-)

One example from my life: I occasionally get angry emails from people criticizing me about the way I promote flamenco and about whom I promote through my website. Of course, I welcome criticism for the purpose of improvement. At the same time, I wouldn't have received the angry emails if my critics didn't believe that my website is influential or of any importance.

Truth is that any idiot can create a website. The real challenge is in creating a website that your readers will want to visit regularly and that over time has an influence on furthering a cause or in uniting a community.

Without me spelling it out, can you state what I'm trying to accomplish through my website?

As I walked back home, it finally struck me why I woke up frustrated this morning. At last night's Cafe Bonaparte gig, I was the lead guitarist--I was improvising the melodies while Behzad played the accompaniment. I do a decent job, but I just wasn't feeling it last night because deep down inside I knew that I am capable of playing so much better. My subconscious knew this, but I didn't realize it until this afternoon.

Yeah, I need to work on my melodic improvisation skills, but when it comes to soloing, I have the musician's equivalent of writer's block. Where would I find a solution? I looked up and saw a sign:

March 17, 2005 2:37pm

I walked through the aisles not knowing specifically what I was looking for but when I arrived at the section called "Staff Recommendations" I was immediately drawn to a white cover book with a title that cleverly plays upon Sun Tzu's The Art of War

March 17, 2005 2:51pm

I thumbed through it and came across a paragraph that especially piqued my interest:

"The professional dedicates himself to master technique not because he believes technique is a substitute for inspiration but because he wants to be in possession of the full arsenal of skills when inspiration does come. The professional is sly. He knows that by toiling beside the front door of technique, he leaves room for genius to enter by the back." (page 84)

Last night, I wanted to say something with my music, but because I didn't have the "full arsenal of skills," I was at a loss for musical words. Hence my frustration.

Nothing groundbreaking here so far. But I'm anxious to read what else author Steven Pressfield has to say. In any case, I found something to help set me off in the right direction. Vacation over. Back to flamenco! :-)

My thanks to Aru for being a great friend and my therapist-for-the-day. :-)

Cafe Bonaparte March 16, 2005

Since the possiblity of a snow-closing is almost gone, the shows here at Bonaparte will be on a regular schedule of every other Wednesday. Next show is on March 30, 2005.

Walking up Wisconsin Ave to Cafe Bonaparte. March 16, 2005 7:36pm

The power of advertising: a couple was driving down Wisconsin Ave, noticed this little chalkboard sign and when they read the word 'flamenco,' they immediately made a U-turn, found parking and dropped by in time to catch the last-half of our last set. Too bad. But at least I was able to talk to them for a little while and invited them to come back in two weeks for the next show. They love flamenco but weren't aware of the local scene. Of course, I told them about DCFLAMENCO.COM--boy, are they in for a pleasant surprise! :-) March 16, 2005 7:37pm

Our good friend Juan Martín. Besides being a flamenco guitar and cante student, he's a world-travelling documentary film producer with Conservation International. Juan also has an ongoing personal project: a documentary on flamenco in Washington DC with interviews with yours truly and other local artists. He's briefly mentioned in a Washingtonian magazine article. March 16, 2005 9:08pm

This is the view from the "stage." Another busy night. As the weather gets warmer in the coming months, hopefully business will get better, although I don't think we can fit any more people in this cozy place. March 16, 2005 9:09pm

Restauranteur Giovanni Viezi, Usma, Juan and Behzad. March 16, 2005 9:10pm

Didn't find anyone to take pics for me this time, so I just snapped a few random shots during the breaks between shows. I really should be mingling with the customers, but right now this place is so packed with people, I can't comfortably make my way to the bar to ask for something to eat or drink. Hmmm..so what shall I take a picture of now?

Behzad's guitar with lavalier microphone attached. That's his Mario Cortés cajón. On the window sill is my bottle of nail glue. March 16, 2005 9:19pm

This is my view as I sit next to singer Carlton Ashton during the show. March 16, 2005 10:01pm

An hour and fifteen minutes later, we're done performing for the night.

Kitchen was about to close, but I managed to squeeze-in an order of basil-tomato-mozzarella Caprese which I enjoyed while Behzad provided salad-eating accompaniment. :-) Delicious food, but I'm still hungry! March 16, 2005 11:15pm (photo by Omar)

People who don't know me are surprised that I have a huge appetite despite my lean figure--mostly because my parents are both slim and the fact that I walk A LOT!

Juan and Carlton. March 16, 2005 11:16pm (photo by Omar)

Cecilia, Giovanni and Usma. March 16, 2005 11:20pm (photo by Juan)

Lillian and Usma. March 16, 2005 11:21pm (photo by Juan)

Behzad. March 16, 2005 11:31pm

Giovanni serenading the ladies with an Italian song. (He's the owner of Giovanni's Trattu in Dupont Circle.) March 16, 2005 11:35pm

My friends enjoying Behzad's guitar playing. March 16, 2005 11:42pm

Closing time. March 16, 2005 11:52pm

Saying goodnight to our friends. March 17, 2005 12:07am

Half an hour later after visiting several so-called late-night eateries that turned out to be closed...

I grabbed a late-night meal at Mario's--Arlington's famous all night pizza/burger place. (Here are some pics from Mario's from August 2004 when I first met Madiha.) I can remember coming here many times with friends during my summertime vacations as a college student. I worked in Arlington as a daycamp counselor for kids ages 5-12. March 17, 2005 12:41am (photo by)

Those were good times. I was the arts and crafts specialist working hard at coming up with new activities for the kids everyday. Once a week we'd take a field trip to a community swimming pool somewhere and spend the day in the sun.

In some ways, I still feel like a college student: my days are mostly free, I always go to bed after midnight, I have only a few responsibilities and I'm playing guitar a lot. I can't wait until the weather gets warm and the pool opens up. Can I keep this up the rest of my life? :-)

Anyway, Bonaparte was fun and I've now satisfied my hunger for food, but I don't want to go home just yet. Any ideas where to go/what to do around 1:00am on an early Thursday morning? March 17, 2005 12:59am

But hey, this isn't New York, London or Madrid. Places close early on Wednesdays here in DC. Sucks. I'll just call it a night and do something fun tomorrow. It's 9:32am on Thursday as I type these words. Good morning!

Las Tapas March 15, 2005

There were a LOT of people for a typical Tuesday night. The main dining area was filled-up including the bar. On my way "backstage," I ran into a couple of old friends.

Beatriz Soler and her daughter Milagros with Miguelito. March 15, 2005 7:32pm (photo by kind stranger)

I played for Milagros over the years from when she was a little girl. Occasionally she performed with me at the Andalucía Restaurant in Rockville. For the past three years, however, she's been very busy as a college student. But obviously Milagros still loves flamenco, otherwise she and her mom wouldn't have come to the show and sat next to the stage. It was great to see you both!

Here's a pic from when Milagros was Reina de la Feria in 2000.

View from the end of the bar as I sat next to this evening's dancers: Anna Menendez and Sara Jerez. March 15, 2005 8:52pm

View from behind the stage. That's my seat with the microphone cable hanging from the back. March 15, 2005 8:58pm

After Las Tapas, I was planning to go to Guarapo to see the bossa/samba show by my singer friend Indira Terraza--but by the time I was headed to Arlington around midnight, the show was over. I'll try again next week.

Went to bed very late, but still got a good night's sleep. It's 11:03am on Wednesday as I type these words. Good morning!

Cafe Citron pics by Ginette March 14, 2005

Ginette sent me a bunch of pics, just before I had to leave to go to my gig at Las Tapas, but I absolutely had to publish this first one right away. It cracks me up! :-)

Ginette writes: "...there is another pic of you where you have a facial expression as you're thinking 'WHAT R U DOING!'" March 14, 2005 (photo by Ginette Perea)

I look good when I'm mad, don't I? :-)

The next three are Ginette's personal favorites.

March 14, 2005 (photo by Ginette Perea)

March 14, 2005 (photo by Ginette Perea)

March 14, 2005 (photo by Ginette Perea)

The rest of the pics are pretty good too. Thanks Ginette!

March 14, 2005 (photo by Ginette Perea)

March 14, 2005 (photo by Ginette Perea)

March 14, 2005 (photo by Ginette Perea)

March 14, 2005 (photo by Ginette Perea)

March 14, 2005 (photo by Ginette Perea)

March 14, 2005 (photo by Ginette Perea)

March 14, 2005 (photo by Ginette Perea)

March 14, 2005 (photo by Ginette Perea)

March 14, 2005 (photo by Ginette Perea)

It's a beautiful performance space, but it is very difficult to get the sound right because it's so tight. In the above pic, I'm checking the settings on my sound system.

March 14, 2005 (photo by Ginette Perea)

Cafe Citron March 14, 2005

Lots of photos today. Ginette is going to send a few more too. I'm in a good mood today but just don't feel like writing much. So I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

The photos of some of my friends didn't turn out very well (blurred or unflattering facial expression). But I want to give them credit for showing up and supporting my show: Nicole Totah, Mariya's boyfriend Keith and Jason Vera y Aragón.

View from the stage. March 14, 2005 7:32pm

View from the front door. March 14, 2005 7:49pm

Sevillanas. Looks like Gerard got the memo about wearing black today. We match! :-) March 14, 2005 8:27pm (photo by Carlos Jones)

Dancer Ginette Perea (left) was in the audience so we got her to do a copla with Sara Candela. March 14, 2005 8:29pm (photo by Carlos Jones)

That's Mariya. March 14, 2005 8:30pm (photo by Carlos Jones)

Playing one of Gerard's rumbas. March 14, 2005 8:32pm (photo by Carlos Jones)

Nice pic of me. March 14, 2005 8:37pm (photo by Carlos Jones)

Alegrías. March 14, 2005 8:41pm (photo by Carlos Jones)

March 14, 2005 8:42pm (photo by Carlos Jones)

March 14, 2005 8:43pm (photo by Carlos Jones)

March 14, 2005 8:44pm (photo by Carlos Jones)

March 14, 2005 8:52pm (photo by Carlos Jones)

March 14, 2005 8:53pm (photo by Carlos Jones)

March 14, 2005 8:43pm (photo by Carlos Jones)

My friend and this evening's photographer, Carlos Jones with Candace. March 14, 2005 8:57pm

Local dance student Karina Valverde and Miguelito. We'll get her to dance Sevillanas here one day. March 14, 2005 9:16pm (photo by Nancy Medina)

Second show. Playing a rumba by Gerard. March 14, 2005 9:27pm (photo by Carlos Jones)

Another nice pic of me. What can I say? When I feel good, I look good! :-) March 14, 2005 9:28pm (photo by Carlos Jones)

I was especially inspired by my improvised soleá falseta. Having friends in the audience who are knowledgable about flamenco made me want to perform at my best. March 14, 2005 9:40pm (photo by Carlos Jones)

Sara dancing soleá. March 14, 2005 9:43pm (photo by Carlos Jones)

Tangos. March 14, 2005 9:55pm (photo by Carlos Jones)

Miguelito, José and Gerard. March 14, 2005 9:58pm (photo by Carlos Jones)

Corrine and Ginette. March 14, 2005 10:07pm

I do a lot of shows with Ginette, so we took advantage of the practice space downstairs to squeeze in a quick rehearsal. March 14, 2005 10:15pm (photo by Corrine)

March 14, 2005 10:19pm (photo by Corrine)

March 14, 2005 10:22pm (photo by Corrine)

March 14, 2005 10:23pm (photo by Corrine)

Corrine, Ginette and Miguelito. March 14, 2005 10:26pm

It was good to be amongst friends and the DJ was putting on some good music, but the vibe just wasn't there tonight: nobody was dancing. Usually, it's good at Citron. But there are other clubs nearby, so Jason and I grabbed a quick bite at Julia's Empanadas before checking out Lucky Bar and then Ozio before calling it a night.

When I got home, I went straight to bed instead of working on my website as I normally do. Needed to get some rest, build-up my immune system so I don't catch the flu again. When I got up I edited the photos and published this photo diary entry. It's 10:01am on Tuesday as I type these words. Good morning!

Photos taken with the Olympus Stylus 300 Digital Camera

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