DCFLAMENCO - Flamenco in Washington DC

Miguelito's Photo Diary

March 3, 2004 - March 13, 2004

La Tasca DC's first flamenco show March 3, 2004
Manolito at Cafe Milano March 4, 2004
Penn-Mar Black Tie Gala March 6, 2004
Georgetown Harbour March 7, 2004
La Truco workshop March 12, 2004
Jam session at Cesar's house March 13, 2004

Jam session at Cesar's house March 13, 2004

It seems to be their ritual: do a late show and party all night at a friend's house. On Saturday, I happened to be in Old Town Alexandria for a rehearsal, so afterwards I stopped by Las Tapas restaurant around 9:00pm to say hello to my friends, Duende Camaron, enjoyed their show, as always, and ended up at a late-night jam session--this time with guitarists Cesar Aquino and Jose Oretea.

Some people seem to find themselves at their creative or mental peak in the early morning hours. We spent most of the time jamming on bossa nova chord progressions--Cesar's an expert in this genre. But later we came back to rumba.

Miguelito, Ishmael and Jose. March 14, 2004 4:45am

Cesar, Miguelito and Jose. March 14, 2004 5:01am

La Truco workshop March 12, 2004

The advanced class worked on seguiriyas. The beginner/intermediates worked on tangos. Both classes began with 20-30 minutes of body isolation exercises. At one point, Truco explained that she is going to teach you not how to dance but rather how to control your body.

She has so much to give and is extremely patient and detail-oriented: taking the time to make sure you understand what's going on each step of the way.

March 12, 2004 8:31pm

What did you think of the first day of the workshop?
"I loved it. The warmup was very good. Like she said, all the energy in the center. I didn't feel it when I was doing it. But when we were done and all relaxed, it was all warm inside and really worth it. And the dance is really nice. I like to go very slow, the way she does seguiriyas, all the shoulders isolating, different movements."

Comments about the style of La Truco?
"Definitely different from when I took from her. Now she's more modern. Putting in the isolation, different body parts, the shoulder, the rib cage, everything. Definitely a lot more modern. But I like it."

"It was fun. She's a really good teacher."

"The dancing style is very different from what we do here. Especially the isolation of the body parts. It was good."

"When she leaves, we'll have plenty to work on for a while."

More info about La Truco's workshop. And don't forget she's performing at the Gala Hispanic's Warehouse Theater March 18-19, 2004. Details

Georgetown Harbour March 7, 2004

Here we are again at our usual spot taking in the spring-like weather. Temperature around 60F.

Miguelito. March 7, 2004 4:51pm

Steve Svoboda. That's the Kennedy Center in the background. March 7, 2004 4:54pm

Georgetown Harbour with the Watergate building in the background. March 7, 2004 5:17pm

Watching the sunset from upstairs bar of the Sequoia Club. March 7, 2004 5:43pm (photo by Steve Svoboda)

View of the Potomac from the upstairs bar at Sequoia. Oh man! Look at the time! :) March 7, 2004 5:45pm

I know you're probably thinking, "What's the point of the last three pics?" Well, Steve was supposed to go to a dance class/rehearsal at a certain hour but take a look again and imagine the gentle breeze, the warm sunlight, the people taking leisurely strolls...the setting was so seductive, time silently slipped away. Then around sunset, a slight chill brought our dreamy preview of spring to a close--so we headed over to the Sequoia Club for the warmth indoors so we could "chill" for awhile. :)

Of course, everyone knows we're both normally punctual guys. But hopefully the dancers will understand why Steve was late to class/rehearsal this one time. :)

Penn-Mar Black Tie Gala March 6, 2004

It was the third Saturday in a row I performed at a benefit. This time it was for the Penn-Mar Organization whose mission is: "...to provide support services in our communities, which promote value, independence and self-determination, to families and individuals with disabilities or human service needs..."

It took place at the stately Grand Lodge of Masons in Hunt Valley, about 18 miles north of Baltimore, Maryland.

Joining me was dancer Tamara Sol Flys. We gave a 12-minute performance and spent the rest of the time enjoying dinner with the guests.

View of the performance space before the guests arrived. March 6, 2004 7:38pm

Showtime! March 6, 2004 10:36pm (photo by Mr. Barringer)

Tamara dancing Sevillanas. March 6, 2004 10:42pm (photo by Mr. Barringer)

March 6, 2004 10:43pm (photo by Mr. Barringer)

March 6, 2004 10:44pm (photo by Mr. Barringer)

March 6, 2004 10:45pm (photo by Mr. Barringer)

March 6, 2004 10:49pm (photo by Mr. Barringer)

March 6, 2004 10:50pm (photo by Mr. Barringer)

Alegrias. March 6, 2004 10:51pm (photo by Mr. Barringer)

March 6, 2004 10:52pm (photo by Mr. Barringer)

March 6, 2004 10:53pm (photo by Mr. Barringer)

Silencio section of Alegrias. March 6, 2004 10:56pm (photo by Mr. Barringer)

March 6, 2004 10:57pm (photo by Mr. Barringer)

March 6, 2004 10:59pm (photo by Mr. Barringer)

Fin de fiestita bulerias. March 6, 2004 11:00pm (photo by Mr. Barringer)

The people from Penn-Mar and Billington Imports treated us so well, it didn't feel at all like we were "donating" our services. Our thanks to Tatiana Maria, Dana Wechter, John and Miriam Peters, Alex Baltholomaus et al. March 7, 2004 12:13am (photo by Mr. Barringer)

Manolito at Cafe Milano March 4, 2004

Usually we go to Guarapo's on Thursdays to hear Duende Camaron. But our friends Manolo and Lito were in town performing at Cafe Milano so we had go check 'em out. As it turns out, even Jose and Cesar from Duende Camaron cancelled their Guarapo show to come see these guys too.

Manolito are performing late tonight, March 6th. Cafe Milano is located at 3251 Prospect Street NW DC near Wisonsin and M in Georgetown. Call (202)333-6183.

Nice poster. That reminds me...I need to ask the restaurant managers to make a poster for my own shows. March 4, 2004 11:47pm

It looks so cool to put the guitars on the chairs like this. But in a crowded place like Cafe Milano, I wouldn't recommend this. March 5, 2004 12:01am

Jose Oretea, Kivanc Oner and Cesar Aquino. March 5, 2004 12:17am

Cesar Oretea, Armand, Lito and Jose. March 5, 2004 12:23am

Monica Serrano and Michael Santiago. March 5, 2004 12:37am

Cesar, Monica and Steve Svoboda. March 5, 2004 12:41am

Lito, Manolo and Armand. March 5, 2004 12:45am

La Tasca DC's first flamenco show March 3, 2004

We did it, finally! We got a show going at La Tasca (202-347-9190). Actually several friends and I have been talking to some of their representatives for the past year. So it's very satisfying to finally see it become a reality.

We had a few familiar faces in the audience. But overall, the turnout of local flamencos could've been better. It probably has to do with the early schedule of the shows which are at 6:30pm-ish and 7:30pm-ish every Wednesday night. We're still tweaking the schedule, so bear with us. Parking is a pain in the butt and expensive so if you can, take the metro. La Tasca is just down the block from the Chinatown exit of Gallery Place metro. The address is 722 Seventh St NW DC.

Dancer Tamara Sol Flys, originally from Arizona where she was very active as a flamenco dancer, is now based in Baltimore where she's working on her PhD. She's one of the best dancers in the DC area and we don't get enough of her here in DC. So it's my pleasure to announce that Tamara will be the regular dancer at La Tasca DC and we'll alternate the second dancer from week to week.

Miguelito, Tamara Sol Flys and Carlton Ashton. March 3, 2004 6:41pm (photo by Eddie)

Tamara and guitarist Juan Delgado. March 3, 2004 7:19pm

Tamara and Jason Vera y Aragon. The CD you see here is called Native Flamenco and it just so happens that Tamara's picture is on the cover and throughout the liner notes. March 3, 2004 7:22pm

Juan, Carlton, Tamara, Jason and Marta Chico Martin. La Tasca DC is just a few blocks north of Jaleo DC where Jason and Marta were scheduled to perform at 7:45pm. While they couldn't stay for the show, I appreciated their stopping by to show their support. March 3, 2004 7:23pm