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Miguelito's Photo Diary/BlogMay 22, 2005 - June 3, 2005
Catching up June 3, 2005 Just a few random pics from the past week. Yeah I've been slacking a bit, but I'm leaving for my well-deserved vacation very soon. Let's just hope I'll have the time and energy to keep up my photo diary while I'm there. ;-) Last Saturday, I had a wedding gig. Yeah, I've been doing a lot of these lately (how else do you think I can afford to take a nice vacation?) Anyway, it took place outdoors at a yacht club in Virginia. Earlier that afternoon it was raining pretty hard but by the time the wedding began, the sky cleared up enough to let sun come through. Combined with my beautiful guitar music, it almost brought tears to my eyes. Just kidding (about the tears)! 
The "altar" from my point of view. May 28, 2005 4:31pm 
For comparison, here's a pic of the altar from a Cancun beach wedding I attended a few years ago. Do you prefer beach or yacht club? 
Another view from my seat. I resisted the temptation to take pics during the ceremony--that would be so tacky. :-) May 28, 2005 4:31pm After the wedding, I hung out at the reception and got some free food and drinks and mingled with the guests for a few hours before I went home and changed for a pool party with my flamenco friends. I arrived very late and missed the dancers doing Sevillanas in swimsuits, oh well. Sorry no pics. Good thing about arriving late is you're left with the hardcore party people. It wasn't wild, but it was cool, for a change, not having to resort to flamenco to have fun--just friends, food, conversation and fun games until the early hours of the morning. I had an early rehearsal the next day (Sunday), at 9:00am!!! But I chugged a Red Bull and I was good to go...well at least I was mentally alert, but my body still was begging me to go to bed. Filled-up on a big lunch afterwards before going home for a quick nap then I was off to meet with my parents for a Memorial Day barbecue and I got stuffed again. I was so tempted to go out to Chi-Cha (where I heard afterwards, there was a huge holiday crowd) when I got back home, but I was so full of food from eating all day, I went straight to bed. Next day (Monday) was my favorite of the week: Flamenco Night at Cafe Citron! 
Mariya with Miguelito and Gerard. May 30, 2005 9:26pm (photo by Juan Delgado) 
May 30, 2005 9:37pm (photo by Juan Delgado) 
May 30, 2005 9:38pm (photo by Juan Delgado) Tuesday was spent at Las Tapas. The dancers were Anna Menendez and [Name removed for privacy]. Afterwards we went to Guarapo and met with friends who just left the Gipsy Kings concert at Wolf Trap. Wednesday I met up with RJ at our favorite pre-performance eatery: Turcuisine (571-323-3330) did my usual gig at El Manantial in Reston with RJ Uebersezig, [Name removed for privacy] and Mariya. Afterwards we went to Georgetown Harbour and jammed until after midnight. Thursday I had some afternoon coffee with this beautiful Indian girl at the World Bank--who happens to be a big fan of my photo diary. She convinced me to get off my butt and write the blog entry you're currently reading. Thank you Aru! 
June 2, 2005 8:32pm (photo by "Beca") Later, I was at Andalucia with Guadalupe Cerritos. Afterwards, I rehearsed with a male dancer that I'll be performing with this Saturday night at 11:30pm at La Tasca DC. 
My point of view during rehearsal. Who is this male dancer? June 2, 2005 10:28pm See? So I slacked off on the blog for a few days. You can't say I haven't been busy doing other things. But I do have a backlog of DC Feria photos I have yet to publish. This Sunday June 5th at 3:15pm I'll be accompanying Arte Flamenco's performance at the Washington Folk Festival. Admission is free so please come! Checkout the pics from five years ago. Andalucía May 26, 2005 I could get on a soapbox and blab on and on about my artistic responsibility in properly presenting flamenco in my shows. But at the same time, all of local performers are in fact also entertainers. We hope that people in the audience will be inspired to explore flamenco and eventually learn to appreciate cante and its relation to dance and guitar etc. But the reality is that only a few people will really "get it." As an entertainer, I can go home satisfied that I helped make my audience members' evening enjoyable through my performance--whether or not they understood my artistic "message." 
Dancer Guadalupe Cerritos relaxing at the bar after her show. May 26, 2005 8:55pm There was something different about her and it probably has a lot to do with the reason she didn't go to the Feria this past Sunday: she was at her college graduation ceremony. Congrats Guadalupe! 
May 26, 2005 9:00pm Can you remember how you felt when you graduated from college (or high school)? In many ways, I still miss college. Yeah, I had tons and tons of reading in subjects I didn't really care much about (like sociology and architecture). But at the same time, I was studying my passion, music, and always looked forward to most of the classes related to my major. Of course, I spent hours in the practice rooms on the top floor of the music building. I also took a LOT of unnecessary classes just for fun (like Russian and countless geography courses). I was paying in-state tuition so it was inexpensive--aside from the few scholarships, I'm proud to say I paid for my own college education! Then of course there were the parties, student clubs and my friends and escapes to the beach on stressful days when I'd skip class--I went to California State University, Fullerton which is a short drive to Newport Beach etc. You would've expected me to be stressing about "OK, so you're a college graduate, now what?" But I had the good fortune of having a flamenco-related job waiting for me in DC: playing for the flamenco classes at George Washington University. Literally the day after graduation, I got on the plane to DC and on the same day I arrived I had a rehearsal already scheduled! As a student, I never went to bed before midnight. As a graduate, nothing much changed--I actually go to bed later. In college, I'd stay in the practice rooms until 11pm or later and get home late. As a graduate, I now play in clubs and restaurants five nights a week. So I have a diploma--it's around here somewhere. No, I don't have it laminated and hanging on the wall. Of course I'm proud of my accomplishment, but my musical ability is my "diploma" and I have to maintain it on a daily basis. So my education still continues. I graduated but I'm still a student. So now what's next? Cafe Bonaparte May 25, 2005 I saw quite a few friends in the audience tonight including Jill, Mackenzie, Ana and Lynn. During the second set, two beautiful girls walk in. Behzad stopped playing for a second to wave, but I didn't recognize them. When we took our break, I took a second look and finally recognized one of them, "Omigod, that's Michelle Goldin!" She cut her hair since I saw her last Sunday at the Feria. (She also graduated from GMU at the age of 19--congrats Michelle!) We invited her to dance Sevillanas during the last set. When the crowd requested an encore, Carlton and Michelle danced jaleos/bulerías. 
Carlton Ashton and Michelle Goldin. May 25, 2005 10:32pm (photo by Brigitta) 
May 25, 2005 10:32pm (photo by Brigitta) 
May 25, 2005 10:32pm (photo by Brigitta) 
May 25, 2005 10:34pm (photo by Brigitta) 
Behzad and yours truly. May 25, 2005 10:35pm (photo by Brigitta) Special Feria pic from Estela Velez May 22, 2005 Estela writes: Every word is true. On behalf of all the flamenco guitarists in DC, I say thank you!  May 22, 2005 DC Feria pics by Lenore Boulet (last batch) May 22, 2005 
Carmela Greco in Guajiras. May 22, 2005 (photo by Lenore Boulet) 
May 22, 2005 (photo by Lenore Boulet) 
Natalia Monteleon and Carmela in Sevillanas. May 22, 2005 (photo by Lenore Boulet) 
Edwin Aparicio and Carmela. May 22, 2005 (photo by Lenore Boulet) 
Guitarist Steve Svoboda and Courtney. May 22, 2005 (photo by Lenore Boulet) 
Guitarist John Boulet (inventor of Le Technique), Sarah and RJ Uebersezig. May 22, 2005 (photo by Lenore Boulet) [Photo removed for privacy] [Name removed for privacy] and Linette. May 22, 2005 (photo by Lenore Boulet) 
Heather, dancer Tamara Sol Flys, John and Lenore Boulet. May 22, 2005 (photo by [Name removed for privacy]) 
Lorelei with Angel, a Chihuahua in a Sevillanas dress. May 22, 2005 (photo by Lenore Boulet) 
Guitarist Ramin Rad, Jennifer and their daughter Mina Gabriela. Maya 22, 2005 (photo by Lenore Boulet) DC Feria pics by Lenore Boulet (first batch) May 22, 2005 
Quique, Miguelito and Richard Marlow. May 22, 2005 (photo by Lenore Boulet) 
Jason Vera y Aragón, Javier Bustamante, Henry Jova and Quique. May 22, 2005 (photo by Lenore Boulet) 
Miguelito and Richard. May 22, 2005 (photo by Lenore Boulet) 
Aleksey Kulikov and Edwin Aparicio. May 22, 2005 (photo by Lenore Boulet) 
Overton and Marta Chico Martín in Sevillanas. May 22, 2005 (photo by Lenore Boulet) 
Julie, Alex and Carolina in Alegrías. May 22, 2005 (photo by Lenore Boulet) 
Aleksey in Tientos/Tangos. May 22, 2005 (photo by Lenore Boulet)  May 22, 2005 (photo by Lenore Boulet) 
Edwin dancing Alegrías. May 22, 2005 (photo by Lenore Boulet)  May 22, 2005 (photo by Lenore Boulet)  May 22, 2005 (photo by Lenore Boulet)  May 22, 2005 (photo by Lenore Boulet) 
This young girl is already adding her personal touch to her costume! May 22, 2005 (photo by Lenore Boulet) Jaleo Bethesda May 23, 2005 Aleksey writes: Thank you Aleksey! 
Carmela Greco and Edwin Aparicio. May 23, 2005 (photo courtesy of Aleksey Kulikov)  May 23, 2005 (photo courtesy of Aleksey Kulikov)  May 23, 2005 (photo courtesy of Aleksey Kulikov) Cafe Citron May 23, 2005 I did mention that tonight's show was being filmed, I just didn't know the name of the program. It was a good night performance-wise which is a good thing when you're being filmed. We performers are usually very sensitive about these things because, like most people, we want to seen at our very best especially on television. 
May 23, 2005 8:59pm After the show, producer Ruben Najera requested a group interview. So we went downstairs where the noise level wasn't so bad. 
The crew sets up the lights as dancer Sara Jerez teaches the interviewer some basic steps. May 23, 2005 10:05pm 
Gerard Moreno and Jason Vera y Aragón. May 23, 2005 10:06pm 
The sound guy with a microphone on a boom. May 23, 2005 10:06pm 
May 23, 2005 10:06pm Hmmm...this girl looks so familiar. I know have a picture of her somewhere in my photo diary. Is this her? 
May 23, 2005 10:06pm The interview went well. We were all relaxed and comfortable talking in front of the camera--of course we're all performers so we're used to being the center of attention. ;-) The producer gave us his card and he'd let us know when the program will air. Of course, I'll announce it here as soon as I know. Later, I went back upstairs and came across a nice surprise: two of the most searched (and most beautiful) people on my website happened to be here: Jori Mema and Jenifer Jaketic. Each month, I check the statistics of terms typed into my website's search engine. It's interesting to know what my readers search at DCFlamenco.com. To all you Jori fans, sorry, I didn't get any pics last night. Here's a nice one of Jenifer and yours truly: 
Jenifer and Miguelito. May 23, 2005 10:57pm (photo by Jason) She will be performing with Carmen de Vicente's group Requiebros on June 24-25, 2005 at Gunston Arts Center in Arlington. Details DC Feria de Sevilla at Strathmore May 22, 2005 I didn't get home until 1:30am and after a long but awesome day I really should've gone straight to bed, but I know that many of my readers are going to want to see the pics from the Feria. Anyway, it's like 4:13am on Monday as I type these words and I'm getting sleepy. So I'll add more captions and detailed commentary later. (Dance teachers: please help me with the names of your students, thanks!) First of all, thank you to Centro Español de Washington for organizing the DC Feria de Sevilla. This was their 15th Feria! 
May 22, 2005 12:29pm I arrived just in time to say hello to members of Danzamarina before they went onstage to perform. 
Steve Svoboda, Behzad Habibzai, Cecilia Terrasa and Carlton Ashton. May 22, 2005 12:33pm 
It's still early in the day but there were a lot of people. May 22, 2005 12:42pm According to a member of Centro Español, this year's event was the most well-attended thanks to the reputation of the Feria itself, Centro Español and the publicity through the media including the Washington Post Weekend section and of course DCFlamenco.com! What I love about this time of the year is seeing so many of my flamenco-loving friends all in one afternoon. 
Friends from International Student House: Anne, Cheung, Aru and Dennis. May 22, 2005 12:44pm 
Miguelito and Michelle Goldin. May 22, 2005 1:36pm Michelle's Danzamarina was the first dance group to perform. 
Rocio (from Jerez de la Frontera), Arte Flamenco director Natalia Monteleon and Cecilia (from São Paolo, Brazil) May 22, 2005 1:48pm 
Estela Velez and Furia Flamenca members Lillian Mattiaccio, Sylvia Melecio, Vera Kachnowski, Katherine Page, and María Roncal. May 22, 2005 1:53pm In the pic above, the man standing in the back, I've been told, is a very influential person in the DC area's arts community. His name is Cheles Rhynes, co-founder of Mason/Rhynes Productions, founding director of the DC Metro Dance Awards. 
Furia Flamenca performing Farucca. May 22, 2005 1:59pm (photo by Karina Valverde) 
Estela dancing Alegrías. May 22, 2005 2:04pm (photo by Karina Valverde) 
Miguelito and Torcuato Zamora. May 22, 2005 2:08pm (photo by Karina Valverde) The first time I performed in the Feria was 12 years ago in 1993 with the group Danza del Río (directed by Joana del Río). Torcuato and I played together that year. 
María is a fellow Filipino flamenco like yours truly. May 22, 2005 2:17pm (photo by Karina Valverde) 
May 22, 2005 2:22pm (photo by Karina Valverde) 
According to my online survey, the most favorite part of the Feria is the food! As I type these words, 34% voted for the food. May 22, 2005 2:42pm (photo by Karina Valverde) 
Arte Flamenco dancing Sevillanas. May 22, 2005 2:59pm (photo by Micaela Moreno) 
Arte Flamenco members performing Alegrías. May 22, 2005 3:04pm (photo by Micaela Moreno) 
May 22, 2005 3:05pm (photo by Micaela Moreno) 
Arte Flamenco dancer Aleksey Kulikov performing Tientos/Tangos. May 22, 2005 3:11pm (photo by Micaela Moreno) 
May 22, 2005 3:11pm (photo by Micaela Moreno) 
Edwin Aparicio dancing Alegrías. May 22, 2005 3:18pm (photo by Micaela Moreno) 
May 22, 2005 3:20pm (photo by Micaela Moreno) 
Carmela Greco performing Guajiras. May 22, 2005 3:29pm (photo by Micaela Moreno) 
May 22, 2005 3:33pm (photo by Micaela Moreno) You may recognize these friends of mine: 
Carlton Ashton sings and dances for Danzamarina. Nancy Medina is a manager (and my favorite bartender) at Cafe Citron. And Maynold Moreno is a songwriter musician and recording engineer who's helping me on my first CD. May 22, 2005 3:52pm After my two shows on the mainstage, I was determined to get some food this time around. Unfortunately, the lines were very long. So I missed most of the performance by Paco de Málaga and Ana Martinez and friends. As I stood in line at the Sangría Cafe caseta, I ran into my friend Karina. We found a nice spot near the stage to catch the last part of the show: 
Karina Valverde, Miguelito and Jenny Caldwell. May 22, 2005 4:51pm (photo by Carlos) I met Karina almost a year ago at Cafe Citron. She and her friend Jenny take classes at Joy of Motion with Estela Velez. This guy needs no introduction. You all know Steve. ;-) 
Courtney and Steve Svoboda. May 22, 2005 5:36pm 
Jenifer Jaketic (second from left), Edna, Maribel, Miguelito and Pili. Not sure who the men at the ends are. I think they are members of Centro Español. May 22, 2005 5:55pm Pictured below is the hardcore party group. ;-) While the vendors were dismantling their casetas, we helped ourselves to some free sangría they were just giving away. When it was time to go, we grabbed a bite at Guapo's restaurant in Tenleytown, then headed over to Chi-Cha for some drinks and to enjoy the music of Duende Camarón. 
Jason Vera y Aragon, Indira Terrazas, Richard Marlow, Linette, Roxanne, Soheila Nassiri, Jose Oretea, Juan Delgado, Lisette and Miguelito. May 22, 2005 6:22pm (photo by [Name removed for privacy]) My friend Lenore sent me a bunch of pics (more than 50) which I'll add in a day or two. Thanks for your patience. Please post some commentary about the Feria on my message board.
Photos taken with the Olympus Stylus 300 Digital Camera
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My friend Jenifer just
sent me 17 pics! Thanks Jenifer!
