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The Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Flamenco with kilts full of genius moments – Compañía Manuel Liñán: Muerta de Amor review
It was Manuel Liñán's last show ¡Viva! that made everyone sit up and take notice. In it, his all-male company were dressed in the full frills of traditional women's flamenco dresses, pulling at the seams of the dance form's carefully constructed gender roles. New work Muerta de Amor may have less overt a concept, but it's still rich in originality, with a few genius moments (and he hasn't completely jettisoned dresses). This time it's out with the polka dots and in with sleek black fashiony takes on flamenco costume – sheer top, kilt-style skirt, long leather jacket. In power poses behind a row of mic stands the men look like a still-handsome boyband on their multimillion-dollar reunion tour. The show's title might talk of the death of love, but desire – physical and emotional – are very much pulsatingly alive here, alongside vulnerability, angst, passion and humour. With Liñán, his six dancers and the band, is the mighty singer Mara Rey, who can blow your socks off with husky volume and dramatic chutzpah. But in this show, everyone sings, like a series of monologues (I say it every year, but with lyrics so central, some surtitles for non-Spanish speakers would be helpful). The singing's good, but the dancing is excellent. From the fantastic chemistry between Liñán and Miguel Heredia, mirroring each other's moves with relish, to the balletic flourish of José Ángel Capel. Liñán sits back on a chair to be regaled by Juan Tomás de la Molia's torrent of footwork, full of peacocking prowess, jabbing at syncopations with sharp heels, racing neck-and-neck with the music, the rhythm driving through him just like the copious testosterone. The mood is flirtatious, and exhilarating. Best of all is a duet with Alberto Sellés, less blistering, more tender, more ambiguous. Liñán is most effective when forging specific gestures, knowing when not to move, to hold back rather than splurge everything out. I've never known a flamenco dancer who believed in the maxim 'leave them wanting more', and by the long final section, there's more in this show than necessary. It risks undermining itself in an eruption of pleasure, ego and neediness, but that's basically the show's whole theme. A text flashes up on the backdrop, rough translation: 'Anyone, as long as they love me.' Part of the Flamenco festival, which continues at Sadler's Wells, London, until 8 June
Times of Oman
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times of Oman
Royal Opera House Muscat celebrates a stunning fusion of heritage in ‘Memories of Alhambra'.
Muscat: The Royal Opera House Muscat proudly hosted two unforgettable evenings of Memories of Alhambra: A Journey Through Arab-Andalusian Musical Culture on Thursday 8 and Friday 9 May 2025. This original ROHM production captivated audiences with a deeply moving homage to the shared artistic legacy of Arab and Andalusian cultures, brought to life through music, dance, and storytelling. Presented in collaboration with ArtesRed and Patronato de la Alhambra, Memories of Alhambra transcended borders and eras, weaving a rich tapestry of cultural memory. The production featured the masterful Compañía Flamenca Antonio Andrade, the Alaa Zouiten Arabic Ensemble, and the Flamenco Orchestra of Seville, in a breathtaking fusion of flamenco, Arabic classical music, and contemporary interpretation. Omani oud virtuoso Ziyad Al Harbi and narrator Qusai Mansoor anchored the performance with emotional depth and local resonance, while renowned soloists Antonio Andrade, Alaa Zouiten, Graci del Saz, Úrsula Moreno, and José Galváñ infused the stage with international artistry and soul. Reflecting on the production and its place in the season, Umberto Fanni, Director General of the Royal Opera House Muscat, remarked: 'As we draw the 2024–2025 season to a close, Memories of Alhambra stands as a poignant reminder of the power of art to bridge histories, cultures, and identities. The Royal Opera House Muscat's is dedicated to fostering cross-cultural dialogue and preserving artistic heritage through world-class productions.' As the season concludes, audiences are reminded that tickets are still available for the highly anticipated Ragheb Alama concerts, taking place on 23 and 24 May 2025. These special performances by the beloved Lebanese superstar will bring the 2024–2025 season to a spectacular close.
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Travel + Leisure
11-05-2025
- Travel + Leisure
This Destination Is Among Spain's Last Great Undiscovered Coastal Cities—and There's No Tourist Trap in Sight
The Castillo de San Sebastián, a crumbling 18th-century fortress at the end of a long causeway in Cádiz, Spain, was locked behind an iron gate. But on the June morning I visited, the tide was low, and I noticed a couple of fishermen wading among the rocks beneath the high stone walls. I took off my sandals and walked along the base of the ramparts, trying not to slip on the kelp. After about 10 minutes, I made it to the far end of the fortress and rounded the corner. Turns out, there's a secret tidal beach below the turrets with sublime views of the Atlantic. The beach was empty except for a young surfer named Rafael, who was chilling in the sun. He asked me what I thought of his hometown. I rhapsodized about the fried shrimp tortillitas, the street-corner flamenco, the hidden surprises like this one. Rafael's knowing smile made it clear that he had heard it all before. 'If you can't be happy in Cádiz,' he told me, 'the problem likely isn't Cádiz.' From left: Worshippers at Cádiz Cathedral; a balcony in the city's historic quarter. From left: Sunset on La Caleta beach; jumping off the Paseo Fernando Quiñones causeway. Lately, the city (population 110,000) has started getting more love from the outside world. New hotels are addressing the long-standing lack of good accommodations, and the harbor is now a busy stop for cruise ships bound for Lisbon and Málaga. While the crowds swell in July and August, Cádiz manages to retain its seductive mix of grandeur and grit year-round. A few blocks from the Castillo is a cluster of divey fish joints and bars, including Taberna Casa Manteca, where everyone orders and reorders chicharrones especiales (sliced pork belly) doused with lemon and served on wax paper. Down the street are the ruins of the Teatro Romano, an amphitheater built around 100 B.C., when Cádiz was already an ancient city, having been founded by the Phoenicians a full millennium earlier. From left: Alameda Apodaca, a seaside promenade; playing foosball at Pub Alipama. The nearby Mercado Central, where I saw a fishmonger hacking away at a 200-pound bluefin tuna, morphs into a lively food court by lunchtime, with stalls that serve fresh-caught sashimi, vegan tapas, and local wines. Around the corner looms the Baroque-Neoclassical Cádiz Cathedral, a remnant of the city's 18th-century golden era, when Cádiz was Spain's main harbor and a gateway to the Americas. (On religious holidays you'll see the giant doors swing open for somber processions led by burly men carrying statues of a crying Virgin Mary.) Beyond the sights, a key attraction is the renowned humor of the Gaditanos, as the city's inhabitants are called. When I first read that Cádiz had the funniest people in Spain, I was doubtful. Can one town be intrinsically wittier than the next town over? An investigation was in order. Every winter before Lent, Cádiz holds a raucous 10-day carnival and street party that spotlights comedy even more than music and dance. It kicks off with a satirical song competition in the ornate Gran Teatro Falla. And if you chat with Gaditanos any time of year, you'll quickly notice that many rely on wisecracks as their default mode of small talk. Cádiz Cathedral towers over the coastline. On my first night in town, I stopped at Taberna La Manzanilla, an alleyway bar that serves local sherries straight from the barrel. (Sherry is synonymous with nearby Jerez and has been produced in the region for centuries.) I mentioned to the bartender that it was my first time trying a dry Manzanilla. He glanced at my middle-aged face and said, with a grin, 'A little late, no?' Another afternoon, over beers, I explored the finer points of Cádiz humor with José Luis García Cossío, a carnival performer and writer better known as El Selu. He noted that Cádiz had long been an economic underdog because of the decline of shipbuilding and other industries. 'For years Cádiz has been cursed with few jobs and few resources,' he said. 'So why is everyone smiling?' He surmised that Gaditanos had elevated life's humblest pleasures—cracking jokes, watching the sun set—to an art form, because those have often been the only ones available. 'In the north of Europe—say in Germany—people live in better circumstances. But they don't always live well.' From left: Playa Santa María del Mar, near the city center; Café Royalty. Listán, a local wine bar owned by a former sommelier. Gaditanos, of course, have their moodier and more tempestuous sides—and an artful way of expressing them. Flamenco was born in southern Spain, and the scene in Cádiz is smaller and more intimate than in bigger cities like Seville, which is dominated by splashy, tourist-oriented performances. One weekend night I visited Peña Flamenca Juan Villar, a windowless bar with a vaulted ceiling that offers live shows most Fridays. An audience of about 75—who all seemed to be locals, except for me and a Dutch couple—roared and cheered as a gifted dancer named David Nieto shook the stage in a whir of heel stomps, wrist flicks, and head snaps. From left: An afternoon drink at El Cañon; a guest room at Casa Cánovas, a boutique hotel in the historic city center. 'Flamenco is an art, but in bigger cities they've figured out how to turn it into a business,' Nieto, who also runs a dance school in nearby San Fernando, told me later. 'Here, that hasn't happened yet. The upside is that the essence of flamenco is still being preserved.' After the show, I soon found myself back on sand—this time on the moonlit Playa de la Caleta, a small beach near the city's historic center. Although Cádiz is technically a peninsula, connected to the mainland by a thin strip of sand, it feels like a small island, since you're never more than a few blocks from a beach or a waterfront promenade. Crime is low, maybe because everyone seems to know everyone else's mother. Locals play soccer at the Puerta de Tierra. On one of my last mornings, I stopped at a fruit stand to pick up a few nectarines. When it was time to pay, I apologized to the cashier for having only a 50-euro note, since I'd come straight from the ATM. 'You're lucky,' she said. 'My ATM gives me only tens, and very few of them.' Once she saw that I got the joke, she laughed, then handed me an extra piece of fruit for free. Áurea Casa Palacio Sagasta: This newish hotel in the old town is set in a Baroque mansion that once housed the British embassy. Casa Cánovas Boutique Hotel: Opened in 2022, this 10-room hotel is in the historic center, making it a better base than the larger hotels near the beach. Parador de Cádiz: Part of a state-run collection of luxury hotels, this property has ocean views, a great pool, and modern interiors. Balandro: With its artful takes on classic Spanish dishes, this is a solid choice for an indulgent three-hour lunch. Café Royalty: A restored Belle Époque café, and a rare place for a quiet coffee. El Faro de Cádiz: One of the city's top seafood restaurants, this beloved spot also has a bar that serves tapas and casual fare. La Cepa Gallega: This old-school taberna serves a range of sherries to a lively crowd. Listán Wine Tasca: A welcoming wine bar owned by a former sommelier who seems to know every obscure vintage in Cádiz province. Mercado Central: Seafood abounds at this historic market in the city's old town. Pub Alipama: A quirky bar in the city center with games. Taberna Casa Manteca: If the line is too long at this Cádiz institution, run by the descendants of a beloved bullfighter, you can order a shrimp tortillita to go. Taberna La Manzanilla: Order a dry sherry at this classic early-20th-century tavern. Gran Teatro Falla: During carnival time, tickets for this historic theater are hard to snag. But performers roam the streets day and night, so you'll see a show without even trying. La Perla de Cádiz: A cavernous flamenco hall that hosts some of Andalusia's top performers. Peña Flamenca Juan Villar: Don't go for the food, go for the weekend flamenco shows at this no-frills joint. A version of this story first appeared in the June 2025 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline 'Fiesta Forever .'
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
$70K in funding for global Festival Flamenco event cut by federal government
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A local organization that hosts a global flamenco performance is struggling to put on its marquee event after the federal government cut tens of thousands of dollars in funding. And those cuts are coming at the absolute worst time. Story continues below Members from the National Institute of Flamenco's Yjastros, The American Flamenco Repertory Company, and University of New Mexico students studying Flamenco, carefully correct their movements as Ana Morales, a guest artist visiting from Spain, adjusts and clarifies their work. Morales, who recently received the prestigious National Dance Prize, is one of several featured performers in the upcoming 38th annual Festival Flamenco. But this year's Festival faces a challenge unlike ever before. 'I received an email from the National Endowment for the Arts stating that the grant funding was being withdrawn,' said Marisol Encinias, Executive Director of the National Institute of Flamenco. The Trump Administration's budget cuts include a $70,000 grant the institute has received over the past 15 years. 'This year, because we were awarded the grant, and we moved forward with that, it was part of our budget. So, this is a big blow,' said Encinias. The grant for this year was awarded in November 2024. Now, with only 45 days left until the nine-day festival, the institute is meant to be working on its finishing touches. 'At this time, it's unfortunate to have our focus pulled from what we really need to be doing, but I just would like to tell everybody that the festival is moving forward,' said Encinias. Travel costs have been paid for artists coming from around the world. Visas have been approved, all since October of 2024. Cancelling the event, Encinias says, is not an option. 'It's an event that serves people from around the world, and it really does support the work that we do in this community year-round,' said Encinias. The community is rallying behind the group during what the institute calls a time of uncertainty. 'Though we are a little nervous, we're pushing forward in faith,' said Encinias. The National Institute of Flamenco has seven days to appeal the decision. They plan to make their appeal on Thursday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
Times
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Flamenco dressmakers out of fashion as big retailers cut in
The profusion of brilliant colours and designs of flounced flamenco dresses worn at Seville's annual feria have dazzled visitors for more than a century. The style has inspired designers at Yves Saint Laurent and Dolce & Gabbana, not to mention Madonna. But as the week-long event began on Tuesday, experts raised fears that the growing availability of cheap flamenco dresses posed a threat to the city's seamstresses. 'For some time now, with the boom of the feria, everyone wants to wear flamenco dresses, and certain low-cost companies have started to bring out their own versions,' said Pilar Larrondo, the creator of Wappissima, a social media platform dedicated to flamenco fashion. A dress by designer Yolanda Rivas was shown at the International Flamenco Fashion Week in Seville last year CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP/GETTY IMAGES 'If a small firm from Seville makes a collection of 30 dresses to survive
