Day: May 2, 2008

Whilst searching for suitable clipart for the previous post, I came across some quirky flamenco / sevillanas related videos that I thought deserved a post of their own!

A woman dressed in sevillanas dress is a classic image that means Spain to so many – I’m sure there are at least 25 little girls at school who have a sevillanas outfit (they wore them on EDL day!!) As part of their Spanish lessons, I think it’s important that pupils learn more than the language. They are very curious about life in Spain and particularly fascinated by anything that is different to England. We’ve had a go at flamenco ‘palmadas‘ before – a challenge when the class find clapping a regular rhythm hard – and certain classes enjoy watching me demonstrate the first compás of sevillanas – probably as I end up dizzy!

There are many videos of ‘real’ flamenco but I can’t wait to get back to school to show these little videos as I know they will appeal to this curiosity as well as their sense of humour!

Firstly, a simple animation using the image of the sevillanas dress.

The second is a clay stop-motion animation – not sure I could do that, but could have a go!

And the final one, my favourite – a flamenco dancing frog! What could be better, eh?

Today I received an email from the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencias about a record breaking attempt at the largest ever flamenco display. Here’s the message!

Come and join the world’s record breaking Sevillanas dance!
London’s Regent Street will be given over to hundreds of Sevillanas
dancers on Sunday 25 May as they attempt to set a new Guinness World
Record™for the largest ever flamenco dancing display.

If you want to take part and help break the record, simply register at
http://tastespain.info/registeration.php?idioma=uk and we’ll be in
touch with details.

If you are also interested in attending free sevillanas lessons in
London, find  further information at
http://tastespain.info/schools.php?idioma=uk

The record attempt launches a two week festival of Spanish culture in
Regent Street, Heddon Street and Borough Market organised by the Spanish
Tourist Office, and marks the start of the build up to Big Dance 2008,
http://www.london.gov.uk/bigdance/
the week-long celebration of dance organised by Greater London
Authority.

Click on the menu to the left for details of Spanish cultural events
including live entertainment and the chance to try the best food and wine
from Spain.

If you would like to receive further information, please go to
http://tastespain.info/masInformacion.php?idioma=uk

So, if you’re at a loose end, fancy a trip to London and have a bit of angst to express, why not join in?

I went to ‘sevillanas’ lessons for a year when I first began teaching – I loved it and it was SO therapeutic but the lessons were on the other side of Birmingham and life got too hectic – unfortunately. But I still feel the urge to stamp, clap and look very haughty when I hear the music. This is just the sort of thing I’d have loved to be involved in, but I will be in Spain, possibly not dancing flamenco, but having a great time I’m sure ;o)