It's not just happening in Jerez, but the public is flocking to the great flamenco offerings of the Andalusian summer. And this is coming from someone who has traveled hundreds of miles from festival to festival these past few months. In the city of Cádiz, for example, tickets put on sale for festivals like the 19th edition have sold out 100%. Estival Cajasol, the Cadiz is Flamenco, or those who continue celebrating since Flamenco, Roots and Bastion. Also the public attendance in peñaso events organized by them (La Perla or Juanito Villar) are of great relevance.
The same thing has happened in Jerez with the popular ones Friday Flamencos, and we say it in plural because there were four. The first of these, on July 25th, was free of charge, in the heart of the Santiago neighborhood, with a great bulerías festival that would follow the celebration of a Flamenco Mass for the patron saint of Spain and patron saint of the parish. They were there, led by Luis de Perikin, a large number of voices such as those of Manuela Fernández, Gema Carrasco, Manuela and Dolores de Perikín, Manuel de Cantarote, Nono de Perikín or Felipa del Moreno, with guitars by Luis himself and his brother Manuel Jero, as well as percussion by Juan Diego Valencia Jr. More than a thousand people, maybe more, because I'm terrible at visual overviews and getting an accurate estimate. But it was packed, and the heart of this traditional, gypsy neighborhood was taking its pulse.
They then moved on to the Cloisters of Santo Domingo, a central and heritage enclave that is unrivaled for taste. The first three Fridays in August, for three peñaJerezanas and the support of the Local Federation. It's curious that, as in so many areas of everyday life, the incongruity of public opinion is evident. In this case, fans still miss the snack bar on the corner. Of course, being a heritage site, bars of any kind are not allowed, or at least they try not to (I don't know if it's by law). On the other hand, the "problem" this year has been that the tickets have sold out; years ago, the handicap was that they weren't even half full. "This is too small," some people said. And last year, it was really big? #FromWithin We talk about what we see, which is no small thing, and it's not to brag. Many yearn for the patio of the Astoria Cinema, where shows have been held for years, especially in the 90s and early 2000s (since its founding in 1988), with a family atmosphere, smelling of pescaito fried and, on many occasions, not very quiet.
«The Friday cycle Flamenco It was created in 1988, taking over from the Thursdays Flamencos by Manuel Morao, when the Bulería Festival had already been the main event of the year in Jerez since 1967. After the Fridays, other series have emerged. We can say that they are the eldest children of the Bulería Festival.
La Peña The Buleria It arrived with a significant presence of artists from San Miguel, such as José Berenjeno, Tamara de Tañé, two important singers, and Saray García as a dancer of charming balance, and the guest presence of Manuel de Malena, a universal singer-teacher from Jerez. Solemnity in time, as it is the peña where the bulería rests every night. That night the guitars of Antonio Malena son and of John Campallo, as well as in cante accompanying Saray were The Quini y Carmen Grilo, and the sonanta of Fernando del Morao. The palmas de Markito Carpio y Ali of the Tota set the pace.
Time for the Peña Uncle Joseph with its president at the head, the singer Joaquín El Zambo, with a display of jingle typical of his family. His son was there Abraham El Zambo, an immeasurable Felipa del Moreno, and an exultant José Gálvez to the guitar. The elegant dance put it Fernando Jiménez, graceful with the cante Manuel Moneo Carrasco and Enrique Remache, and Fernando del Morao's guitar playing again. There was no shortage of bulerías, festivities, and short Jerez dances featuring Tía Yoya, Luisa Garrido, La Majuma, and Merci del Chícharo, with the rhythm of Manuel Salado and Javi. Peña.
To close, with another resounding 'no tickets', the Peña Good People, betting on the Moneo saga in its singing splendor Luis Moneo and the unusual dance of Gem Moneo. Luis is the patriarch of the cante From La Plazuela, its echo is a light and a guide for those who come, and its metal is like that of a diamond. It masters a wide repertoire and demonstrates this with soleá, seguiriya, cantes from Cádiz… His son Juan is his escort, he knows him like no one else and gives sound to the silences. Javi Peña and Ali de la Tota were his palmerosAnd Gema is another guarantee, with movements that shake the soul. Jesus Rodriguez y Jesus Caught The Guard on guitars, Manuel Tañé and Juan de la María, cante, Melchor Borja on keyboard and percussion, and Gema on movement.
The Friday cycle Flamenco It was created in 1988, as mentioned above, taking over from Thursdays Flamencos by Manuel Morao, when the Bulería Festival had already been the main event of the year in Jerez since 1967. After the Fridays, other series have emerged. We could say that they are the eldest children of the Bulería Festival.
