After the formal acts and the presentation of the person writing this, which, however brief it was intended to be, I suppose was still somewhat boring, the first night was sealed for the annals of the festival's history with the cante de The Boy from Gines y The Little Breast, the guitar of Jesus Rodriguez, the beat of Emilio Castaneda y Fali from the Electric and the apotheotic dance touch of Agueda Saavedra ’s relationship with the cante by bulería by soleá of Maria Terremoto, a unique and unrepeatable moment that will remain in the bag of fans' repulsion. El Niño de Gines was a standout performer in seguiriyas, performing a macho performance with poise and spirit. El Pechuguita stood out in the cantefree and made a monument to him by bulerías Luis de la Pica. Jesús was up to the task with his strings, and the beat flowed in the hands of Emilio and Fali. You'll allow me not to delve into the criticism for the sake of not being both judge and jury, although with honesty first and foremost there wouldn't be any problem. Let it remain like that for this time, and at the end I'll tell you more about the peñas.
The second night, paying tribute to Antonio Cortés Pantoja 'Chiquetete', began as if it were a ritual, without any introduction, with the heartfelt sung tribute of Alicia Gil, accompanied by her daughter on the choirs and in the rhythm Carmela Espinosa –who sings more and more beautifully– and her husband Lito Espinosa on the guitar. They formed the best tribute to their friend Antonio, drawing the verses from the heart and tempering in their throats and the bajañí the cantes of the beloved artist, woven together, without seeking prominence, filling the stage with true admiration and affection, like someone praying or helping from anonymity out of the soul's overwhelming need to honor someone they love and remember, regardless of the name of the person offering, but rather the name of the person to whom the tribute is directed. A beautiful gesture.
Manuel Curao presented with his usual excellence – for that he is a master of words – this solidarity festival, which raises funds for the charitable works of the Sacramental Brotherhood of the Gypsies.
"Farruquito got straight to the point, with a few dramatic flourishes, but his dance was glorious. Elegant, manly, and gypsy. With his usual flourishes and kicks, moving everyone as always."
Diego Amador He worked his magic on the piano, digging between its strings, looping his compass, pampering with his cante the echoes of Camarón, dabbling in jazz, brimming with talent in bulerías, alegrías, soleá, taranto, cartagenera… but not full of voice, which diminished his charm, making him less convincing than on other occasions. He's not always the same, despite being a genius. Or precisely because of that.
Argentina She did not go overboard with the repertoire and it was liked that way, more restrained, opening powerfully with tonás and martinetes looking at each other Mairena, sweet in tientos and flirtatious in the tangos of Triana. He thoroughly explored the airs of Utrera in the soleá por bulería, the cantiñas shared with Lebrija and the bulerías or the cuplé of Maria de las Mercedes, without forgetting his birthplace, closing his intervention with pomp through fandangos from Huelva. Javier Ibánez followed her with merits on the guitar. Jose Carrasco did the same with percussion. Juan de Oruco, José de Pitín y Gaspar del Cuchara they put the palmas y Pitín son the second sonanta. Utrera of company.
After an endless and erroneous stage blackout while they prepared the stage for the dance, where they could have easily inserted the emotional tribute that was offered to Chiquetete, whose list of hits played in the background, Farruquito He had no time to do anything but captivate, sweeping the stage. Because there was no room on the clock for abuse. He got straight to the point, with a few spectacular flourishes, but his dance tasted like heaven. Elegant, manly, and gypsy. With the usual flourishes and kicks, thrilling, as always, the usual audience. Mari Vizarraga He slit his throat, paved with sharp pinpricks, and Pepe de Pura sweetened with his personality. The percussion did not fail at the hands of Paquito Vega, marking the paths of the times with pleasure. Antonio Santiago 'Nerd' He excelled in guitar accompaniment, serving without ostentation, precisely, jondo y flamenco.
Fran Cortes, son of Chiquetete, dedicated a handful of lyrics to him, singing and playing, remembering his father already Manuel Molina, being one of the most sensitive moments of the night, with the left hand in his throat and the emotion on the surface.
It wasn't an evening with too many pellizcoYes, although it had its moments. The Tomasa family put the lock on the matter. Three generations of singers from the Alameda lineage, with the Torre y Vallejo in their veins, they combined on the wood the most rancid and traditional orthodoxy with the seal of their breed. They gave a bath of flamenco by right that at that time some were bored and others tasted like bacon from heaven. Because they squandered the designation of origin of their surname starting Manuel de la Tomasa with the Levantine airs of the taranta, accompanied by Gabriel, who curled the melodic cadences of the Triana soleá at will, adding his signature of fine musicality. The veteran Jose de la Tomasa teaching master's degree especially in the Malaga Granada of Cayetano Muriel and the abandoned ones and then by seguiriya, crowning by Curro DurseThe Tomasa tonás round, with the capacity limited to the brave and the tireless, brought the festival to a close with reluctance.
"The veteran José de la Tomasa finished the group, masterfully performing the Granada malagueña of Cayetano Muriel and the abandolaos, followed by a seguiriya, crowned by Curro Durse. The Tomasa toná round, with the audience limited to the brave and the teeming, brought the festival to a close."
In the presence of the children of Chiquetete and the Senior Brother of the Brotherhood of Los Gitanos José Mari Flores, who is leaving office after eight years of leadership and good work, Dew Flowers He read in the space of the tribute the gloss signed by the pen of Antonio Ortega to the admired singer. And gifts were given.
On Friday, the half-century of two was commemorated. peñaFlags of Seville: Forge and Peña Flamenco Cultural of TomaresThe celebration ceremony was attended by the president of the Peña The Forge, Angelita Fernández, and the delegate of the Bellavista district, Alvaro Jesus Pimentel, Concha Prieto as a member of the board of Tomares, president of the Provincial Federation of Seville of Flamenco Entities and also president of the Andalusian Confederation of Peñas FlamencosThe president of the Peña from Tomares, Antonio Novella, the special delegate of the Tomares Mayores Festival, Maria Toledo, y José Mari Flores. They all spoke at the lectern with joy for the fiftieth birthday of both of them. peñas. The Brotherhood of Los Gitanos gave each entity a beautiful figure of the head of their brotherhood. Our Father Jesus of Health and Novella imposed the pin of the fiftieth anniversary of his peña to this presenter.
Forge
La Peña Flamenca Forge Bellavista is one of the most emblematic and with the greatest tradition in Seville, being the second founded in the capital, on April 27, 1975, and which has consolidated its diffusion of flamenco more orthodox, maintaining its activity despite all the difficulties it has suffered and being located on the outskirts of the city, thanks to the voluntary efforts of its members and the support of local fans.
Its foundation was the result of the initiative and passion of a group of friends and fans of flamenco from the Seville neighborhood of Bellavista. Some 45 founding members, many of whom came to Bellavista from different parts of Andalusia, especially from towns in Seville, Córdoba, and Málaga, bringing a diverse and enriching perspective to a project that sought to fill the cultural void. flamenco existing then in his neighborhood.
Among its founders are its first president Vicente Hurtado Cobo, Juan Mendez, Pepe Cabello, Juan José Hidalgo Espadiña, Manuel Martos and brothers Manolo y Juan Muñoz.
The neighborhood already had a certain flamenco tradition since the 1940s, with figures such as Diego the Horse and the Master Leo, but it was the creation of the peña which consolidated its relevance on the map flamenco of Sevilla.
It owes its name to an idea of Antonio Cid Pérez and began his journey on the street Lovers number 18, receiving 'baptism' flamenco' of the Peña Flamenca Torres Macarena to which the first day of this festival was dedicated last year, also to mark the five decades of its creation.
In its first year, La Fragua already had nearly a hundred members and in 1976 the first edition of what would become its star activity took place: the Festival Flamenco Forge, which is the only festival flamenco which was organized in the city of Seville, although now we also have this one, the Gypsy Valley, and which was difficult to recover - that of the Forge - after a few years of absence for the enjoyment of those of us who usually attend the incomparable setting of the Cortijo de Cuarto, where it has been held.
In its journey, the peña It has had two more locations until reaching its current one. The most beloved one, due to its enormous capacity and the place where it forged its importance, is the one on Calle BoilermakersThen the one on the street would come. Alonso Mingo until reaching this one Gaspar CalderasBut I don't want to forget that time when, without an official headquarters, the members continued to meet at the home of a great fan of cante, Aurelia, who did not hesitate to offer what he had so that the coexistence that has always been and continues to be the fundamental pillar in this was not lost peña.
Peña Flamenca from Tomares
La Peña Cultural Flamenca de Tomares was officially registered on December 12, 1975, being the oldest in the Aljarafe region of Seville.
It started on the street Calvo Sotelo, then went through the street From La Fuente, until reaching its current headquarters on the street Camarón de la Isla, in whose construction the same partners participated. The premises are their property. In the beginning, they had a special connection with the Triana neighborhood and its artists, which was fundamental. They set foot there Manolo Dominguez, Chiquetete, Manolo Oliver, The Sandpit, The coconut, The Tit, the father of Curro Fernandez...
La peña Tomares has been characterized since its beginning by its contribution to the dissemination and promotion of flamenco among the residents of this municipality, which they place as a reference in the province of Seville for its programming and solidarity in any project that serves to promote and disseminate the flamenco and to help any other peña flamenca or to the artists. Her recitals are always packed with people, and her flamenco gatherings have reached a high level and are praised by enthusiasts.
Also their Flemish Days They have positioned themselves as one of the 'obligatory' activities for the cabales, in which I had the pleasure of participating last year with a conference on the flamenco of La Alameda that he illustrated The Huts al cante shortly before leaving us. And what can we say about the Festival Flamenco City of TomaresOne of the oldest, not only in the province but in all of Andalusia, which this year also celebrates its 50th edition and boasts a top-class lineup, thanks to the municipal government, and whose cast includes María Terremoto, Israel Fernandez y Manuela Carrasco with a final party that they will embroider Mara Rey, Luis Peña, The Little Breast, Miguel Angel Heredia, Zamara Carrasco y Choir of the KingsIt will be on July 19th.
And to conclude with these four words about Tomares, it is worth highlighting a curious fact, even more so because it is the year in which the Roma people arrive in the Iberian Peninsula 600 years ago. The first president of this peña, Manuel Ramos de los Reyes, and some of the founding members were gypsies, something that has not been and still is not common in the directives of the associative fabric of the flamenco.
On June 20, 2025, shortly after the flamenco event, the Sacramental Brotherhood of Los Gitanos recognized its Senior Brother for his work at the head of the Valle Gitano Festival and thus included it in their web page.
If you are attentive to the networks of expoflamenco, you will soon see some video fragments from the second day of the competition, in addition to the extensive photo report that illustrates these lines.
Credits
VII Festival Flamenco Gypsy Valley
Gardens of the Valley, Seville
In recognition of the 50 years of the Peña Flamenca The Bellavista Forge and the Peña Flamenco Festival of Tomares and in tribute to the memory of Antonio Cortés Pantoja 'Chiquetete'
13 and 14 of June of 2025
Friday June 13
Cante: José El Pechuguita and The Boy from Gines
Guitar: Jesus Rodriguez
Compass: Emilio Castañeda and Fali del Eléctrico
Guest artists, cante and dance: María Terremoto and Águeda Saavedra
Presenter: Kiko Valle
Saturday 14 June
CanteAlicia Gil, Carmela Espinosa (backing vocals), Argentina, Fran Cortés, José, Gabriel and Manuel de la Tomasa
Accompaniment from Argentina:
Guitar, Javier Ibañez
Percussion, José Carrasco
PalmasJuan de Oruco, José de Pitín and Gaspar del Cuchara
Second guitar, Pitín Jr.
Piano flamenco soloist and cante: Diego Amador
Dance: Farruquito
Cante accompanying the dance: Mari Vizárraga and Pepe de Pura
Guitar: Antonio Santiago 'Ñoño'
Percussion: Paquito Vega
Presenter: Manuel Curao
