La Snow Candle It was celebrated with the smell of crowds, bringing those historic nights to the present with the cream of the crop flamenco (also of copla and literature) of every stage for sixty-four years. You will know, at least by hearsay, that Arcos de la Frontera is one of the most beautiful towns in southern Spain, even in the entire country. It is the door or the window, depending on how you look at it, to the Route of the White Villages from the mountains of Cádiz.
Its narrow whitewashed streets, steep slopes, churches and squares imbue every step you take on its stones with charm. If you look out from the balcony of the Cabildo Square, with its colloquial and offensive nickname, you find freedom. You seem to be flying with your feet on the ground. peña on which the orography of Arcos is based culminates practically there, the highest point is the Castle, near the Minor Basilica of Santa Maria of the Assumption, where the Virgen de las Nieves, patron saint of the town that celebrates its festival on August 5th.
In the same square, now undergoing urban restoration after the previous municipal government rebuilt it, causing widespread damage and failing to achieve its goals, stands the Parador, with views of the Guadalete Gorge. The artist set out from here on the night of August 4th. Estrella Morente to approach the stage located a few meters from the door while I gave him way. They didn't let me finish; the audience started to applaud.
Escorted by a series of municipal guards, she shone from that moment until just after three in the morning when she left the stage surrounded by numerous fans who wanted to hug her, take a photo with her, and hold her close. She was in charge of closing this edition, which was dedicated to Enrique Morente, who was given the Gold medal of the festival posthumously.
"Juan, how's my time? I usually drag my feet," Estrella Morente asked me while sipping water from a balloon glass. "You're in charge, there's no rush," I replied. "I had a great time!"
The lineup presented for the occasion featured Estrella as the main attraction. There's no doubt that having her at a festival flamenco It's already news, as he may be used to participating in less classic format cycles. On top of that, entry here was free, so the square was packed with people from the afternoon onwards, and more people kept coming through the surrounding streets looking for a spot. It's a shame that many of them were just there to hang out, not to listen or respect the people next to them or the professionals. Another shame was the sound, which was never convincing, despite the fact that, as I know, the PA technician named Juan worked his butt off to minimize the damage. That said, it was enjoyed, and the evening ended with the Granada native giving herself to a crowd who began circling the stage, filming her with his cell phone, to which she responded by giving away her hair flower and the occasional comb.
This town is a land of poetry and good fans, with the Murciano brothers, the master Velázquez Gaztelu or Julio Mariscal. The flamenco It has been a cherished culture and there is tradition, since after the Utrera Gypsy Stew came the Velá de las Nieves. Among the audience, an artist who was present at the first edition (although she had a different name at the time) and who also holds the Gold Medal, the maestro Angelita GomezHe told me, on my way to Arcos from Jerez, that he came with me by car, that he still remembers how Terremoto sang seguiriyas to him that night.
Ana Gómez She was the one in charge of opening the show, the local artist who mainly works in Seville, singing to renowned dancers, something she is proud of. She defended her position well with the guitar of Javier Ibanez, palmas de Abel Arana y José Carlos Marchante, who danced bulerías to him at the end, and the winds of Sergio de Lope, receiving applause in his speeches. He followed Pruna Blonde, together with The Pearl on the guitar and Joseph of Mode on percussion. A classic recital, with his powerful voice, his mastery of rhythm, and his wide range of registers. He won over the audience with his tangos. I recommend listening to his first album, Pureza Street, with great collaborations.
Andrés Peña He is a Jerez-born dancer with part of his paternal family in Arcos de la Frontera, which made him seem more excited than usual. Enjoyable in the tangos, more solemn in the farruca and brave in the bulerías, always on the razor's edge in gestures, movements and rhythms. The audience was on its feet, without fail. He carried with him an arsenal of good cante, with The London y David Carpio, palmas infallible of Carlos Grilo and the guitar of Oscar LakeStanding on a chair, he almost touched the bells of the Santa María tower with his wrists.
Finally, Estrella, collecting the Gold medal from the hands of the mayor, Miguel Rodríguez, and the municipal corporation. She seemed excited, friendly, grateful, and I don't think she was exaggerating. Afterwards, she liked a series of canteleading to the tangos of the Hill of the Paloseas, Volver and The Night of My Love… He didn't want to leave. With his people, Jose Carbonell to the guitar, the palmas de Curro Conde, Antonio Carbonell y Remedios Heredia, exhausted the sensitivity of his soul. “Juan, how long am I supposed to be? I usually drag my feet,” he said to me while sipping water from a balloon glass. “You’re in charge, there’s no rush,” I replied. I had a great time!
