Once again, a weekend full of flamenco activities has been enjoyed in Jerez, a city that continually celebrates the Day of Flamenco which will become more prominent with the arrival of November 16th in other locations. This isn't just a continuous celebration, as some who see Andalusia as the "fair" of Spain would say. It's much more. It's flamenco culture available to society. Ordinary people have access to an offering they should be familiar with, because it's what gives them their identity. That's one of the key factors driving these high-quality activities. peñaflamenco s: creation of new audiences.
It should be remembered that the Local Federation of Peñas Flamencos signed with the current Municipal Government –also with the previous one under other conditions– a subsidy endowed with 240 thousand euros within the framework of the candidacy for Capital 2031 for the years 2024, 2025 and 2026. This certainly makes some peñas that do not have so many partners can also make a firm commitment to high-level programs.
On Friday we went to the Flamenco Gathering Pepe Alconchel, where there are very good people, members who work their bar to obtain some profit and reinvest it in the expenses incurred by their establishment. The young artist Lucia Aliaño She was the protagonist, in a sublime dialogue between her piano and her voice, a celestial metal that she masters with certainty. She seems like a professional with years of experience, but let no one forget that she is only fifteen years old. I have known her since her first steps and her talent was already surprising, singing for El Chozas or La Bolola. She dances, sings, plays the trumpet, the piano... I don't know of a similar case. She designed a recital between the flamenco and the song (including a prayer to her Virgin of Solitude), with elegance and poise, accompanied by Paco León, And the palmas de Strain y Tate Nunez. the gypsy queen He bets on her, gives her some keys to make the piano sound very flamenco And she succeeds. Lucía has a promising future ahead of her, for the good of music and for all of us.
"Ezequiel Benítete has a new album coming out, which he'll present at the Jerez Festival. Stay tuned. Por seguiriya it hurts, por fandangos he enchants, and por trilla captivates us. Por bulerías he expresses how happy he is, and that's contagious."
Saturday meant a split. At 3:30 p.m., a Jerez-style dance was held in the Peña The Fisherman. Luckily you can always have a tortilla sandwich or a small plate of hot stew: it's another incentive to visit these peñaThey are so tasty. The auditorium was packed to welcome Fernando Jiménez. With the cante de Juanelo y Manuel Moneo, and with the guitar of Fernando del Morao, gave a powerful, solemn, and professional recital, worthy of the best theater. His movements strike a balance between the thoughtful and the improvised, with elegant arm movements and highly personal gestures that place him in a position of admiration. When he dances bulerías, he is more Jerez than ever, something not to be missed. He plays with rhythms, voices, and guitar, looks at the audience, and wins them over. The audience is on its feet, the party closes with Coral of the Kings, Momo Moneo and María Bermúdez, and no one blinked because every second there was pellizco.
At eight o'clock in the evening, the Peña The Zua offered his second recital of the autumn cycle. He did not do so at his headquarters, but at the Fernández-Gao Winery from the stately and central Arcos Street. Pedigreed, selective and demanding fans gathered to listen to Dolores Agujetas. Without a PA system, the daughter of the great Manuel, whom she mentioned at various points during the evening, returned to her homeland to leave her family's mark firmly etched in fire. Without a PA system, racial and unclassifiable, unique in her ways and authenticity, hurtful, untamed... She never does anything the same as the last time, and that's what we like the most. Soleá and seguiriyas, fandangos, tientos... and some bulerías with the dances of Anna Maria Lopez y Angelita Gomez, and two girls who will one day boast: “I danced that night surrounded by those great figures.” Domingo Rubichi's It is the guarantee, the other half, responsible for much.
En The chains singing Luis de Mateo, that Kiko Valle tells it, and at the newly opened headquarters of the Peña The Kestrels I did it Zarzuela Fran from Algeciras, And the palmas de José Peña y Ali of the TotaI couldn't be there, they were waiting for me at The Good PeopleYes, I've heard it was a great night. The stage of this well-established new venue was inaugurated for everyone. Joy, celebration, and quality to kick off a new era. Ezekiel Benitez formed her in La Buena Gente with Paco León, Naím Real and Edu Gómez.
The Jerez native is used to sweeping the world, but what is more important is when it happens in his homeland with a peña to the brim. There was no room. Brilliant in each of his executions, canteThey last as long as they have to, nothing cloying, everything full of rhythm, even the cantes free, unmistakable connection with the audience who sing his lyrics along with him. By the way, everything he sings is his own handwriting, reminiscent of the masters but current, and many young people gathered to enjoy him. He has a new album in the offing, which he will present at the Jerez FestivalPay attention. Por seguiriya hurts, por fandangos enchants, and por trilla captivates us. Por bulerías expresses how happy he is, and that is truly contagious.
Friend Juan, we were at the "Pepe Alconchel" on Friday. It was a real luxury, from your splendid and accurate presentation of Lucía and her colleagues, until the end of the party. We wanted to say hello, but you always had someone talking to you and we didn't want to be a "cut-point" (hahaha). I liked the nod you mentioned about "Youth", which young artists like Lucía are bringing to the Peña that are in great need of a young presence. Congratulations to Lucía, to you, to Paco León, to Tate and Cepa Núñez and of course, to the Tertulia Flamenca "Pepe Alconchel" with Him and its board at the head. A hug and my congratulations to Joselu Aliaño and Carmen Bascon for bringing us to this world Flamenco to this wonderful ARTIST. Until next time, friends!!! 🎼🎶🎵🙏❤️ THANK YOU.