El flamenco There is a lack of experiences. There are many plastic singers, serialized on YouTube. Before, they got drunk on art and spent three days partying after a festival, at a wedding or a baptism. Payos and gypsies. The latter, more. The old people were venerated. They respected what many call purity, which is nothing more than the honest truth that accompanies tradition in each one. There was a lot of interest in the cantes of this or that and they would kick the bull's hide to steal a third from whoever. Now we believe that because almost everything is on the net, we know more than anyone else. And the treatment, the nuances, the touch, the seal are lost...
You spent a day with whoever, listening attentively. You came home, tried to pay homage to them with all your abilities, and since you didn't have a cell phone to record it and repeat it like a copyist until you were sick of it, you put in your own work. With this little bit from here and another from there, you forged your personality. When there was talent and age, geniuses flourished. It's not to be a pain or to get stuck in the melancholy that any time past was better. There is no more firewood than what burns and today things are different. But it happened there. There was a reason.
But if you don't try, if you are a good fan and you end up humbly rubbing shoulders with those who know about this, I don't know how, but you end up getting involved in the parties. People have asked me many times What do you have to do to get to a party? And I was wondering about it myself. And I still do. But without realizing it, they emerge along the way. You have to be there. And be. The rest comes by itself. When you force it, it makes no sense.
This is the case of The Antonio Mairena Art House, which organizes a meeting of coexistence with partners, supporters, artists and personalities from the world of flamenco with those who have a certain affinity for whatever reason. All that is needed is a pot of chickpeas with menudo and good broths, a snack, a nibble, sweets and the people who have to be there. On this occasion it was at the La Gabriela Farm, from the friend Chelu Morales that, together Manuel Jimenez Rios, president of the club, and the good people that surround him on his board, could not have been a better host.
«At the House of Art Flamenco Antonio Mairena we met a good bunch of fans just for the purpose of sharing and enjoying, without money or any other interest other than having a good time eating, cante, touch and dance among those of us who like the good stuff. Art conversations, debates jondos, other personal ones, laughter, tears… in a healthy, no-nonsense environment»
There it was. There was a reason. They received an award that they had yet to collect. Pepa Montes —what a big foot he hit— and Ricardo Minho, to whom they dedicated This year the National Competition of Cante Jondo Antonio Mairena. And the atmosphere was heating up until the bulería of Nano from Jerez He uncorked the grace and it spread through the sand. Then the time was favorable for the seguiriya, soleá, bulería por soleá, Levante and others palos. The guitar was raffled off Lito Espinosa y Ricardo Minho. Boy, were they one-handed! Peter Richard He wasn't going to bring the piano, but he enjoyed it like everyone else. Alicia Gil She gave herself over to flamenco, curling the warm melismas of her Triana throat, the same for tangos as for bulerías or soleá de Triana, where she revives the dormant echoes of the memory of the cava. We enjoyed the gypsy spirit of the cante and the dance of Little jar and her husband, the father of Antonio Reyes, who may have trouble walking, but not dancing. And the substance of Remedios Reyes, more flamenco than a mole. Or the little stabs of the Malaga woman Paqui Rios, which left those who did not know her speechless, slapping themselves in the face. They also got angry Susana Romero, Juan Castulo, Juaneque embroidering the cantes malagueños, his daughter Lourdes Galvez del Postigo for abandoning you and even the shameless one who writes to you, pointing out the soleá and already among the last jartibles for fandangos. I hope I don't forget any. If so, forgive me.
There we met a good bunch of fans just for the purpose of sharing and enjoying, without money or any other interest other than having a good time eating, cante, touch and dance among those of us who like the good stuff. Art conversations, debates jondos, other personal ones, laughter, tears… in a healthy, no-nonsense environment.
I could name many of those who attended, but many more would be left out. Although I don't want to end the event without at least mentioning my friends. Antonino Parrilla, Carmen Arjona, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Antonio Conde, Luis Rojas…in addition to those I have already listed above. And more. My holy wife, Sara, who puts up with what is not in the writings.
Life is only three days. And if you spend one of them partying with the House of Art Flamenco Antonio Mairena, he is well done. I assure you.
