Cultural ritual that defines flamenco

I really can’t stand these brainy titles. Will simplify. One day you start thinking that maybe it would be fun to take some flamenco dance, guitar, or even singing classes. Whether you're Spanish or not, male or female, young or old, the adventure promises to bring excitement with minimal risk or expense. And you imagine how cool it’s going to sound when you casually drop your new hobby in conversation, as if it’s no big deal: oh, it’s getting late, I have to go, I’ve got flamenco class.

But flamenco grabs you on a more complex level, it doesn’t allow for a superficial relationship. After the first encounter, you begin to uncover the cultural richness behind it…the history, cuisine, visual arts, wines, and especially the religious aspect, as shown through the many Catholic rituals associated with Holy Week in Andalusia.

On Sunday I was able to accompany partners and friends of the Peña Flamenca Uncle Jose de Paula on his visit to the historic Church of Santiago Located in the heart of the flamenco neighborhood right in front of the headquarters of the peña, to the kiss of the feet of Our Father Jesus of the Arrest. A lot of ecclesiastical vocabulary interwoven with flamenco allusions that were obligatorily present in the emotional interpretations of saetas sung by some of those present, such as Joaquín Zambo, President of the peña Uncle José de Paula, or the much-loved singer from Sanlúcar, based in Jerez, Maria Vargas.

On Sunday, I was able to accompany members and friends of the flamenco club Tío José de Paula on their visit to the historic Church of Santiago, located in the heart of the deeply flamenco neighborhood, right across from the peña's headquarters, for the besapiés (foot-kissing) of Nuestro Padre Jesús del Prendimiento. A lot of ecclesiastical vocabulary is interwoven with flamenco references, an essential part of the moving renditions of saetas sung by some of those present, such as Joaquín Zambo, president of the Peña Tío José de Paula, and the beloved cantaora from Sanlúcar, now based in Jerez, María Vargas.

With 60% of Spaniards and 87% of the Andalusian population identifying as practicing Catholics, saeta singers are plentiful, both professional and amateur, and their songs are considered part of the flamenco singing repertoire, even though their performance, like that of Christmas carols, is limited to a specific season. Yeah, okay, sure, all of that’s great, but I just wanted to learn a few dance moves for weddings and stuff, know what I mean?

"Whether it’s Juanito Valderrama with a guajira or Juan Talega with a toná liviana, with all due respect to both, once the essence is out of the jar, there’s no turning back"

No, flamenco is a deep lifelong commitment, you enter the convent of emotions knowing that you’re leaving behind the very essence and core of who you are, until death do you part. There may be flirtations with other musical expressions, because flamenco is music, even when it’s danced, no matter what some may claim. Whether it’s Juanito Valderrama with a guajira or Juan Talega with a toná liviana, with all due respect to both, once the essence is out of the jar, there’s no turning back.

After formalities, there was singing at the peña, featuring none other than Romerito de Jerez, just shy of his 93rd birthday, accompanied on guitar by his son Antonio “Romerito hijo.” They delighted everyone present with freshness and energy in soleá, alegrías fandangos and bulerías, with a fiesta closing that included Yoya, Curra and other regulars of the ladies’ group of the Tio José.

The pared-down message here is this: if you yearn to feel the emotion of flamenco, jump in fearlessly at the deep end of the pool with no life jacket, soak up the culture, drink it, live it, whether it’s bringing in the Prendi during Holy Week, mostachones (typical sweet) from Utrera or a plate of bean stew, it’s all food for the soul and defines flamenco, a way of life, a philosophy.