La Cultural Week of Flamenco Activities in Paradas It is an event for the fans. It starts off April by showing off the stage of José Antonio Brenes, always on the ball. This year's is a beautiful allegory of red carnations and wicker chairs that welcomes like a mother's embrace the artists who tread the woodwork. The Regional, headquarters of this peña of the righteous, that of Miguel Vargas, full of good flamenco and better people.
This year is dedicated to the encyclopedic singer Diego Clavel, who on the night of April 4 was interviewed by his friend and colleague Manuel Curao with the mastery that comes from talent and experience. He was able to extract the essence of the Moor's career, portraying him as a die-hard aficionado of cante, a humble scholar who has left us an anthological work as well as personal creations, especially in the malagueña, although he delved into the fandangos of Huelva, the soleá and the seguiriya like no one else. He revealed in the conversation the honesty that very few flamencos possess at his height. He even tempered himself with an arrow, shaking the audience at almost 79 years of age. Only The endearing interview was well worth the trip and brought the stands to their feet in honor of the distinguished singer.
They have been successful in combining veteran and youthful talent in their programming these days. The Utrera dancer Lucia Benavides She is only seventeen years old and filled the Paraeño stage with beauty and elegance. Accompanying the guitar through the Lebrija Curro Vargas, on percussion by Fali from the Electric and cante by Joni Torres and the palatial one Juanelo He offered a measured recital that delighted the audience with the finesse of his performance. Everything was carefully thought out down to the smallest detail. And every little thing counts. A top-class wardrobe, a well-crafted repertoire and appropriate choreography They made their performance a complete, coherent, and beautiful show. I liked that she gave a little bit of dancing as an introduction, something that is no longer used. Joni gave her the cante due to his romance with Curro and Juanelo's staffs he remembered The Nougat Maker In the bulería. Lucía appeared in white and green, shining a touch of hope that heralded the rise of a dancer. Because I've been following her trail, and she's dancing better and better. She hasn't reached her peak yet. And I'm glad. Her work, taste, and dedication are evident.
"She's a sweet little girl who stands out in her generation for being delicate and very elegant, without sacrificing technique and dance mastery. Especially in the movements of her torso and hips, her stylish and distinguished arm movements, and her gestures always appropriate to what is being sung, played, and danced."
Curro Vargas captured the silence by playing with the beat in a solo por malagueñas that preluded the alegrías in which the Utrera native displayed herself with a smiling face, shining in the flamenco poses she painted with natural ease. He moved the ruffles of her gown and the fringes of her shawl. delicately, without sudden displays, drawing pictures of tremendous beauty. The perfect escobilla, free from ostentatious footwork and stridency, with the bata in her hands. She gracefully arrived at the bulería of Cádiz and didn't endorse any superfluous artifice. In the bulería por soleá, the warm bronze airs of Joni and Juanelo stood out, two singers of substance who have the makings to knock anyone off their feet. They then engaged in the taranto with tangos where Lucía transitioned from the serious and solemn to the swaying with age of her shoulders and waist. oozing femininity in abundance. As in joys, in which it smelled of foam of waves, salty and brave.
At the end of the party he made his friend come up Ricardo for the little kick. Joni was on the ball, Fali did the same, and even Juanelo, who doesn't usually get involved in these things, couldn't resist Lucía's call, the elegance of a little candy.
Lucía Benavides is already a fine dancer, despite her insulting youth and the fact that she still has a long way to go. Her poise and semblance play into her favor. She is a sweet little girl who stands out in her generation for being delicate and very elegant, without sacrificing technique and dance mastery. Especially in her torso and hip movements, her stylish and distinguished arm movements, and her gestures always appropriate to what is being sung, played, and danced.
He said goodbye by introducing the cast, thanking the peña the opportunity and brought the person responsible for the scenery up on stage to applaud the genius of his work. Lucía shone in Paradas.
Credits
35th Cultural Week of Flamenco Activities in Paradas, Seville
The flamencoThey talk about themselves. Interview by Manuel Curao with Diego Clavel
Dance recital by Lucía Benavides
April 4th 2025
Dance: Lucía Benavides
Cante: Joni Torres and Juanelo
Guitar: Curro Vargas
Percussion: Fali del Eléctrico
Interviewer: Manuel Curao
Interviewee: Diego Clavel
Presenter: Lorena Portillo
