The ancient city of Sevilla is one of the cradles of Flamenco. It is is the home of numerous Flamenco clubs (peñas flamencas), nightclubs (tablaos), dance schools, record labels, booking agencies, and performers.
There is a fantastic Flamenco biennale (Bienal de Flamenco) and even a government agency dedicated to the promotion of Flamenco. But there is more than Flamenco in the area. The Andalusian capital has produced numerous bands that create hybrid sounds, combining Flamenco with pop, rock, Gypsy rumba, blues, hip hop, world music, jazz, and Medieval Arab-Andalusian music.
To find out what's happening in Sevilla, pick up a copy of a local newspaper or the Guia del Ocio, which is widely available at newstands. You can also check online at these two sites: El Giraldillo and Andalunet.
The following venues present world music, Flamenco and other forms of roots music:
It's important to know the difference between the various types of venues that offer Flamenco entertainment. Flamenco bars and cafes provide traditional and modern Flamenco concerts by singers and guitarists. For a taste of traditional Flamenco, peñas are one of the best choices. Peñas flamencas are clubs created by fans and cultural associations, where outstanding professional and aficionado musicians can be found. Many peñas have a small stage and bar with tapas and home cooked meals. Tablaos are Flamenco nightclubs, many of which cater to tourists, where dance is usually the highlight.
Compás Sur is an independent store that specializes in Flamenco and other southern Spanish styles. Calle Cuesta del Rosario 7-F, 41003 Sevilla. Phone: +34 95 421 5662. E-mail: compasur@compas-sur.com.
Other indie stores are Discos Burial, Calle Alfalfar 7-11 interior, 41007 Sevilla; and Sevilla Rock, Calle Sierpes 81, 41004 Sevilla.
A well-known Spanish department store chain has a record store with a decent selection of Flamenco and world music: El Corte Inglés, Plaza Duque de la Victoria, 41003 Sevilla.
Most of the record labels in Sevilla specialize in Flamenco, rumbas and Sevillanas (a popular song and dance style that is danced at city fairs, pilgrimages and other events).
There are many other small independent labels such as Alfaisan Records, Bolillon Records, Producciones Gramic, Triana Records S.L.
Some of the world's best hand crafted guitars can be found in Sevilla. Most guitar luthiers specialize in classical and Flamenco guitars. There are also a number of castanet manufacturers and shops.
Canal Fiesta Radio, part of Canal Sur, RTVA de Andalucía, has a world music show called Corazón de Melón, which plays from son to Latin jazz. The show is on the air Saturdays and Sundays from 3 to 5 pm. Address: Pedro Rodr?gez Espejo, Dpto. de Programas, Edificio Canal Sur, Avda. Jose de Gálvez n? 1, Isla de la Cartuja, 41092 Sevilla. E-mail: prodrigueze@rtva.es. Phone: +34 955055923.
The Fundación Cristina Heeren de Arte Flamenco supports young Flamenco performers, providing grants and scholarships. It also has a school for Flamenco music and dance.
Fundación El Monte provides support to social and cultural activities, including flamenco and chamber music performances.
Fundación Machado is an important ethnographic research center dedicated to the study of Andalusian traditions, including Flamenco. It has a series of Flamenco conferences and publishes books about Flamenco, Andalusian dances and other traditions.
Fundación Tres Culturas del Mediterráneo promotes the three main cultures of the Mediterranean. Some of its activities include world music concerts.
There are quite a few stores that cater to Flamenco dance aficionados. Accessories include shoes, boots (for men), dresses, skirts, castanets and other items.
El Azulejo has Andalusian ceramics, tiles and crafts. Two locations: Calle Mateos Gago 10. Phone: 95 422 0085 & Calle Joaquín Romero Murube 1A. Phone: 95 421 8088.
Sevilla has a long and rich history. The Romans founded a colony there called Italica. Its ruins are a popular tourist attraction.
The biggest influence on the city, however, is the legacy of the Muslim period. For several centuries the city was under Muslim rule, until 1248.
The Reales Alcazares, at Plaza del Triunfo, is a beautiful complex of palaces, gardens and patios left by the Arab rulers and expanded by the Christian kings. The Jardines del Alcázar gardens feature Arabic, Ranaissance and modern elements.
Other monuments from the Muslim period include: La Giralda, at Plaza Virgen de los Reyes, a legendary tower built by the Almohads; La Torre del Oro (the Gold Tower), at Paseo de las Delicias, (known as Borg-al-Azajal by the Arabs) was built by an Almohad governor as a guard tower; and the Triana barrio will give you an idea of what a medieval Moorish Sevilla neighborhood looked like.
The Parque de María Luisa, at Plaza de España, is a delightful urban park donated in 1893 by Royal Princess María Luisa Fernanda de Borbón y Borbón, Duchess of Montpensier. It was designed by French engineer Jean-Claude Forestier, who added Andalusian and French elements to the park. The Museo de Artes y Costumbres populares (Museum of Popular Arts and Costumes) is located by the park at Plaza de América. Phone: +34 95 423 2576.
For many years, Muslims, Christians and Jews lived together in Sevilla. The Jewish quarters are known as juderías. Walking through calle Céspedes, you will be in the heart of the Barrio de San Bartolomé, which, together with the Santa Cruz barrio, formed the old Jewish Quarter of Sevilla. The Iglesia de San Bartolomé church, used to be a synagogue until the 14th century.
Museo de Bellas Artes is one of Spain's most important art galleries after Madrid's Museo del Prado. Its 14 halls houses works from the Gothic period until the 20th Century. Plaza del Museo 9. Phone: +34 95 4220790. Fax: 954413862.
Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo (Contemporary Andalusian Art Center). Avenida Americo Vespucio 2. Phone: +34 95 5037070.
After the Muslim period, Sevilla became the gateway to the Americas. Many ships returned to the port of Sevilla from the American colonies. The Archivo de Indias (Archive of the Indies), located at Avda. de la Constitución s/n, is one of the world's greatest archives. It includes Christopher Columbus' diary, as well as thousands of documents related with the Spanish presence in the Americas.
Museo de Carruajes is the coach museum. Convento de los Remedios. Plaza de Cuba 5. Phone: +34 95 4272604.
As other major European cities, Sevilla also has impressive Christian houses of worship. The Cathedral is located at Plaza Virgen de los Reyes, right next to La Giralda. There is also the Basilica de la Macarena, at Calle Resolana s/n, which is dedicated to the patron saint of the city and houses one of the city's oldest Holy Week religious brotherhoods.
Casa de Pilatos (Pilate's House), located at Plaza de Pilatos is a magnificent 16th century Seville-style palace built by the Marquee of Tarifa.
If you like theme parks, go to Isla Mágica, www.islamagica.es at Cartuja Island, where the 1992 World Expo took place. It is dedicated to Spanish exploration and the Americas, including areas dedicated to the Maya culture, the Amazon, etc.
There are many other monuments, museums and cool places to visit. For more information about Sevilla, check out the city's tourist information site, which has a section in English: http://www.turismo.Sevilla.org
Alonso Montoya (Lunadisco), Ricardo de Castro (Contradanza) and Angel Romero.
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