Flamencas, “Women in Flamenco Art” at the Ateneo de Madrid

The presence and influence of women in flamenco will focus the activities that Suma Flamenca has programmed at the Ateneo de Madrid under the generic title of Flamencas. This Madrid venue will host a a photographic exhibition and three conference and performance sessions dedicated to famous female figures in the history of jondo art (deep flamenco art), such as La Niña de los Peines, Carmen Amaya and La Argentinita. The events will take place during October 2023.

The photographic exhibition, which will open on October 4 with the same title as the Flamencas program, includes images by photographer Paco Manzano and can be visited until November 3.

That same day, the round table Women in flamenco art will be held at the Ateneo, moderated by journalist and writer Pedro Calvo, that will include José Luis Ortiz Nuevo, La Tremendita, Patricia Guerrero and Antonia Jiménez as panel members. Next, Gema Caballero from Granada will sing accompanied by the guitarist from Cáceres, Javier Conde.

The Ponencias & Cante, Toque y Baile series will take place from October 5 to 7. José Luis Ortiz Nuevo will give the first conference, dedicated to Pastora Pavón, beter known as La Niña de los Peines, one of the most significant figures in the history of flamenco. After the talk, Salomé Pavón will sing, accompanied by Juan Vargas from Madrid on guitar. Salomé Pavón Ortega is the great-niece of La Niña de los Peines and the granddaughter of Manuel Ortega Juárez, “Manolo Caracol”.

In the second session, Faustino Núñez will make a dissertation about Women and the flamenco guitar, in which he dismantles the widespread, and false idea, that women and the flamenco guitar are incompatible; when, historically, women have played this instrument with passion and mastery. Proof of this is the live presence of the guitarist Antonia Jiménez with percussionist Kike Terrón, who will perform a concert at the end of the speech.

José Manuel Gamboa will close the series with From “La Argentina” to “Carmen Amaya.” Next, dancer Estela Alonso will perform accompanied by singer Roberto Lorente, guitarist Víctor Márquez “El Tomate”, violinist Víctor Guadiana and the compás (rhythm) of Cristian García.

(headline image:Antonia Jiménez – Photo by Rafa Manjavacas)