Flamenco enthusiasts can look forward to three events in Cádiz during the month of August, featured in the Flamencad 2023 program. The series will take place three Thursday evenings, starting at 10 p.m., at the Baluarte de la Candelaria in the city of Cádiz in southern Spain.
The concert cycle began with a preview on July 20, featuring the show ‘Contrastes,’ which brought together Capullo de Jerez and El Turry. Moving forward, the Flamencad agenda for August 2023 was presented at the Diputación (Cadiz Provincial Council), one of the sponsoring entities of this cultural initiative, with the presence of the deputy for Culture, Vanesa Beltrán; the promoter of these events, Antonio Montoya; and some scheduled artists.
Vanesa Beltrán has secured the sponsorship of the Provincial Council to support flamenco as one of the hallmarks of the cultural identity of the province of Cádiz. Referring to Flamencad, she considers it a “must-see” thanks to its artistic proposal, which combines established artists with emerging talents and highlights songs loved in Cádiz and the Bay of Cádiz.
Antonio Montoya described Flamencad as an evolution of the “legendary Flamenco Thursdays.” This year’s version has been rejuvenated with renowned names such as José Anillo and Manuel Gago, along with “a whole legion of artists from Cádiz.” It also includes Farruquito, who is acclaimed as a top dancer, and the present and future of cante (flamenco song) embodied in Aurora Vargas or La Fabi.
Each show has its distinctive name. The one on August 3 is called ‘Flamencos de sal’ and will feature the cante of José Anillo and Manuel Gago. Óscar Lago and Juan Antonio Gómez will be on guitar; Juan José Jaén ‘el Junco’ and Juan Antonio Ogalla will dance; while Roberto Jaén and Jorge Bautista will provide palmas (clapping). Emilio Florido, María José Fernández, and Reyes Martín will sing during the performances. Guest artists such as Felipe Scapachini, Pepín Muñoz, Paqui Sánchez, and Joselito el Niño will also join the festivities.
On August 10, Farruquito will grace the stage of the Baluarte de la Candelaria with his show ‘Intimate’. Manuel Valencia will play the guitar, and Paco Vega will handle percussion. The cante (song) will be accompanied by Mari Vizárraga, Ezequiel Montoya ‘Chanito,‘ and Ismael de la Rosa ‘El Bola.‘
The show ‘Auténticas’ will mark the grand finale of the current edition of Flamencad. The highlights of this closing performance include the cantes of Aurora Vargas, accompanied by Miguel Salado on guitar and clapping by Diego Montoya and Manuel Salado, as well as La Fabi, who will be supported by Curro Carrasco on guitar and clapping by Zambullo and Juan Grande.
The program also dedicates a prominent place to academic projects that explore this rich heritage of humanity. On Thursday, August 3, at 8:00 p.m. at the Space for Contemporary Creation (ECCO) in Cádiz, Cristina Cruces, a professor of Social Anthropology at the University of Seville, will deliver the lecture ‘Lola Flores, bailaora. The claim of a flamenco woman’. On Thursday, August 10, at 8:00 p.m., also at the ECCO, musician and composer José Miguel Évora will speak on ‘Biology of Flamenco’.
Gala Évora will be the host for each of the evenings scheduled at the Baluarte de la Candelaria. In addition to the Diputación, Flamencad receives support from the Cádiz City Council, the University of Cádiz, and the Andalusian Institute of Flamenco.
Tickets for these performances can be purchased at www.cadizentradas.com.
Author: World Music Central News Room
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