Dancing Shoes

As a little girl I remember going to dance class each week. I went through the common phases of obsession with each of the many genres that are typically taught to us young American girls; first it was ballet, then jazz, and after the novelty of the dainty pink slippers and the lace up, jazz shoes wore off, it was, of course, time to take up tap dancing. Later, not only because I looked the part with curly red locks and a face full of freckles, I dabbled in the art of Irish step for a year or two, where I accumulated a few more pairs of slippers to add to my collection. But the time eventually came to hang up my various, and rather costly, pairs of dancing shoes. I left behind those days of practicing routines and anticipating the costume theme for my next dance recital. And even though my own dancing never progressed to a particularly advanced level, I have remained a fan of the many different styles of dance; always jumping at any opportunity to see shows like Stomp, the ballet, the Riverdance, or various Broadway shows.

Here in Spain, my admiration for personal expression through dance continues; I love how it can evoke emotion and even tell stories; and I think that is important since we often underestimate how powerful non verbal communication can be. In Spain the most widely recognized dance is flamenco. ( Not to be mistaken with what so many tourists like to call "flamingo," this dance has absolutely no connection with tall pink birds.) I have had the opportunity to see flamenco on multiple occasions in different parts of the country, and if I were to describe the art in one word it would be, INTENSE! The dancers exude passion, seduction, and sense of struggle. It is certainly not the most light hearted dance, and unlike the girls in my tap recitals, the dancers do not hold a cheesy grin on their faces. Instead, they hold intensity in their eyes and reach out to the audience with each glance. They tell stories using their strong bodies and erotic hands; their stomping feet are bold and their demeanor is stern. The costumes are often traditional with polka dots and vibrant reds but they are unique to each dancer, helping to define every vivid movement put forth on stage.

For anyone used to smiley performances with happy endings and feel good lyrics, flamenco may be an acquired taste, for this dance displays none of the above. However it will not fail to draw you in with its unique flavor that is tragic yet beautiful. Flamenco dancers display raw emotion which can make onlookers feel anything from uneasy to inspired; but either way a good session of flamenco is sure to be a moving, entertaining, and enlightening experience, and it is the perfect event for a low key night out in Espana that will make you want to strap on your old dancing shoes!