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Catch the fiery
footwork of
‘Flamenco!’
Rhythmic movements and
By Nancy Arcayna
colorful costumes entrance
Special to the Star-BulletinFLAMENCO is a way of life in Spain just as hula is in Hawaii. The foot-stomping action and colorful costumes are what people notice right away. The emotions and expressions of culture and roots take longer to understand, and to master.
Vanessa Chong, a local flamenco dancer who has been teaching classes in Honolulu for the past 10 years, describes the dance as dramatic and strong, yet graceful.
"It is very rhythmic and that is what I love about it. It incorporates everything from the top of your head to the soles of your feet. The head movements and eyes make it an elegant dance. I first saw the dance in Seville and it was amazing. That is when I decided to find a teacher and learn the dance myself," she says.
Others will have the opportunity to fall in love with the dance when "Flamenco!" is staged tomorrow at Hawaii Theatre. Featured in the performance will be Mónica Bermudez of Arte y Compás, a San Francisco flamenco group.
Bermudez appeared in two sold out concerts at the Honolulu Academy of Arts Theatre last August. She will be accompanied by a flamenco music ensemble and local dancers Chong and La Greca. Chong says of the opportunity, "I feel truly blessed."
Like many other dances, flamenco requires dedication and practice. "The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know," says Chong, who claims that perseverance is the most important quality needed when learning flamenco. She said many people stop attending classes when they become overwhelmed by the footwork and combined movements.
"Putting it all together is the most challenging part. The foot movements and graceful upper body movements combined are what make it challenging. The fingers and hands are very expressive. I always try to keep them moving."
Flamenco evolved as the merging of cultures of persecuted peoples that traveled through Spain. The roots of flamenco began with the Jews and Moors, and was later brought to life by the gypsies of India. The music and dance allowed suppressed individuals to express themselves as they were ousted from their own homelands, explained Chong.
Tragic lyrics and tones in some songs coupled with fiery footwork reflects a release of pent-up emotions. "It is very musical ... you need to relate to the singing," Bermudez says.
As for costumes, women wear long loose fitting skirts and firm shoes with Cuban heels. Ruffles were the fashion of the past but are not often seen nowadays. Many modern costumes are adorned with polka dots.
"They say the gypsies like polka dots because it reminds them of the moon. The gypsies love the moon and sing a lot about it," said Bermudez.
The dance itself is similar to tap and ballet but incorporates percussive footwork. Chong got more attention than she wanted when she decided to practice her footwork in her apartment. The powerful movements led some neighbors to rush to the scene to see what all the commotion was about.
A wooden surface is needed to practice the dance effectively because dancers wear special boots or shoes with dozens of nails driven into the soles and heels. The nails are inserted into the shoes to produce a sound similar to tap.
"The rhythms are uncommon and more complicated for Westerners (to learn), said Bermudez. "Handclapping is used to keep time and rhythm for the dancer, but it also takes lots of practice.
"It is important to feel a connection with the audience and the musicians and other dancers on stage. "It always feels different.
"To be there in the moment and to be expressive is what's really important. It involves a total commitment to studying the music, the song and the dance and understanding how they blend together. It involves frequent trips to Spain where some concerts don't begin until midnight.
"My parents introduced me to Flamenco at a very young age. I haven't stopped dancing since, so flamenco has definitely became a way of life for me."
On stage
What: Flamenco!
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