“In Spain, they already know flamenco, so you can do whatever you
want,” she says, recalling a performance
in which flamenco superstar Joachín
Cortés was costumed in a ladies’ skirt.
“In America, you have to be a bit more
traditional.”
As is the case with any art form
enjoying a long history, the push-pull
between traditionalists and innovators
is one of the central topics of discussion
in flamenco today.
“Changes are good, and to advance in
whatever you are doing you must keep
changing,” Lopez says. “But, because this
is an art form, you have to always keep in
mind what you are doing, with respect
and dignity.”
The young star Molina sees it differently. “Flamenco is like life,” she says.
“It has to go on.”
With everything from small local
groups to international touring companies continuing to captivate us, there’s
little doubt that it will.
Flamenco Olé!
Boston
Flamenco Boston
(performances and classes)
617-875-3326; flamencoboston.com
New York City
New York Flamenco Festival
Feb. 11—20
212-545-7536; worldmusicinstitute.org
Flamenco Latino
(performances and classes)
244 W. 54th St.
212-399-8519; flamencolatino.com
Philadelphia
Flamenco Olé!
(performances and classes)
1720 Mt. Vernon St.
215-232-5713; flamencoole.org
Washington, D.C./Baltimore
Flamenco Festival, Washington, D.C.
Feb. 12—28
202-994-6800; lisner.org
More: DCflamenco.com
