Café Flamenco

is a periodic cultural event held at Flamenco!...the Studio which is usually tied to a festival in Spain. The goal of the Cafés is to introduce people to many of the different Spanish festivals and to offer an opportunity for people to see, up close, authentic Flamenco dancing - not a stage show, not a performance, but real people (of all ages and abilities) dancing spontaneous Flamenco.

The atmosphere is casual and festive, like an intimate Spanish tablao where the audience is not really an audience, but an extension of a Flamenco family for the evening.

Light Spanish-style refreshments are offered throughout the evening.

The themes for Café Flamenco vary - there is Carnaval, Feria de Abril, La Tomatina and others. Many of the Cafes have contests with prizes awarded. There is always great fun and all ages are welcome.

La Tomatina (August 16, 2008)

The name Tomatina comes from a festival to celebrate the tomato harvest in Buñol, Spain. On the last Wednesday of August, at the peak of tomato season, the village of Bu&nitlde;ol, Spain stages a tomato war. For two hours, the otherwise sober citizenry happily pelt each other with ripe, red fruit and the streets turn into rivers of tomato juice. After much laughter, spirited mischief and camaraderie, friends and neighbors gather in the town square for the food and wine festivities. They call it 'La Tomatina'.

Instead of throwing tomatoes at each other, we throw tomatoes into a blender & create the best Gazpacho the Valley has ever tasted. Enter your Gazpacho, have it judged by celebrity judges and win the title of Tomate Grande (and a $50 cash prize!)

Afterwards enjoy a fun-filled evening of Flamenco dance, guitar and light tapas (and more gazpacho!) - Experience Flamenco at its most enjoyable with artists from Un Corazón Flamenco and students and aficionados of Flamenco! ... the Studio.

Tickets:

$7.00 Adults ~ $3.50 children 12 & under

Reservations Required
E-mail for cook-off entry instructions
View Calendar - View Event Information - View Entry Instructions

Carnaval (Usually held in February)

"Carnaval" is a fiesta of the people celebrated in Andalucía, usually in February. As one of Spain's major ports during the 16th century, Cádiz copied the carnival of Venice, a city with which it had much trade, and since then it has become the liveliest and most dazzling carnival town in Spain.

During the Spanish Civil War, General Franco abolished the Carnival in rebel areas. After the war there was still much opposition to the Carnival by the rulers so Franco abolished the Carnival in 1937. However, it continued underground in Cádiz.

Most Andalucían towns stage some kind of parade, and there is usually a dance and various contests, most based on poking fun at local bigwigs and current issues. There is also a Queen of Carnaval contest.

Informal groups of family or friends called ilegales perform whatever and whenever instead of participating formally in contests.

Enter any of these fun contests!

Queen of Carnaval: wear your finest Flamenco attire (mask optional!) and join in a parade of costumes!
Princess of Carnaval: for the children: wear your finest Flamenco attire (mask optional!) and join in a parade of costumes!
Ilegales: perform whatever Flamenco you like (any instrument, song, dance, poetry, etc.) -- either alone or with someone!
Fun prizes will be awarded!!!
Afterwards enjoy a fun-filled evening of Flamenco dance, guitar and light tapas.
Experience Flamenco at its most enjoyable with artists from Un Corazón Flamenco and students and aficionados of Flamenco! ...the Studio.

Tickets:

$7.00 Adults ~ $3.50 children 12 & under

Reservations Required

View Calendar

Feria de Abril (usually held in April)

This is the most celebrated week of revelry in all of Spain dating back to 1254 when King Alfonso X gave permission for Sevilla to hold an annual fair in April. Over the years, the celebrations ended, but in 1846, Sevilla's April fair was restored.

Originally a cattle market which was then on the outskirts of the city, merchants erected the first 19 casetas (circus-like tents related to the cattle trade) to house their businesses. In 1849, the city hall installed its first tent within the city to keep order but shortly after it became a symbol of the festival. The next yea small merchants set up their own casetas selling their wares.

Eventually, the Sevillian imagination transformed the casetas, by adding personal touches. In the 1920s, it started to appear as it does today: an artificial city whose blocks are made of tents. It was such a success, that in 1950 the cattle market was separated from the festivities.

For the Feria, Flamenco! ...the Studio transforms itself into casetas - open to all! Dance Sevillanas to your heart's content!

We appoint an honorary Alcalde de Feria, award a prize for the Vendedor Grande (the person who brings the most guests to Café Flamenco!) & host a Sevillanas dance contest!

Enjoy a fun-filled evening of Flamenco dance, guitar and light tapas and Sevillanas contests!!

Experience Flamenco at its most enjoyable with artists from Un Corazón Flamenco and students and aficionados of Flamenco! ...the Studio.

Tickets:

$7.00 Adults ~ $3.50 children 12 & under

Reservations Required

View Calendar