Flamenco at Casa Patas

My first experience of flamenco was at Casa Patas in Madrid. It was back in 2011 on my first trip to Spain and it's one of my favorite memories of that trip because it was one of my first glimpses into Spanish culture.

Casa Patas has been instrumental in the revitalization of 'pure' traditional flamenco (with recognition from UNESCO) and it is THE place where everyone wants to perform and its walls are filled, literally filled, with photos of past artists. Sometimes previous artists will be spotted in the crowd and invited up on stage, this always makes for an extra special evening!

But what is Flamenco?

Flamenco is a form of musical expression. It started when the Gypsies came to Andalusia from India in the 1400s. When they, along with the Jews, were heavily persecuted by the Christians and could not express their religion or way of life, they turned to flamenco as a way of easing their pain. When Flamenco became popular in clubs the Gypsies refused to perform, so the clubs booked non-Gypsies and inevitably the traditional form of Flamenco began to fade away. By the 1960s it had almost been lost.

Today, during a Casa Patas show you can experience many of the flamenco styles - some styles are sung solo with no supporting instruments or dancing, sometimes a guitar player will accompany a singer, and sometimes there are multiple singers, dancers, and a variety of musical instruments.

Next time you're in Madrid try to catch a show at Casa Patas. The passion for their art evident in their facial expressions, their voices, and the ever increasing showers of sweat which fly through the air.

You'll never forget the experience!

- Emily