Hello Group!!

MadridMan is going to be in Madrid from the end of September until mid October and would like to visit (for my FIRST time!) a flamenco show.

Can you believe I've never been in my 3 trips there? Yes, I know most are very touristy and that's really OK for me because I'm not too picky.

If anyone has been to a flamenco show in Madrid, where was it located, what was it called, and how did you enjoy it?

Thanks! Saludos, MadridMan

Flamenco shows are O.K. but what about learning it!?

I have never been to this academy but I know classes for beginners are from 8 to 9 pm on tuesdays and thursdays. I know it because
I want to start learning after the summer.
http://www.jmorao.com/

Andres.

In reply to your question about Flamenco shows. We have just returned from a week in Madrid and had an absolutely fantastic time (thanks for all your info on your web site). I could go on for many days and nights about the wonderful things we found to see and do and eat in Madrid and surrounging areas etc.

Back to the Flamenco. We went to La Solea twice last week. It is on Cava Baha. It is a dark bar, and usually has a couple of men standing outside (not sure if they were looking for customers or checking that you knew what you were going in for).

There was no entrance charge, but drinks are more expensive (400 pts cerveza).

Once inside, you sit in the bar and wait. Hopefully something will happen. It happened both nights for us, but not until 1 am the second night, but it was worth waiting. There seems to be a regular house guitarist who is joined by anyone who has the inclination. Whilst we were there we heard some singers and guitarists joining in along with everyone else clapping etc. Very atmospheric.

Obviously it's a bit hit or miss as to whether you see anyone perform, and also how good the performers are, but that's half the excitment, awaiting the unexpected and sometimes but not always getting it!

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Hi Jo-Anne! What FANTASTIC information you've given here! THESE are JUST the kinds of places I'd love to visit to see flamenco. Thanks! I'll certainly find it and HOPE they happen to feel inspired by the moment and break into dance and song.

Saludos, MadridMan

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Love music/books/videos/movies from & about Spain? Visit MadridMan's ALL Spain Market @ http://www.MadridMan.com/allspainmarket.html

Madridman
Did you make it to the Broadway Cafe? Also have you ever heard anything about Port Aventura the theme park in Taragona? thanks ken in abq.

Sunday morning, Jan 27th we went to Retiro Park to see if the 'entertainment' would be there (during the 'off season'). We were delighted to find a cantaor de flamenco with his guitar accompanist just 'belting out' flamenco music & song. They were very good. We sat and enjoyed their performance for 15-20 minutes, dropped a coin in the 'hat' and continued our Sunday AM 'stroll.'
Yes, there is impromptu entertainment in the park every Sunday morning. You can't beat the price!
P.D.
If you are looking for a Tablao Flamenco, look in the entertainment section of one of the Madrid newspapers: They usually don't start until around midnight and continue until very late (or is it early?). Don't be fooled by the ones that say they begin at 22:30 - they just want to get you inside and buying (expensive) drinks.

[This message has been edited by Eddie (edited 06-07-2000).]

Ah Madridman,

If you will be heading south from Madrid at all, you should pass through Granada. Maybe see a Tablao in Madrid first and then go see Las Cuevas de Granada where you can spend an evening with Los Gitanos and see the real thing. While you're there, the Alhambra is not so bad either .

Kate, I have heard and read MUCH about flamenco en las cuevas de granada, but haven't yet visited this gem in Andalucía. Someday. Unfortunately it will have to wait as this October's trip will be ONLY Madrid during my two weeks in Spain -- TOTALLY MadridMan.com related.

Eddie, great tip on the start times of flamenco in Madrid as well as the Sunday Parque del Retiro information. I knew this about the park already, but it's good for others to know. JOIN THE REST OF MADRID AND TAKE A SUNDAY MORNING STROLL THROUGH THE RETIRO!!!!! As many times I've been in the park I have never seen flamenco singers/guitar, only puppet shows, mimes, jugglers, and the usual compliment of flower-offering & palm-reading gypsies.

Saludos, MadridMan
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Love books/music/videos/movies from & about Spain? Visit MadridMan's ALL Spain Market @ http://www.MadridMan.com/allspainmarket.html

LOS GALLOS in Sevilla is good flamenco. It is in the Barrio de Santa Cruz, close to the Murillo gardens. The dancers are young and very passionate! I've been there twice. Once I met a woman from my (small upstate NY) hometown who was seated behind me!

The recent price (February 2000) was 3500 pesetas, which included a drink.

If you don't have luck at La Solea (great by the way) try a show at Casa Patas- one of the best I've seen in Madrid- but reserve in advance!

hey there madridman. for all fo your amazing advice to me i shall try and help you here. i went to two flamenco shows when i was there last year. casa patas and corral moreria. both were great. sure, they were a slight touristy but well worth it.
loved the performance at casa patas. this seemed to be a bit more "pure." it seemed that there were flamenco performaers in the audience. casa patas was near the tirso de molina metro station. i remember it being near catedral de san isidro.
corral moreria was great just due to its location. down in the moreria, it had some great atmosphere.
the best flamenco i saw when i was in spain last year was at los gallos in the barrio santa cruz in sevilla

Flamenco in Madrid used to be something for tourists mainly (this has changed lately as Flamenco has become more and more popular and fashionable between Madrlenos, specially young ones).

But in any case there has always been followers in Madrid, that had their places to go.

In Madrid, for Flamenco, you have 2 circuits, the touristic one (most of the public are tourists), and the local one, with much lower prices and higher quality.

I do not remember exactly the prices, but a tourist place like Torres Bermejas, Corral de la Moreria, etc, used to charge around 4000 pts only to attend the show and have 1 drink, if you wanted to have dinner, the price was the double or more.

For Flamenco, the place I was recomended is Casa Patas, in the Calle Canizares (I do not remember the number, but its only 1 block away from Atocha Street). A 5 minutes walk from the Anton Martin subway.

Most of the people going there are locals (with an increasing number of knowledable foreign visitors). The prices used to be 2000 pts per person I think, including a drink. You can have dinner also in the bar if you want, the tapas used to be priced very reasonably.

Altough I have been never beeing into Flamenco, I went a couple of times to Casa Patas, the place is completely authentic, and the Flamenco show impressive. Worth a visit.

Scott, put it in your to do list!

Hope it helps!

Florencio

I have made a little search and found the following link for Casa Patas:
http://www.visualware.es/guiamad/anct/patas.htm

UPDATE BY MadridMan: See Casa Patas NEW Website @ http://www.CasaPatas.com

[ 09-29-2001: Message edited by: MadridMan ]

I completely agree with Florencio. I guess some of you already know Casa Patas as it is reviewed at Let's Go guide.

Saludos,

Antonio

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The best tips from your favourite hostal in Madrid.
Hostal Chelo at http://www.chelo.com

hello madrid lover, just returned from spain yesterday.....in reference to your flamenco dance, that is one of the few things that i really enjoyed while i was there. went to the one at the el patio sevillano and sevelle...we had a great time there..one piece of advise though take all the still shots you want, but don't try to use a video camera!!!!!! i got mucho yelled at for it. hehe hope you make it to see one while you are there. have fun

I am SO excited to be FINALLY going to a flamenco show in Madrid while there. I'll take your suggestions with me and will tell you how it wasn upon returning (or sooner!!) Thanks!

Saludos, MadridMan

Since you are going to be in Madrid until mid-October, I recommend that you wait until after the 7th before taking in a tablao flamenco in Madrid. The reason: A biennial (every 2-years) flamenco festival in Sevilla ends October 7 and many of the best Cantaores, Bailaoras and guitarristas will be down south from now until then.

WOW!! Your expertise is greatly appreciated, Eddie. Or maybe they'll all need a vacation after the festival in Sevilla and return to Madrid AFTER I leave!! ARGH!!! Hope not. Thanks Eddie!

Saludos, MadridMan

'Expertise?' No! It's just that we just got back from there.
There will be some performances at the Stadium and at the Maestranza during this Festival.

We have day-tripped to Sevilla from Madrid (viernes de Semana Santa); and I have vision of an overnighter (no sleep involved, except on the AVE on the way back): take the 19:30 AVE to Sevilla - proceed directly From Santa Justa station to dinner and an early 'Tablao Flamenco.' After that, maybe go to another Flamenco night spot and see another set of Flamenco artists. Then back to Santa Justa for the 07:00 AVE to Madrid. One of these days.....

[This message has been edited by Eddie (edited 09-23-2000).]

la cava baja, as mentioned way above, I can confirm is for locals and is very good but can be tricky to find.

do have a great time searching out flamenco shows in madrid. make sure you seek more than the set shows though. they tend to be geared toward the unabashed tourist. you want to try and find the spontaneity of flamenco in some small bar. honestly i'm not certain if this is possible in madrid. down in the triana of sevilla, there's an endless amount of places.

Just back from a trip to Spain, including Madrid. Many thanks to the suggestion on Casa Patas. Saw a wonderful show that didn't feel at all touristy. One of the youngest cantores I've ever seen and very engaging. Guess the ones usually booked for US tours are older and more established. Very much wished we'd been there longer to see more. Also--it might not be as authentic/atmospheric feeling, but Patas does 2 shows on Fri/Sat nights with an earlier one at around 9 pm that is easier to get into than the midnight show.
This place was well worth making an effort if you are at all into flamenco!
I can hardly wait for another trip and a chance to go further south.

Hi all,

Well, we went to Casa Patas in Madrid for our first taste of Flamenco. We had reservations (don't count on getting in without them) for the midnight show which actually started at 12:30.

I have to say, having not been to a Flamenco show before, I'm not sure it was what would be considered touristy. What I do know is that the place was completely jam packed with tourists, as well as local followers.

I enjoyed the show. But I must admit, being in close quarters where 99% of the people smoke is tough. Our eyes burned pretty bad and we found ourselves yawning from a lack of oxygen. I know that sounds a bit dramatic, but it's true and I was suprised myself. My husband missed most of the show because he had to keep his eyes closed.

At any rate, Casa Patas makes THE best Sangria (sorry, I know that to some people Sangria is kind of low class, but I was dying of genuine thirst, and Sangria is soooo perfectly refreshing!). And, although we didn't get to eat there (we ate at the totally disgusting restaurant right next door - DON'T EVER go there!) the food in Casa Patas looked divine! But make reservations the day before, or forget it. cpatas@teleline.es http://www.visualware.es/guiamad/anct/patas.htm
Phone: 91-369-04-96 - 91-429-72-89

If you have time, I suggest trying more Flamenco than just one night or place. I know that when we go back to Spain, that's my plan. I'm sure we didn't get a really good taste of this beautiful dance and music.

Deb

I know MM is back, but I wanted to ask what anyone who's been thought of Las Torres Bermejas flamenco bar?

We went way back in '92, and all I remember was we had a great view and, damn that dancer was skinny! She made Calista Flockhart look like Oprah! sorry...

that's pretty skinny...

Torres Bermejas is quite near to my hostel. Two of my customers from Israel asked me to call the tablao to find oud how much it was. I don't remember the price but it was much more expensive than Casa Patas.

In my opinion, tablaos in Madrid are intended for tourists and that's why they are so expensive.

You may want to try a new one:

Las Carboneras
Plaza del Conde de Miranda, 1
Tel: 91 542 86 77

I guess they have special opening offers.

Regards,

Antonio


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The best tips from your favourite hostal in Madrid.
Hostal Chelo at http://www.chelo.com

by the way madridman, did you ever have the opportunity to see any flamenco on this last trip? i remember at one point you were planning to.

Sadly, even though I started this thread I never did get a clear moment to see any flamenco while in Madrid. This is something I regret. Many nights I had other plans and some nights I only wanted to stay home with Mama Rosa and keep her company. The ONLY opportunity was AFTER the "Party With MadridMan: Version 2.0" when one of the guests, "El Duende", was going to perform somewhere, but a group of us at "The Party" decided to go bar hopping in Huertas instead. Oh well. There's always next year.

If anyone else has experiences of past flamenco shows in Madrid & Spain we'd love to hear about them!

Saludos, MadridMan

Antonio-

Thanks for the info. I guess Madrid isn't that big after all!

All I remember about Torres Bermejas was that it was full, the dancing and music were great, and it was part of our semester tuition, so I didn't pay any pesetas.