Smoke Eyed at La Carbonería
I’ve finally posted some videos that I took at a flamenco bar called La Carbonería, in Sevilla, over six months ago. This event took place after all the official performances had finished: a guy walked into the bar carrying a guitar; I’m guessing he was a gypsy, even though he lacked the stereotypical long hair. The musicians left over from earlier performances all joined him in a smaller alcove, and the resulting late-night session is what I managed to catch on my camera. What is undocumented is that after many of the other musicians left, he (the dark complexioned guy on the right with the brown jacket and short hair) looked at me and insistently demanded me to sing a song. I replied that I didn’t know flamenco, that I was a foreigner, but he didn’t buy it. Eventually I relented, asked him for his guitar and proceeded to sing and play a song. It wasn’t flamenco by any stretch (it was an East Indian tune called Ghoom Charakhana), but my delivery made him eat his foot. I wasn’t sure what he was after in challenging an amateur (at flamenco) to perform, but I hope he learned the error of his ways. In the end I didn’t return to the establishment for some time, hoping to avoid a similar scenario. Subsequent to this event was when I started my official flamenco lessons.
Cajóneros
Carlos (Chile) and Oriol (Barcelona, Spain) playing cajón on the streets of Sevilla.
Flamenco Dancing
Bernardo of Anarko Flamenco dancing bulerias, while Oriol and Carlos accompany him on the cajón.The crowded streets are a result of Semana Santa (the week preceding Easter).
Scent of Orange Blossoms
For me, the most pronounced thing about Sevilla is not its numerous attractions, sights, tapas bars, and multicultural diversity. It is something far more subtle, and takes some time before it actually sinks in. Sevilla simply smells delicious. Currently, it is Spring here, which means the sour orange trees lining the streets are blooming.