Did Madrid: Flamenco Soultikichris

Our visit to Madrid was for sure a foodie escapade. But there’s much more to Madrid than tapas bars (and that’s a lot for a gourmand like me to get my head around). Without doubt the most memorable experience Kemey and I shared during our weekend away was our own private flamenco lesson. Olé? Oh yeah!

Our Friday morning Flamenco session was booked through personal guide service, Insider’s Madrid. We could not have been more pleased with the class. Our instructor, Alicia Laborda Buhigas, was a kind and patient teacher … and an absolutely phenomenal dancer. Wow! It was a treat alone just to see her in dramatic, poised action! Helped fellow dancer Anna Krust (assisting with rhythm and taking our photos) and guitarist Sergio Muñoz, Alicia encouraged us to show her our “flamenco soul” while imparting her dance wisdom to us.

The hour long private session was held in a small studio at Amor de Dios, a highly regarded school for flamenco and danza española. Indeed, the more I’ve learned about Amor de Dios since making our booking the more I’ve come to realise that this “espacio emblemático” is the place in all of Spain to study flamenco. Just being there was something of a thrill – and it’s not like I’m any sort of dance aficionado or anything.

Approaching the school (situated atop the bustling and homey Mercado de Anton Martin), we couldn’t just hear but actually felt the thunderous and rhythmic clap of the studious stomping above; it was as if an elevated train was passing overhead, rattling in synch with all the goings on throughout the city. Before heading off, we got to poke our heads in one of the school’s larger studios for a quick peek at a class. What a sight … and such a glorious racket! I loved it – especially spying a glimpse of the intense concentration in all the couple of dozen or so dancers’ faces.

The class was a hoot – and super fun way to experience the allure of Spanish culture. The steps we learned were pretty basic, which was perfectly appropriate for me and my two left feet (Kemey enjoyed it immensely as well and reckoned it was ideal for us as a couple). However, I got the impression that Alicia could have more than kept up with the best of dancers and would make a fabulous mentor for any bailaor or bailaora, whatever the level (or lack) of expertise.

We certainly worked up a hearty appetite during the class – and just in time for lunch too which turned out to be a feast of excellent and rather historic significance … but more on that tomorrow.

Later that weekend, Kemey and I caught an early evening dinner show at Las Carboneras Flamenco Tablao (arranged through Insider’s Madrid as well). Dinner was, honestly, a bit on the meh side but nothing to be put off by. For what it’s worth, the sangria quenched and the service was lovely. Besides, the only real reason to go was the extraordinary live music and dancing – all well worth the time and money! From what I can gather, you can really go astray with a lot of the flamenco shows in Madrid, but Las Carboneras is among the best and most authentic. As I’ve alluded, I’m hardly any sort of authority on dance, but my spirit was roused by the performances. Kemey and I both left beaming and impressed and gleefully charged up for night out on the town.