Flamenco music and dance is a beautiful and colorful expression.
The dancers are dressed in swirling skirts and dresses in bright shades of all colors such as red, lavender, green and many ornate designs.
Now we need to find the best dress for the flamenco dance.
The Spanish origins, Gypsy, Byzantine, Sephardic and Moorish constituents are often cited as dominant in the growth of flamenco.
The origins of flamenco are unclear - no records were recorded until the late 18th century.
When Spain set up communities in the New World, they brought the dominant Latin American dance steps as well as music.
It appears the fandango garnered specific dance steps that were found inappropriate by Europeans, as the fandango, chacon and the zarabanda had all been banned in Europe at an earlier time.
Early flamencologists were novices and depended on a restricted number of authentic sources.
These sources included the work of 19th century folklorist Demofilo and notes made by some unknown travellers.
In the 1980's, flamenco began to be offered for study in conservatoriums, and musicologists and historians started to work on more stringent research.
It is unknown and there is some disagreement as to whether early flamenco dance was paired by musical instruments.
It is believed that flamenco was originally only singing (cante).
Later, the flamenco guitar (toque) accompanied the songs along with hand clapping, rhythmic feet stomping and dance (baile).
Nineteenth century writer, Estebanez Calderon described a flamenco fiesta where the songs were accompanied not only by guitars, but additionally by bandurria and tambourine.
Between 1869 and 1910, the Golden age of Flamenco, flamenco evolved quickly in cafes cantantes, a new kind of venue offering ticketed performances as public entertainment.
Dancers were made a public attraction.
Guitarists playing for the dancers additionally gained a reputation, and flamenco guitar was born as an art form.
During this period, flamenco became greatly popular except in the view of purists, incurably over-commercialised.
In the new venue, flamenco was blended with other categories and theatre intervals that portrayed unique scenes by Gitanos and Andalusians.
The costumes, from head to toe, add a great measure of color and romance to the flamenco dance and music.
The dresses are either designed with a full skirt that has several tiers of ruffles from the waste down that may be of plain fabric or lace; they are also designed with a snug fitting part of the dress to just above the knees with several ruffles of matching fabric with dots or other enhancements and lace edges that reach to the ankles (mermaid design).
The shoes are a simple style with medium heal and some are tied with a kind of ribbon, while others are almost the same except they have a strap.
Then there is a pump that is also attractive.
These shoes are made of a velvet fabric on the upper or completely made of leather.
The shoes usually match the dress or skirt.
Other assessories may include a shawl, castanets and fans.
The perfect flamenco dance dresses seem to be the form-fitting style that is snug, or hugs the dancer's shape almost to the knees, and then is decked with tiers of ruffles trimmed in lace and other ornate adornment.
This dress is more contemporary in styling as it became a necessity for some later dancers and fans of flamenco.
The dress also tends to be slightly on the demure side, as the ruffles cannot flounce as high as the full, gathered skirt.
Traditional flamenco artists learned by watching dancers and listening to songs or other music.
In the present, it is not unusual for dancers, guitarists and even singers to be trained by a professional.
Some guitarists can read music and study different styles such as classical guitar or jazz.
Today, many dancers study contemporary dance, ballet and flamenco.
"Flamenco Nuevo" is the new style in flamenco, defined by less extravagant costumes.
With this style, the men often dance bare-chested and the women dance in plain flamenco jersey dresses.
Traditional props such as castanets, fans and shawls are hardly ever used.
The more current flamenco dances include effects from other dance styles.
The dancers are dressed in swirling skirts and dresses in bright shades of all colors such as red, lavender, green and many ornate designs.
Now we need to find the best dress for the flamenco dance.
The Spanish origins, Gypsy, Byzantine, Sephardic and Moorish constituents are often cited as dominant in the growth of flamenco.
The origins of flamenco are unclear - no records were recorded until the late 18th century.
When Spain set up communities in the New World, they brought the dominant Latin American dance steps as well as music.
It appears the fandango garnered specific dance steps that were found inappropriate by Europeans, as the fandango, chacon and the zarabanda had all been banned in Europe at an earlier time.
Early flamencologists were novices and depended on a restricted number of authentic sources.
These sources included the work of 19th century folklorist Demofilo and notes made by some unknown travellers.
In the 1980's, flamenco began to be offered for study in conservatoriums, and musicologists and historians started to work on more stringent research.
It is unknown and there is some disagreement as to whether early flamenco dance was paired by musical instruments.
It is believed that flamenco was originally only singing (cante).
Later, the flamenco guitar (toque) accompanied the songs along with hand clapping, rhythmic feet stomping and dance (baile).
Nineteenth century writer, Estebanez Calderon described a flamenco fiesta where the songs were accompanied not only by guitars, but additionally by bandurria and tambourine.
Between 1869 and 1910, the Golden age of Flamenco, flamenco evolved quickly in cafes cantantes, a new kind of venue offering ticketed performances as public entertainment.
Dancers were made a public attraction.
Guitarists playing for the dancers additionally gained a reputation, and flamenco guitar was born as an art form.
During this period, flamenco became greatly popular except in the view of purists, incurably over-commercialised.
In the new venue, flamenco was blended with other categories and theatre intervals that portrayed unique scenes by Gitanos and Andalusians.
The costumes, from head to toe, add a great measure of color and romance to the flamenco dance and music.
The dresses are either designed with a full skirt that has several tiers of ruffles from the waste down that may be of plain fabric or lace; they are also designed with a snug fitting part of the dress to just above the knees with several ruffles of matching fabric with dots or other enhancements and lace edges that reach to the ankles (mermaid design).
The shoes are a simple style with medium heal and some are tied with a kind of ribbon, while others are almost the same except they have a strap.
Then there is a pump that is also attractive.
These shoes are made of a velvet fabric on the upper or completely made of leather.
The shoes usually match the dress or skirt.
Other assessories may include a shawl, castanets and fans.
The perfect flamenco dance dresses seem to be the form-fitting style that is snug, or hugs the dancer's shape almost to the knees, and then is decked with tiers of ruffles trimmed in lace and other ornate adornment.
This dress is more contemporary in styling as it became a necessity for some later dancers and fans of flamenco.
The dress also tends to be slightly on the demure side, as the ruffles cannot flounce as high as the full, gathered skirt.
Traditional flamenco artists learned by watching dancers and listening to songs or other music.
In the present, it is not unusual for dancers, guitarists and even singers to be trained by a professional.
Some guitarists can read music and study different styles such as classical guitar or jazz.
Today, many dancers study contemporary dance, ballet and flamenco.
"Flamenco Nuevo" is the new style in flamenco, defined by less extravagant costumes.
With this style, the men often dance bare-chested and the women dance in plain flamenco jersey dresses.
Traditional props such as castanets, fans and shawls are hardly ever used.
The more current flamenco dances include effects from other dance styles.
SHARE
