The sevillana is perhaps the best known flamenco palo in the world, above all for the joy it transmits. In this article we are going to explain how to start dancing it to defend yourself at this summer’s flamenco fairs, which are many and very lively.
La sevillana es un palo del flamenco, aunque para muchos neófitos en este arte y para la mayoría de extranjeros que visitan España, sevillana y flamenco son casi lo mismo. Another common confusion (not for those who are introduced to flamenco culture), is that dancing sevillanas is very easy, but no, it is difficult and takes time to learn how to execute the steps correctly. There are also many varieties of sevillanas, such as the rocieras, the marineras, the fair ones… Each one with its differences in steps, rhythms…
A few months ago, we published an interesting article explaining the origin of the sevillanas and you might be surprised if you read it before continuing…
Having said all this, what all agree on is that sevillanas transmit joy, are fun and are associated with good times, meetings with friends and parties full of colour, good fino and good ham. And today we want to bring a smile to your face and invite you to enjoy flamenco, so let’s take you step by step to dance sevillanas. Are you in?
Step-by-step dance guide
This is a simple step-by-step for the uninitiated in these sevillanas dances. In other words, something like sevillanas for dummies”. As to what the basic steps are, you will find them at the end of this text in a video of a teacher that, due to its simplicity, seems to us to be the best way to learn.
Steps. In short, it starts with the right foot forward and the left foot follows from behind. This step is then interchanged: it is the left hand side that moves forward so that the right hand side can follow behind. And so the dance continues as the floor is tapped between steps, a continuous “punta-tacón”.
Posture.It is very important, as much as the steps, a good posture . Upright, but not too much, and with the chin high.
The Escuela Sevillana de Baile summarizes in three aspects the way to stand at the beginning of a sevillana: head upright, shoulders aligned and back straight.
Hands. Even more important is the play of hands and the way the fingers move. Part of the grace of a good bailaor or bailaora is the artistry in those movements that connect with the most emotional part of flamenco. There is a trick for beginners: follow the “I take the apple from the tree, eat it and throw it away”.
Remember that the movements should be smooth and coordinated with the music. Elegance, naturalness and a certain coquetry mark the style of this dance. A good attitude, like almost everything else in life, will save you if you have not yet mastered the technique.
Flamenco fashion is at an exceptional moment. And this, of course, is based on the costumes that add colour and flavour to the artists’ performances.
The costumes and accessories are an important part of the sevillanas. The dresses are usually brightly coloured and very often include ruffles, lace and ornaments. Men usually wear black suits with white shirts and hats. Women wear flowers in their hair and large earrings; men wear scarves and hats. The shoes must be comfortable, but above all, they must be made for flamenco footwork.
Flamenco puro y del mejor
La otra clave para que Mont-de-Marsan se mire con envidia por otros festivales es una muy buena programación.
Explica Javier Puga que, aunque su desarrollo no fue fácil, la línea de traer a lo mejor del flamenco español siempre ha estado presente. Por ejemplo, la primera edición contó con el ballet de Cristina Hoyos, el clan de los Pinini, Rafael Riqueni, José de la Tomasa… En 1990, Camarón de la Isla, Tomatito y Paco de Lucía. Y así, año tras año. Javier Puga dejó de estar al frente de Arte Flamenco 20 años después y escriben y cuentan algunos críticos que el certamen se ha vuelto más comercial y menos puro.
Es un festival que cuenta con muchos patrocinios y mecenas, y con una Fundación que saca recursos para las contrataciones. Durante un tiempo, tuvieron el apoyo económico de la Junta de Andalucía a través de la Consejería de Cultura y del Instituto Andaluz del Flamenco.
Parts of the sevillana
Sevillanas always consist of four parts (the first, second, third and fourth). And each part, copla or verse, of four movements: paseíllo, pasada, careo and remate. Basically, these are the movements that make the dancing couple (yes, it is danced in couple) dialogue musically in a kind of amorous courtship.
Like other flamenco dances, sevillanas also use a lot of foot, hand and body movements, but more in the case of the women, because in this couple dance, the men move more with restraint and according to her steps. The couple dances facing each other and moves in a circle around the dance floor. The man and woman perform coordinated movements and turns, and keep a close distance from each other. Their movements are opposite, as if one were a mirror image of the other.
The benefits of dancing sevillanas: fun and healthy
As well as being a fun way to express Spanish culture, sevillanas also have many health benefits.dancing sevillanas is a form of cardiovascular exercise that helps to burn calories and improve physical endurance. It can also help improve coordination, flexibility and balance.
Dancing sevillanas can be a fun way to release stress and tension. With practice and patience, you can master this dance and become an expert dancer!
La expresividad de la manos en el baile es fundamental.
Flamenco festivals for dancing sevillanas
Undoubtedly, the most famous date with the Sevillanas is the Feria de Abril in Seville, which attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world. At this fair, it is not unusual for the dancing to go on all night and for the local gastronomy to be enjoyed, featuring good olive oil and Iberian products. Some of the summer festivals and fairs where you can practice your art with sevillanas are these:
Granada Fair (Andalusia). The good thing about this fair is that the entrance to the stalls is free and, therefore, it is very popular. So there is no lack of Sevillanas in its spaces and streets at the end of June.
Cordoba Flamenco Festival (Andalusia). It is held in July and offers a wide variety of flamenco shows, including concerts, recitals, exhibitions and conferences..
Malaga Fair (Andalusia). It is very similar to the Feria de Abril in Seville but it is held in the heat of August, so it is much busier from dusk onwards.
Algeciras Royal Fair (Andalusia). This festival, declared of National Tourist Interest, is a central event for the people of Algeciras. It is held at the end of June and bullfighting is one of its strong points.
Festival Internacional de Cante de las Minas (La Unión, Murcia). It takes place in August and brings together leading flamenco artists in concerts, shows and competitions. And the best thing is that the atmosphere is super lively and there is no lack of space for socialising between sevillanas and jamón.
In addition, there are many sevillanas competitions throughout Spain, in which dancers compete to demonstrate their skills and win prizes. These competitions are very exciting and often include dances and performances of other types of flamenco dance.