WHAT IS FLAMENCO?

Flamenco is a music from the region of southern Spain called Andalusia.  Flamenco originates in families, towns and and communities of the region.  The dance is integrated in the music.  UNESCO designated Flamenco as a World Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010.  Flamenco is rich in its culture, history and roots because of the people who migrated from other parts of the world and formed the art in Andalusia throughout the history.  Flamenco has various musical influences including the Romani, African, Jewish, and Moorish.  Dancers and musicians communicate with each other in a call-and-response method.  Much of it is done improvised in response to each other in the moment.  Dancer's lyrical upper body movements and intricate footwork is the expressions of his/her emotions and  interpretation of the music and rhythm.