Flamenco Tour Week 2

"La India" in Peña Niño de la Alfalfa

Week 2 of the Flamenco Tour was filled with many more Sevillan adventures and flamenco experiences!! I will let the photos and comments from ladies on the tour update you on week #2...

Pam with instructor Francesca "La Chica"

 "I've just returned from the two week Flamenco Tour and haven't been able to stop talking about it!  I have been to Spain many times and have visited Sevilla about four times in the past, but this was the first time that I experienced a stay in Sevilla focused on flamenco.  I was intrigued by Fiona's offering of a tour that would foster an experience of 'living like a local' in Sevilla.  And that is exactly the kind of experience I had - one that was very different from other travels to Spain or Sevilla.  Fiona is really an "Española" and was able to give us just enough direction and contacts so that our stay exceeded any expectations I had.  We were given an orientation at the beginning and then, quite magically, Fiona allowed us that precious mixture of independence and brilliant recommendations that opened the possibilities for us to achieve whatever we wanted to achieve on this flamenco tour.

I have to say that our flamenco teacher in Seville, Francesca "La Chica", is an extraordinary teacher.  She is a beautiful dancer and, as Fiona promised, a warm, engaging person.  Personally, I was amazed at her ability to challenge me and help me take my dance to a new level, because of the privilege of taking lessons every day for the two week period. These lessons were a highlight. And I came to appreciate, at a deeper level, the importance of the cante, the interplay between guitar, singer, palmas, and dancer.

We attended about nine different flamenco related evenings, with a classical guitar concert added to the mix on another evening.  It was through Fiona's connections with the flamenco world in Seville that it was possible to know about these events and to obtain precious passes.  

Inside Teatro Lope de Vega

Highlights for me were experienced every night:  performances at the Casa de Memoria, Caja Negra, T de Triana, the theatre performance La Gloria de mi Mare, were memorable and moving.  Whether it was the beauty of an outdoor concert at La Cartuja, walking across the bridge to Triana with the spectacular views of the Canal and old Sevilla, dining on fish in tartelita de camarones in Triana, sipping rosado in a Santa Cruz Plaza, watching our beautiful teacher Fiona dance in the bulerías de fiesta with the other professionals, witnessing the energy of the crowds during the starry night of the Corpus Cristi celebrations, the breathtaking views of Ronda, the choice of scrumptious tapas before or after events, the enduring memory of the art of the Museo de Bellas Artes, the re-experienced glory of the cathedral, the spontaneous experience of hearing palmas or guitar behind closed doors of a Macarena street -- my memory bank is full of 'pinch me' moments.  

Irene & Gema

El Carpeta bowing at the end of Farruquito's show

Ernest Hemingway said "Some cities have ambience; Seville IS ambience".  My compañeras and I often said that it seemed to us that Sevilla was all about beauty.  We experienced that beauty and ambience at every turn."

(Joanne Stalinski, 2012 tour participant)


"The tour exceeded my expectations. Fiona thoughtfully selected our guest instructor and guitarist - both talented professionals, and kind and patient- with consideration to the needs of our group members. Consequently, I always felt confident to ask questions or to request additional help, and my skill level improved dramatically.

Starting the Alegrias.

Fiona's suggestions regarding accommodations, air travel, and options about activities and events in advance of the trip were superb. In Sevilla, she kept us informed each day of local happenings, with the happy result that we were able to attend shows that most tourists wouldn't know about without this local connection to the Flamenco culture in Sevilla. I appreciated that the schedule wasn't over-structured, and there were lots of opportunities to be flexible to just relax and enjoy the unique Spanish "duende". Fiona's own enthusiasm and love of Sevilla was infectious and inspiring. I'm already looking forward to my next visit!" 

(Pam Snowdon, 2012 Tour Participant)

 "I really enjoyed the 2012 Flamenco Tour.  During the 2 weeks, we had so many different options for shows, which were each special in their own way.  Our instructor was great and knew how to push us to our maximum, while still making the classes enjoyable.  It helped that the instructor was also fluent in English.  I would definitely recommend anyone who would like to advance in flamenco, to do the 2 week tour.  Not only was it a flamenco tour, it was also a cultural experience, and we had lots of time to explore the local sights on our own.  The independent weekend excursions only added to an already great experience.  I would definitely consider doing the Flamenco Tour again."

(Bev Mohammed, 2012 Tour Participant)

We are looking forward to 2013!!!! Tentative dates are June 2-15 (dates can always be altered if there is enough request). Please email tour@fionamalena.com if you are interested. The tour is open to all levels of dance or any other flamenco related or non-flamenco related activity (tailored to your needs). Bring your friends and/or spouses with you as well, everyone is welcome! 
We hope you can join us for 2013.

with El Carpeta after the show