direct from Andalucía Spain NEWSLETTER February 2008 for immediate release www.andaluciaflamenco.com 1 4 T he Andalucia region of southern Spain excites New York with its Eighth Annual Flamenco Festival (February 8 to 24) featuring major theater performances by stellar flamenco singers, dancers and musi- cians “…one of New York City’s most important events” (Newsday). Coinciding with the Flamenco Festival, del- egates from the Andalucia Tourist Board (Turismo Andaluz) together with destination, hotel and resort representatives, will visit New York and other Northeast cities to participate in promotional activities and travel industry presen- tations, with the collaboration of Tourist Office of Spain in New York. Of momentous marketing importance is Delta Air Line’s new nonstop flights between New York (JFK) and Malaga (AGP), inaugurating June 4 with three flights a week and increasing on July 8 to four flights a week. Delta will also offers conve- nient JFK connections systemwide from cities such as Boston, Atlanta, Orlando, Los Angeles and San Francisco. While Malaga’s Pablo Ruiz Picasso Airport (duly named for its native son) receives U.S. visitors direct to the Costa del Sol on the Mediterranean, it also becomes a welcoming hub for traveling throughout Andalucia by car, train or bus. The airport is expanding with construction of an ultra-modern 2.7 million sq. ft. additional terminal scheduled for completion by the second half of 2009, and a second runway in 2010. Iberia Airlines has increased its service to Spain from the U.S. with the introduction of non- stop flights to Madrid from Washington D.C. and from Boston, in addition to its ongoing New York, Miami and Chicago nonstops to Madrid. Service from each of these five U.S. gateways offers con- venient connections through Iberia’s Madrid hub to cities in Andalucia. Another transportation milestone in Anda- lucia is the new high-speed AVE (Alta Velocidad Española) passenger train between Madrid and Malaga inaugurated December 23, 2007 with up to 13 departures scheduled throughout the day in each direction. The 513-kilometer/319-mile trip takes just 2-1/2 hours, reaching velocity up to 350 kph/215 mph. This new Madrid-Malaga route complements Spain’s first AVE high-speed train service be- tween Madrid and Seville (also a 2-1/2-hour trip) inaugurated with extraordinary success in 1992 for Seville’s Universal Exposition. (www. renfe.com) Rooted in folk traditions, the ever-evolving art of flamenco is performed on the world’s great stages and appreciated by refined audiences who, in turn, are inspired to visit Andalucia. Today, flamenco thrives as an integral and essential ele- ment of daily life throughout the eight provinces of Andalucia: Almeria, Cadiz, Cordoba, Granada, Huelva, Jaen, Malaga, and Sevilla. The following masterful performers of the Flamenco Festival, who tour worldwide, are ex- emplary of Andalusia. They have learned the art since childhood, or studied with great maestros, developing into magnificent and (uPG4) ANDALUCIA ROMANCES NEW YORK WITH ITS 8th ANNUAL FLAMENCO FESTIVAL FEBRUARY 2008 DELTA AIR LINES’ NEW FLIGHTS BECKON NEW YORKERS TO ANDALUCIA, SPAIN: JFK / MALAGA NONSTOP INAUGURATING JUNE 4 TOUR OPERATORS Participating in joint marketing agreements with the Andalucía Tourist Board, these experts offer long-established and innovative tour selections in- cluding motor coach escorted tours, train tours, fly- drive, or specialized independent travel itineraries. Each company offers a wide selection of enticing and memorable Itineraries in Andalucía, as you can view on their websites. For brochures, planning and reservations, contact them or see your travel agent. CENTRAL HOLIDAYS www.centralholidays.com/andalucia (866) 521-4180 SPANISH HERITAGE TOURS www.shtours.com (800) 456-5050 SUN HOLIDAYS www.sunholidaytours.com (800) 422-8000 TRAVEL IMPRESSIONS www.travelimp.com (800) 284-0044 ANDALUCÍA: LAND OF F LAMENCO F lamenco is as diverse as the cultures that settled in Andalucía over the centuries: Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, as well as Arabs, Jews, Christians, and the nomadic Gypsies from India who made this their land, a place of rich cultural synergy. Flamenco singing evolved from fusion of legacies: Jewish psalmodic melodies of the ninth through fifteenth centuries, Hindu music, as well as Byzantine, Muslim and Mozarabic chants. The six-string flamenco guitar evolved from Eastern instru- ments. These elements, assimilated by the Andalusian people and enhanced by their innate musicality, and talent for spontaneous interactive improvisation, gave birth to flamenco, a folk genre of complex rhythms, modulations and tonalities. An amazing variety of styles evolved – flamenco scholars count 73 -- each unique to one of Andalucía’s eight provinces: Almería, Cádiz, Granada, Huelva, Jaén, Málaga and Sevilla. The earliest written reference to flamenco was by Cervantes in the early 17th century, describing a preciosa gypsy dancer. It is not necessary to study flamenco in order to enjoy it; however it is rewarding to understand some of the many rhythmic forms. For example, the solemn soleares as well as lively alegrías and bulerías are based on a series of 12 beats accented as follows: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12. Try it, first by counting, then with precision clapping (palmas), foot tapping, finger snapping, and/or tongue clicking on the accented beat. Then, with one or two other people, try the downbeat together with counter- point, then in syncopation, then all three simultaneously. Intrinsic in Andalusian lifestyle, flamenco is enjoyed in tablaos (flamenco nightclubs with shows), congenial bars with spontaneous flamenco, peñas (flamenco aficionado clubs and get-togethers), and traditional Gypsy fiestas. Flamenco flourishes today in Andalusian cities and rural villages known for their immortal geniuses as well as contemporary living maestros. The Andalucía Tourist Board has developed an appealing cultural tourism program called Routes through Flamenco Territories. Seven distinct four- or five-day themed itineraries tour provinces where specific flamenco styles originated, continue today as a vital element of local life, and are performed and explained in situ by local masters. (www.andaluciaflamenco.org) The ingeniously designed Museo del Baile Flamenco (Museum of Flamenco Dance) in Seville, housed in an 18th-century Andalusian mansion, exhibits the history and art of flamenco and its immortals. Mas- ter dance classes inspire future talents, and introductory classes are offered for beginners. The museum is promoted by famed dancer/choreographer Christina Hoyos. (www.flamencomuseum.com) Andalucía’s supreme flamenco festival held every two years, La Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla (Sep 10-Oct 11, 2008) is an extraordinary showcase with an array of daily performances, exhibits and activi- ties in exciting venues throughout Seville. (www.bienal-flamenco.org) Coinciding with the Bienal (biennial), the International Marketplace of Flamenco Tourism is an important trade show attended by major travel agents, tour operators and specialized journalists. The art of flamenco is thriving, evolving, fashionable, and traveling – from cobbled streets of picturesque Andalusian villages to sophisticated theater stages around the world. Contact: Frank Shiell (212) 242-2204 [email protected] ( t PG1) celebrated flamenco artists. At Manhat- tan’s Town Hall Theater, renowned singers, Carmen Linares and Miguel Poveda, share the stage with guitarist Juan Carlos Romero and dancer Pastora Galván on February 8. Dazzling Tomatito,“one of the greatest living flamenco guitarists” (New York Times) performs with his ensemble February 9. Two extraordinary shows will enrapture audi- ences at New York City Center. On February 15, the Gala Flamenca entitled Mujeres (women of flamenco) features three generations of dancers: legendary Merche Esmeralda, innovative Belén Maya, and rising star Rocío Molina, with special guest, singer Diana Navarro, directed by renowned Mario Maya.. The Ballet Flamenco Eva Yerbabuena who, according to The Times of London, “is touched by greatness” , will debut a new show on February 16 and 17. At NYU Skirball Center, the hot new Son de la Frontera ensemble performs fiery vocals, instru- mentals and dance on February 23 and 24. This electrifying group was created in tribute to guitar maestro Diego del Gastor from Morón de la Frontera, Seville, and includes two of his grand- nephews. Promoting culinary appreciation of Andalucia, selected restaurants will feature Andalusian gastronomy and wines during February. Magazine and online sweepstakes will award trips to “the birthplace of flamenco” . Activities related to the Festival include complimentary flamenco dance classes for ticket holders to New York City Center performances. Classes start 90 minutes before curtain in the theater’s “Andalucía Lounge” . The Flamenco Festival also hosts the following complimentary cultural events at the Instituto Cervantes New York (211 East 49 Street, 212-308- 7720) at 6 pm: dialogue with dancer Eva Yerba- buena, February 11; lecture and demonstration by guitarist Paco Jarana February 12; dialogue with dancer-choreographer Mario Maya, February 13; and a screening of the film Zarbahe, la Naturaleza del Flamenco (the nature of flamenco), a documentary by Pepe Zapata, February 14. The Flamenco Festival also tours North America with February performances in Washington, Mi- ami, Los Angeles, Boston and Montreal, then on to London in March at Sadler’s Wells. Flamenco Festival Inc. (www.flamencofestival. org) is produced in the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia by Miguel Marin Productions which presents the New York Festival in conjunction with World Music Institute (www.worldmusicinstitute. org/flamenco) information: www.andaluciaflamenco.com travel in Andalucia: www.andalucia.org ANDALUCÍA CULINARY AFFAIR AT NEW YORK RESTAURANTS HIGHLIGHTING CUISINE AND WINES FROM ANDALUCíA, FEBRUARY 10-20, 2008 ALCALÁ 342 East 46th St (212) 370 1866 BOQUERÍA 53W 19th St (212) 255 4160 CASA MONO 52 Irving Pl (212) 253 2773 EL QUINTO PINO 401 West 24th St (212) 206 6900 E.U. 235 East 4th St (212) 254 2900 MADISON LOUNGE 45 East 45th St (212) 661 9600 OLIVES 201 Park Ave. South (212) 353 8345 PAMPLONA 37 East 28th St (212) 213 2328 PINTXOS 510 Greenwich St (212) 343 9923 SALA 35 West 19th St (212) 229 2300 SOLERA 216 East 53rd St (212) 644 1166 SUBA 109 Ludlow St (212) 982 5714 TÍA POL 205 10th Ave (212) 675 8805 TOLEDO 6 East 36th St (212) 696 5036