Leeds Flamenco Pena

Continuing the Festival tradition of bringing the best in world music to the region each summer, the Royal Hall will be transformed into a summer night in Andalusia as Pepa Molina & Company take to the stage on Sunday 27 July. Presenting an evening of pure flamenco - featuring the traditional styles of Tangos, Bulerias, Alegrias and Soleas - this acclaimed troupe of dancers, singers and musicians present a stunning show that pushes at the traditional boundaries of the art while staying true to its roots.

Call the box office on 0845 130 8840.

FLAMENCO DAY WORKSHOPS

IN LEEDS

At Holistica Dance Studio. Mill 6 Unit 1 Mabgate Mills LEEDS LS9 7DZ

Sun 27^th July 10.00-5.30 pm

You choose what you want

Come and enjoy a day full of Flamenco art. From castanets to fans, learn new Flamenco techniques, rhythms, expressive movements and even how to play the guitar. The afternoon will end with a live Flamenco performance and a social evening event for participants who want to practise what they have learnt during the day or those enthusiasts who would like to come along and enjoy the real taste of Spain. All workshops will be accompanied by live music!

10-11pm Technique1. This course is aimed at beginners or participants who haven’t tried Flamenco before. In this workshop you will learn basic Flamenco stamps, posture and body alignment. You will work on basic foot work combinations.

11-12pm Body expression2. This course is aimed at participants who have one year experience in Flamenco or another type of dance such as ballet, modern, contemporary.

12-1pmTechnique2. This course is aimed at participants who have one year experience in Flamenco or tap. You must wear Flamenco or tap shoes. You will work on an Escobilla (foot work combination)

1.00-2pm Body expression1. Everybody is welcome to join. This course is aimed at participants who want to learn a choreography by Tango-Rumba. In this workshop you will work on posture, body balance and hips, arms and hands technique.

2.15pm-2.30pm. Break

2.30-3.15pm Castanets & Palmas. Everybody is welcome to join. Learn how to play castanets and how to clap to the most popular Flamenco rhythms. You should bring your own castanets. You can buy them on the day.

2.30-3.30 Flamenco Guitar. Learn how to play some Flamenco rhythms and the Spanish technique style. Be able to play some rasgueos and remates. You most know how to play the guitar. You must bring your own instrument.

3.30-4.30pm Fan Workshop. Everybody is welcome to join. Learn choreography incorporating the fan and its technique. You should bring your own fan. You can buy one on the day.

4.30-5.30 Flamenco live performance and social evening.

What to wear? Men can wear comfortable clothes and women a lousy skirt and solid heeled shoes. FREE PARKING AT THE STUDIO & AROUND THE AREA.

Flamenco Day Fee: £22 (Includes any workshop and the Flamenco performance)

1 Workshop £7- Castanets & Palmas Workshop £6

£10 Guitar Workshop + Live Flamenco Performance and Social Event

Flamenco Live Performance and Social Evening Event £3

Book 3 workshops get 1 for free. Book in advance and get 20% off.

For more information contact Carla Soto 07748285567 carlasotom@hotmail.com

http://www.leedspena.co.uk/carla-soto/ 

Cheques payable to Carla Soto.

Leeds Flamenco Pena are organizing their 4^th annual get-together at Herd Farm Activity Centre, North Leeds from 11^th to the 13^th July 2008. This is an informal gathering  for friends of the Leeds Flamenco Pena to chill and enjoy like-minded company for a few days. Although no Flamenco Activities are planned at the moment we anticipate the getting together of dancers and guitarists will lead to quite a creative time for everyone.The weekend is fully catered with breakfast, lunch and evening meal provided, including dinner on Friday evening and a cooked Sunday lunch. You may bring your own alcohol.Accommodation is in shared rooms with between 2 and 6 beds to a room - these will be allocated on a first-to-book basis.  Maximum no of guests 36. We need a minimum no of 20 to be viable.Prices £72.00 per person for 2 nights including meals. Please inform us of any special diets as soon as possible. Camping is available at a lower cost of £45 per person. Anyone wishing to attend for the day only on Saturday may do so for a cost of £20, to include two meals, an activity if desired and the evening get-together.There are activities (e.g. archery, BMX biking, high ropes) included in the price that  are provided by Herd Farm– we will advise of these nearer the time if guests are interested.To book, please send a deposit of £35 to the address below by the 5^th June 2008. Please note that smoking is not allowed within the Herd Farm buildings.Please make cheques payable to Leeds Flamenco Pena, and send to                                              

Mrs. Cath Boardman, 6 Larchwood, Woodlands Drive, Rawdon, Leeds LS19 6JZ

Click Here to find out more / Book

Once again Leeds Flamenco Pena had a succesfull Flamenco weekend on the 14th - 16th September 2007. This was a residential weekend starting on Friday about 4 p.m. and finishing Sunday at 2 p.m.

The night was cold and windy as I drove down the small rough made road on my way to Herd Farm. It was after 4 o clock so it was also very dark with no street lighting to illuminate the road. The combination of horrible weather and winter darkness gave a nasty feel to the evening. That was until I saw the Herd Farm building and that gave out a big welcome glow. A large window in the dining room and a Christmas Tree with its coloured lights dancing up and down certainly made it feel more like the festive season.

Just as I pulled in to the car park my mobile rang and I thought it would be Mike Holland ringing me to make sure I had not missed my turning again. I had already done so a couple of times earlier and rang Mike to get precise directions. It was Mike and I am sure he must have thought how did I manage to get lost. Considering that the Herd Farm Web site has a very good detailed map on it with a print out option. I had left that on my desk along with a few other bits and bats I meant to take with me.

Mike showed me in to the place and told me it was meal time so I dropped off my guitar and case and headed to the dining room. I can’t really describe the welcome I felt walking into that room. I think it was a combination of things, firstly I knew just about everyone there and they all greeted me as I walked in. Then there was also a warm greeting from the Lady from Herd Farm I think her name is Lynn and she made all of us feel very comfortable. Last but not least the building is set out in a very modern way but not lacking any of its original atmosphere.

To my delight out side in the courtyard was a giant Chess set and Allison and Sylvia both knew how to play and gave me a couple of games. We stopped the first game after a couple of hours so we could join in the flamenco activities upstairs. Sadly the windy weather blew the pices over and we started over again the next day and I lost to the two ladies but in spite of having a bad cold I certainly enjoyed myself.

I think all who attended the weekend enjoyed it very much and considering just getting together for a Flamenco session is always a treat Herd Farm and what it had to offer was a bonus. It was also good to see some of our friends from Hebden Bridge who came to join us.

It is hard to believe that Herd Farm is so close to Leeds city centre, it was so good to wake up to breathtaking countryside, the view from my room was quite exceptional. On the Saturday I felt quite ill with that bug I had picked up but felt better for a walk around Eccup Resovoir in the company of the Flamenco ladies. The fellas were all fired up with the rythms of Flamenco and stayed at the farm and no doubt played till their fingers hurt. I must admit being the only male on our walk was really nice, I think the girls were spoiling me a little. Even though I felt pretty dreadfull I was glad I made the effort to go as because of some personal problems and the dam bug I was thinking of giving it a miss. I think if I had not gone Mandy and kathy would have come and dragged me there.

Herd Farm offers out side activities as well, including Archery and a High wire assault course, at least that is what I think it was. You can visit their site at www.herdfarm.co.uk and see for your selves what they have to offer.

What ever your group be it Flamenco or tiddleywinks I feel sure Herd Farm will enhance your experience and I must also mention the food and accomodation are extremly good value for money. I did not manage to catch the Chefs name but his cooking was spot on.

I think we shall return to Herd Farm in the not too distant future and when the nights are longer. Anyone who plays a wrong note or dances a wrong step will then have to have a go on the High Wire thingy.
This event took place on the 29th December to the 31st December 2006.

See you on the High Wire then.

Fue estupendo

Derek.

Below are some pictures of the event;