Flamenco dance by Flavio (back for a while…)

Types

The first thing that most of us associate with the flamenco tradition is castanets and brightly coloured dresses but these are just two of the elements which make up a flamenco performance. As well as the dancing and castanets, flamenco performers will also sing, clap their hands along with the music and play on the traditional style Alhambra guitar. Flamenco has its roots in the Romany gypsy culture of the southern part of Spain, and the city which is the spiritual home to flamenco performers is Seville.

Performers

The flamenco tradition is alive and kicking throughout Spain but still predominates in the south. Informally, at many weddings you can expect to see an uncle get out one of his Alhambra guitars and start to strum a few chords, accompanied by another family member on vocals. There are also many professional flamenco performers, the best of which have the star status usually afforded to pop stars or movie stars. The genre of flamenco has developed over the years and there are many different styles of the music and dancing, some forming crossovers with other art forms such as ballet or tap dancing.

Duende

The key to a good flamenco performance is “duende” a Spanish word which is roughly translated as soul or passion. Flamenco performers put incredible passion into their performances and try to convey the words of the singer through the dance movements. In traditional flamenco performances maturity is an advantage as it is thought that the “duende” develops with age and that teenagers and young adults do not have sufficient life experience to interpret the moves properly. Flamenco in Spain is therefore very popular with dancers in their 30s, 40s or even older.

Experiencing Flamenco

Perhaps the best flamenco experiences are when you stumble across a bar in a remote village and hear the strains of the Alhambra classical guitar coming from inside. Most visitors to Spain are not so lucky, and it can be difficult to find a performance which is authentic and not simply tailored to tourists’ tastes. Going by car to one of the larger towns and cities away from the coast can make it easier to find somewhere, or ask the staff members at your holiday accommodation to recommend somewhere with an authentic feel to it. Some of the best known and most professional flamenco performances are booked up months in advance, so investigate what is due to be happening before you make your holiday plans. If you get bitten by the flamenco bug, there always classes in the UK which will teach you the basics.

Excellent Spanish guitars, ideal for Flamenco, include the stunning Alhambra guitar which can be found at London Guitar Studio’s wonderful online store.

The post Basics of Flamenco – a deeply-rooted tradition in southern Spanish culture appeared first on Best of European Union.

Portsmouth fishing fleet, UK by Roger H. Goun

How to keep occupied when on a low budget

There are many attractions in Portsmouth which don’t cost a single penny in order to enjoy them. Portsmouth has a very long seafront (approximately 4 kilometres) and two piers (Clarence and South Parade) are situated there as well. When walking, cycling or driving along the seafront, there are many events which are organised throughout the year, such as the bandstand which overlooks the seafront. During the summer months, a host of bands and artists perform at the bandstand and several styles of music can be enjoyed at no cost whatsoever.

Portsmouth is a city of culture

Unlike other towns and cities in the United Kingdom, Portsmouth’s cultural attractions have not suffered greatly because its many libraries are still open. Portsmouth has numerous museums which are still free to enter (although giving a donation is recommended). They are also open extensively throughout the year as well.

Enjoying the great outdoors

Despite being hugely developed over the past few hundred years, especially since the end of the Second World War, Portsmouth has many areas which have copious amounts of nature. Hilsea Lines is found in the north of the city and were originally built in the 19^th century in order to protect Portsmouth and its affluent residents from French and Spanish forces if an invasion took place. As the likelihood of this happening soon diminished, Hilsea Lines returned to civilian use and now houses a sanctuary which is host to much nature. Running through Hilsea Lines is a canal and this attracts an abundance of birdlife.

Just a few hundred yards away from Hilsea Lines is Farlington Marshes. With a path running through the top of it, many walkways are in Farlington Marshes which offers those who visit this picturesque area the opportunity to see many birds and animals. Free to enter, Farlington Marshes is a very popular destination, especially as there are many car parks throughout.

Home to the last remains of Henry VIII’s warship the Mary Rose and also both HMS Victory and HMS Warrior, Portsmouth continues to attract thousands of visitors every year. As the upmarket shopping complex Gunwharf Quays opened in 2001 and the hideous Tricorn Centre demolished in 2004, Portsmouth is a far more pleasant place to live and visit, especially as it regularly hosts events which attract people from around the world.

About the author: Russell Hill is a journalist and freelance writer. He loves green tourism and enjoys exploring cities rich in culture and heritage. He gives preference to staying in fully furnished corporate apartments rather than hotels. One company that inspired Russell was Executive Apartments, a fully furnished corporate apartment rentals provider in Washington, D.C.

The post Great and inexpensive family time in Portsmouth | United Kingdom appeared first on Best of European Union.