Wine With Wanda

Noche Flamenca Heats Up the Big Apple

Through the raw power of voice, music, and movement, Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca transport the audience from New York City to the soul of Spain. More than a flamenco show, Noche Flamenca is a sensual, powerful, and haunting experience. Lead dancer Soledad Barrio is a petite powerhouse who owns the stage with every twirl, stomp, and shimmy. Juan Ogalla and Antonio Jimenez, the male dancers, captivate the audience with their grace and power. The dancers are accompanied by a passionate trio of vocalists (Emilio Florido, Manuel Gago, Miguel Rosendo) and two virtuoso guitarists (Salva de Maria and Eugenio Iglesias).

One of the things I love best about Noche Flamenca is the authenticity of their performances - no over the top stage production and distracting sets. They are confident in their ability to spellbind the audience with their extraordinary talent, and they are right!

You can catch Noche Flamenca in New York City at the Cherry Lane Theatre until January 13. From January 14-May 15, their winter tour will take the group to Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Colorado and other locales. I've gone to see Noche Flamenca twice on their current tour and both times I've come back home practicing my flamenco moves in the mirror. Ole!

PS To learn more about Flamenco, read my article Feeling Flamenco: Add Some Ole to Your Day.

Feeling Bold and Bodacious? Add a Dash of Burlesque to Your Day

With tassles, feathers, and plenty of va va voom, burlesque entertainers from Gypsy Rose Lee to Dita Von Teese have captivated audiences with their artistic shimmying. Maybe you don't have plans to hit the stage anytime soon but here are some fun ways to add a dash of burlesque to your day.

See the Movie: Starring Cher and Christina Aguilera,  Burlesque doesn't open until Thanksgiving Day but the film is already generating big buzz. I love a lavish Hollywood musical and this film is bound to have some great tunes and dance numbers. And, it's been way too long since we've seen Cher on the silver screen - she's always been a bit burlesque!

To learn more about burlesque pioneer Gypsy Rose Lee (pictured above), rent the 1962 film Gypsy starring Natalie Wood and Rosalind Russell.

Take a Class: Want to learn the basics of burlesque from glove peeling to chair dancing? Enroll in a course at The New York School of Burlesque, Miss Indigo Blue's Academy of Burlesque in Seattle, Ginger Valentine's Burlesque Charm School in Dallas, or Studio L'Amour in Chicago. Also, many dance studios across the country offer burlesque classes.

Buy the Book: Written by Jo Weldon, founder of the New York Burlesque Academy, The Burlesque Handbook has info on basic moves, costume selection, and even making pasties! 

 
Get the Look: Fishnet stockings and red lipstick are simple ways to add a sexy burlesque touch to your everyday look. Find these versatile goodies at any drugstore or department store. I'm a big fan of HUE fishnets - they seem to last longer than other brands I've tried.

Pump up your manicure with an OPI nail lacquer inspired by the film Burlesque. The 12 attention getting colors include Show It & Glow It, Take the Stage and Bring on the Bling ($8.50 each and available at Amazon). 

Play up your peepers with a fringe of faux lashes - try the Japonesque Complete Lash Kit ($9.80 at Amazon).

Flamenco Fever Hits the Big Apple

Maybe in my next life I'll be a real flamenco dancer instead of just prancing around my living room! Until then, watching professionals satisfies my craving for Spain's passionate, powerful and poetic art form. Some world class flamenco artists are coming to New York City over the next few weeks. Save the date and get your ole on! ( For more great NYC events, read my newsletter)

Flamenco Vivo presents Bailaor/Bailaora
Symphony Space
Thursday, October 7 - Saturday, October 9. 7:30 pm. $35
"Bailaor/Bailaora, a compelling depiction of the flamenco art form over the last two centuries, exposes its' elemental conflicts. Fierce yet sensual, Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana paints a picture from flamenco's early origins through today's captivating modern innovations."


Pilar Rioja at the Repertorio Espanol
October 20 - November 8. Tickets start at $25
"Pilar Rioja is known worldwide as the Queen of Spanish Dance. She was born in Torreón, México to Spanish parents who hailed from the Rioja region of Spain. " I've seen Pilar perform and she is an amazing combination of grace and strength.

PS - Want to know more about flamenco? Click here to read my picks for great films and music that will add some ole to your day!

Feeling Flamenco: Add Some Olé To Your Day

Seeing tiny fashionista Suri Cruise dressed to the nines in her flamenco outfit took me down memory lane. As a little girl, I spent countless hours playing dress-up as a Gypsy and pretending that I could speak Spanish and dance flamenco. So, it probably isn't too surprising that I spent 2 years of my young adult life studying in Spain. Well, studying, falling in love, and having way too much fun.

I learned many things in Spain but, sadly, I never mastered the art of flamenco. However, I still have a great passion for the music. Many people consider flamenco to be the "Spanish Blues" but the music is also very joyful. I have colorful memories of sipping sweet wine and dancing to a lively bulería with my amigos in Spain.

I find it impossible to listen to flamenco and not be moved. So if you want to add a dash of olé to a dull winter day, I prescribe a dose of flamenco. Once that rhythm hits you, you will feel transported to sunny & sultry Sevilla. Here are 5 ways to get your recommended daily allowance of fabulous flamenco.

See Noche Flamenca: Soledad Barrio & Noche Flamenca's seamless blend of raw emotion and brilliant artistry have made them Spain's most successful touring company. Their critically acclaimed performances are powerfully authentic. You can catch Noche Flamenca in New York City until January 16. Their whirlwind tour continues in Philadelphia, Montreal, Toronto and Boston.

Watch Bebo Y Cigala -

One of the best Christmas
presents that I received was the DVD Blanco y Negro: Bebo y Cigala En Vivo. Directed by Fernando Trueba, this concert video filmed in Mallorca brilliantly captures the cross-cultural collaboration between Cuban jazz legend Bebo Valdes and Spanish flamenco singer Diego "El Cigala" Salazar. While this isn't traditional flamenco, Bebo's brilliant piano playing paired with Diego's seductive voice are a match made in heaven. You can also buy the acclaimed CD that inspired the concert, Lagrimas Negras.

Listen to Camarón de La Isla: No discussion of flamenco is complete without mentioning Camarón de la Isla. This legendary singer passed away in 1992 and is considered by many to be the greatest flamenco singer that ever lived. Camarón often collobarated with the brilliant Spanish guitarists Paco de Lucia and Tomatito. I recommend his cd Potro de Rabia y Miel. I dare you to play the track La Primavera without dancing to this joyful rumba.

Watch Carlos Saura's Flamenco: This 1995 documentary boasts performances by many of the biggest names in flamenco. Dancer Joaquin Cortes is especially captivating and gorgeous! The film is available for rent at Netflix.

Go to the New York Flamenco Festival: Winter in the Big Apple will be sizzling thanks to the 10th Annual New York Flamenco Festival. From February 11-14, dancers and musicians direct from Andalucia will bring the magic of flamenco to City Center.