Isla Magica

7 p.m. is too early for Spaniards to eat, but perfect for us to go to a Flamenco Dinner Theatre at the Andaluz Palace.

Flamenco is a complex art form made up of singing, guitar playing, dance, poetry, hand-clapping and finger snapping. Performers wear colourful costumes and deep emotions are expressed.

Singing is the most important element of flamenco music. Original Flamenco was comprised purely of singing and handclapping. The songs are passionate, intense, deep and emotional. They are improvised by toe and heel clicking, finger snapping, hand clapping and shouting. It wasn’t until the 19th century that the guitar was added..

It is thought that today’s flamenco clothes were traditional Andalusian but they actually originated from the Spanish gypsies in the 19th and 20th century. The gypsy women were dressed in black, white and red calico dresses with ruffles. That look was adopted by other women of other classes over time.

The dancers at times used castanets that were played skillfully. They used fans and wore beautifully embroidered shawls with fringes that they flipped around their bodies as they dance. It doesn’t look easy.

Flamenco had a Golden Age in which the performance gained popularity and spread from Andalusia to other areas of Spain and the world. It lasted from 1869 until around 1910. Performances started taking place in cafes and people paid to see them.

The show we went to see was held in a theatre and included dinner and drinks. We had a fantastic candlelit meal while watching the amazing performers sweat due to the energy they expended on stage! It was an excellent evening for us.

Our menu included -
Cured cheese slices and Iberian ham to start
Sprouts salad with soft figs and goat cheese
Baked salmon with teriyaki sauce and sesame seeds
Braised Beef with a Pedro Ximénez (P.X.) wine sauce with potato gratin
Chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream and whipping cream
Water and a bottle of Reserve Rioja red wine and sangria!Read more