PASION FLAMENCA

Pasion Flamenca is an exciting flamenco dance group under the artistic direction of Solange Gomes.  The group is formed essentially by all her students from all schools and studios combined together. It was formed in 1998 and has been invited to participate in various events celebrating traditional and international cultures in Salt Lake.

A brief History of Flamenco

Andalusia, the region of southern Spain that is flamenco’s home, has a strong musical tradition that has been documented from ancient times, mainly when nomadic Gypsies settled in that region during the 15th century. Gypsies, Jews and Moors, all facing repression and brutality because of social and political issues, came together to help each other, and with this melding of cultures flamenco was born.

Flamenco consists of three artistic elements: the cante (singing), the guitarra (guitar) and the baile (dance). In addition, there are often members of a flamenco group playing palmas (hand clapping). Today other instruments such as the Cajon, a box drum of Peruvian origin, have found a regular place in the flamenco cuadro (performing group). The relationship between the artists is similar to that of jazz where there is a basic structure that one must follow, but at its heart, it is an improvised form.

The dancer physically interprets the emotion of the singer and guitar is through his or her movements, which include percussive footwork and intricate hand, arm, and body movements.