If you want to go and see something unbelievably life affirming, then I would recommend that you go and see something during the Flamenco Festival at Sadlers Wells that they host every year over 10 days. This year was extra special as it’s their 15th anniversary and they went above and beyond to find the real stars of flamenco. It gives you such a massive shot of excitement to watch the vibrant energy emanating from the artists of all ages dancing their hearts out with such passion.
We were lucky enough to get tickets to see Gala Flamenco La Chana, Goddess of Compás. It was a rare appearance from “The Sorceress” herself and an evening whereby four champions of flamenco come together to pay homage to the legendary flamenco queen La Chana. She is back in the forefront of our attention after four decades after her time in exile and is surrounded by a team who hold her in huge admiration, bordering on the religious.
Each of the supporting team gave incredible solo performances: Antonio Canales has a huge charisma and must be in his 60’s and El Farru is the brother of a famous dancer from the Los Farruco dynasty and very gorgeous. Gema Moneo was beautiful to watch and is one of the most talented young flamenco dancers of the moment and Ángel Rojas completed the quartet as a dancer and choreographer. It was all magnificent to behold.
La Chana is the legendary flamenco dancer who is now in her 70’s. My friend thought it might just be “the best thing I’ve ever seen.” She is a force of nature, despite having mobility issues now, but even in her seated position she still manages to portray an extraordinary amount of passion using enough strength, speed and her very soul to dance. It certainly does not deter her from giving one of the most extraordinary performances I have ever seen, pouring the anguish of her private life into her dancing through every cell of her body.
She is all about the beat. “My confidence is in the beat”. La Chana “The Goddess of the beat”
What an extraordinary life the Catalan superstar, nicknamed La Chana has had. There is a documentary about her which reveals the emotional rollercoaster of her tough life and her remarkable career. A strong willed female performer rising above the restrictions of the patriarchal society into which she was born. She had a brutally possessive husband who she now describes as “a bad gypsy”. He exerted an iron control over her burgeoning career in the 1960’s “he was my master, my owner, and I was his servant” and was responsible for turning down Hollywood offers and forcing her into early retirement. He made her stop when she was at her best and she is angry about that, but has returned to dancing after 30 years and loving every minute, despite the pain she is clearly in.
It offers hope to all of us to never give up our dreams and carry on being physical until our last breath. I am even thinking about taking up flamenco dancing myself.
