New Mexico, particularly Albuquerque, is recognized as a global hub for flamenco, the traditional dance and music from the Roma people of southern Spain. The region's profound Hispanic heritage, stemming from Spanish settlers over 400 years ago, adds a unique twist to the art form. The National Institute of Flamenco and the University of New Mexico offer dedicated training, promoting local interpretations of flamenco. Notable figures like Vicente Griego stress the importance of regional influence, stating that their cultural DNA shapes local flamenco, distinguishing it from traditional styles found in Spain.
"Here in New Mexico it's got to sound like us," says Vicente Griego. "There's other people who want to do flamenco exactly the way it's been done in Spain. But what makes us really special here and what keeps us honest, is that we have our own history."
Says Marisol Encinias, executive director of the National Institute of Flamenco: "I like to think that there's something in our DNA that ties us to the antecedents of flamenco from way back."
Collection
[
|
...
]