ZAMBRA WORKSHOP WITH TEMPESTAD/SORAYA!

ZAMBRA WORKSHOP WITH TEMPESTAD/SORAYA

WORKSHOP DATE: Sunday, JULY 25, 2010

WORKSHOP LOCATION:

Del Espadin Flamenco & Spanish Dance Academy
Soraya's School of Belly Dance
3939 Hillcroft, Suite 160
Houston, Texas 77057
(look for the Flamenco Houston sign)

WORKSHOP TIME: 3:30pm-6:30pm

WORKSHOP PRICE: $45.00 (Pre-Reg - deadline July 12, 2010)
$55.00 (after July 12, 2010)

Excellent workshop open to FLAMENCO & BELLY DANCERS to learn the Zambra taught by a flamenco & belly dancer! Choreography will be taught to the live flamenco guitar of Guillermo Serpas!

Photos of Tempestad & Soraya by Bhavin
All participants please be sure to wear full skirts. Flamenco dancers - please bring your flamenco shoes. Belly dancers - please bring your zils. No cameras or spectators allowed inside studio. Workshop registration is non-refundable & non-transferable.

Brief History of Zambra

According to flamenco guitarist and flamencologist D.E. Pohren in his book The Art of Flamenco, the Zambra probably evolved from an earlier dance called the Danza Mora. As its names implies, this is the flamenco dance most influenced by the Moorish culture of Spain. Although rarely seen today, Danza Mora was mysterious and beautiful, mostly danced by barefoot women who used finger cymbals and many slow, fluid arm movements typical of the more serious Oriental dances.

There are references to the Zambra as far back as the 15th century but in contrast to the Danza Mora, the Zambra is more lively and sensuous. The Zambra is a flamenco dance and song whose "compas" (rhythm) is similar to the Tango flamenco, although the guitar chord structure is different from that of the Tango.

Today the Zambra is danced by women, either barefoot or with flamenco shoes. Finger cymbals are often used but the Zambra costume is essentially the costume of the Spanish gypsy, not the bare midriff costume of belly dancing.

It should be noted that in recent years, the Zambra has been inaccurately called the "Zambra Mora". The Danza Mora was a dance in its own right and should not be confused with the Zambra. Many belly dancers influenced by the fusion craze perform the so-called Zambra Mora which is really belly dancing with very few flamenco characteristics. The real Zambra is a flamenco dance complete with markings and footwork and some hip technique exhibiting the presence of Moorish influences in the Andalucian culture. When performed, elements characteristic to both flamenco and Middle Eastern dance should be preserved irrespective of the dancer's preferred genre. Flamenco or belly dance students who are interested in learning the true Zambra should seek an instructor who recognizes the differences between the genres.