Founded three years ago in Limoges, the Alma Flamenka group is presenting its new show “A la vuelta de la esquina” this winter. And offers an introduction, for a weekend, to this universe where rhythms, sounds and movements offer a journey into traditional Arab-Andalusian culture.
The essentials of the day: our exclusive selection
Every day, our editorial team reserves the best regional news for you. A selection just for you, to stay in touch with your regions.
France Télévisions uses your email address to send you the newsletter “The essentials of the day: our exclusive selection”. You can unsubscribe at any time via the link at the bottom of this newsletter. Our privacy policy
“In flamenco there are all possible emotions, it can be very joyful as well as very sad, very painful. And the goal is to convey these emotions to the public, so it’s ultimately very theatrical“, remarks the dancer of the group Alma Flamenka Laurent Eymat.
The carriage of the head, the arch of the back, the flexibility of the wrist which wraps the phalanges in volutes while the legs beat the lively or throbbing rhythm, in flamenco the postures of the dancers are intense.
The transverse flute, an unusual instrument in a flamenco group
•
© Didier Radiguet
Traditionally the voices, the guitar and the rhythm carry this dance which tells of the states of the Andalusian soul. Founded three years ago, the Limougeaud group Alma Flamenka adds the sound of a transverse flute, which breathes oxygen into the heart battered by the rhythm of the palmas, these hands which clap twice on the beat, then three times on setbacks.
A rhythm called syncopation, a heart racing and wandering. “That’s twelve, counts the flautist Florence Aymeryc by accentuating the third, sixth, eighth, tenth and twelfth clicks, so it can completely take us to incredible horizons.”
To accompany this heart that beats with joy or pain, flamenco multiplies the sources of rhythm and percussion: this rhythm guitar called the pump, the clear song of the blacksmiths’ hammer, the heel or the tip of the dancers’ toes , shod with zapateos, and the wide palette of the cajon. “It came from fruit crates which were used by slaves in South America. Its use was diverted to make it an instrument which gradually improved over the years”explains Eric Gilbert, percussionist of the group Alma Flamenka.
Flamenco, a percussion dance.
•
© Didier Radiguet
To warm up the winter, the group offers its new show on stage, entitled “A la vuelta de la esquina” (on the corner of the street). “We have all matured a lot, the guitar has matured, the dancing has matured, me a lot in singing. I’m working on more complicated, more complex songs, and I think it’s a new show that will have more strength.”hopes Toby Drake, guitarist and singer of the group.
The artists of Alma Flamenka offer to continue this journey to the heart of the Arab-Andalusian soul with introductory workshops open to everyone, from 14 years old.
