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Posted by
7731 posts

Are you just going to Barcelona? A more authentic Flamenco experience is in the south of Spain in the region of Andalusia. Catalonia the region where Barcelona is located is not known for Flamenco, though since it is popular tourist destination you will find it. I would go to the performance you sent the link to since it is a tribute to one of the greatest Flamenco guitarists Paco de Lucia who is from the town of Algeciras located in Andalusia.

Posted by
94 posts

Ahhh interesting. I did not know that. This is our first time to Barcelona. We would always prefer the authentic and would love someone to steer us in the right direction.

Posted by
7731 posts

I would go to that performance a tribute to Paco de Lucia. I saw him in Chicago before he died about 20 years ago.

Posted by
6386 posts

As an FYI, the La Mercè festival begins on the 23rd. It is fantastic so look at the schedule of events for things you want to see. Doesn’t help with your original question, but will provide you with many other ideas.

Posted by
94 posts

Brilliant Jaimee. That'll make for an incredible and memorable final evening. Wow!! Thanks so much. Thanks Jazz+Travels, I agree, it looks incredible.

Posted by
94 posts

Jazz+Travels... While I got you here haha, we're looking for great Jazz on our travels. We were planning to go here in Paris?

Le Caveau de la Huchette

Thoughts? Or is there something better?

Posted by
10120 posts

We saw a guitar and dance program at the Palau de la Musica in 2016. Not only was it excellent, but the building is a marvel. Although Barcelona is in Catalonia, it doesn't matter. They are presenting an excellent program. I chose it for the guitar trio and was delighted when the dancing began, too. Enjoy.

Posted by
3218 posts

I am on the same plane as Bets! We enjoyed a "Flamenco y Opera" performance at the Palace of Catalan Music in 2017. The building is amazing! It turns out that I am way more a fan of Montaner than Gaudi.

Posted by
7731 posts

La Caveau is not my style. I think Rick Steves recommended it so lot more tourists
I recommend Sunset or Duc Des Lombards or New Morning Cafe. Those are where the top New York talent level musicians play when touring Europe.

The French along with the Japanese are among the great jazz audiences in the world. This all came from the American presence in those places right after World War 2.

Posted by
46 posts

Gran Gala Flamenco is at The Palau de la Musica on the 18th. We just saw that show last week and it was outstanding. I'm sure the Guitar Trio & Dance is good, too. I recommend sitting as closer on the side, rather than in the back in the middle at the same price point.

Posted by
124 posts

I saw the flamenco and guitar show at Palau Musica last month and it was fabulous. I use to dance Flamenco as a kid so I really enjoyed the artistry. As others have mentioned, it is a beautiful building and setting. We went early to grab a cocktail and tour the building. We stayed at the H10 Urquinaona Plaza hotel which is just a 5-7minute walk from the Palau Musica and found the hotel very comfortable and easy for getting around Barcelona. (Join the H10 Club and you get free breakfast). After the show we were starving and grabbed a great burger at La Central Hamburguesería Laietana which was one of the few restaurants near the place that was still open. It was my first time in Barcelona and I loved it.

Posted by
2455 posts

John, I saw the Gran Gala Flamenco performance at the Palau de la Musica a few years ago, and it was excellent. The main concert hall is magnificent. I got my ticket online, WAY in advance, and chose the front row center seat of the mezzanine, just perfect. Of course, a stage performance in a large concert hall is very different than traditional and intimate Flamenco which you might better be able to find in neighborhoods or small towns in Andalusia, than in Barcelona. (The Tablao de Carmen might be more similar, maybe someone who went there can comment about that.) On a different day, I also took the excellent English language tour of the Palau building, during which you see much more of the building, learn about its history, etc.
Enjoy wonderful Barcelona, with so much to see and experience!

Posted by
7595 posts

John,
My wife and I did tablao carmen in Barcelona about 10 years ago. It was pretty good.

However, back in the 80s, I was in Torremolinos in Andalusia and saw a really fantastic flamenco show that was even better. In that show, the dancers used castanets to make the clicking sound that is apart of the dance.

The dancers at table carmen were very good, but did not use castanets. Clapping was the replacement.

We enjoyed the show, but it won't be like the one we saw air Andalusia.