Flamenco in Seville

I went to one with some Spanish friends that was very small and entertaining. I found out after the fact that it was one of the ones Rick recommends in his guidebook. It is held in a small courtyard of a building with a maximum of maybe 45 people watching. Very entertaining!!! Depending on your preferences, you may want to seek out a more touristy one if it is inexpensive. These are some of the only places that you can easily see a Sevillana, the type of Flamenco where the man and woman dance together. Most are more about the music and incredible tap-style dancing than the elaborate costumes and romantic feel that the Sevillanas have.

I think it was a cultural center that held Flamenco concerts - Casa de la Memoria de Al-Andalus. It was not a bar setting - nothing served. Sat in a U shape about three rows deep around a stage. Very nice and not expensive.

Flamenco is a complicated subject (like the differing sub groups of a 'pop' music). What you expect from flamenco is not what you might find if going 'not overly tourist'. Does this suit you? - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkyoaZFupxc&feature=related This is a page on the subject and many places, part of a very large resource for Seville - http://www.exploreseville.com/flamenco.htm

We have been to Casa de la Memoria about 4 times - 3 of them with different overseas visitors. Everyone has loved it. We like that it is not touristy, nor an entire evening and is reasonably priced. During the warmer months they have 2 sessions per evening, during the cooler, only 1. Booking ahead is advisable (although the crisis has hit Spain very hard) as is getting there 30 mins before the start to grab a good seat. That said there are few bad seats.

I've been to the cultural one described by the others and a touristy one with drinks. The cultural one was waaaay beyond the touristy one in quality, music, style, and excitment. I was really pumped afterwards, but the performers change nightly so there are no guarantees what you'll get.

In 2007 we went to Casa de la Memoria. Loved it! Not too large a crowd. We did line up early to get on the front row for photos. We later heard from other travelers who had seen another recommended show that they did not get to see the man and woman dance at the same time. We did. At the very end of the show they tell you when it's o.k. to take photos. Also great atmosphere as it was in a courtyard setting and not an auditorium.

In 2009 we stayed in the old part of Seville (Barrio Santa Cruz). We too saw a show at Casa de la Memoria. It was wonderful, and so was the show we saw at Los Gallos Tablao Flamenco which has been there since 1966. Both were very small venues. Both were also within very easy walking distance of our hotel and that's part of the reason we chose them. I would recommend both. Trip Advisor ranks Los Gallos as #3 of 21 nightlife options and #14 of 86 attractions in Seville.