Flamenco show in Barrio Alameda

We went to a flamenco show last night. It was at a savvy little restaurant in El Barrio Alameda. A kind waitress greeted us as soon as we were sure we were at the right place. She led us through a door with a small step that tripped you if you didn't look down. We were led to a table right next to the stage where the dancers would perform. I slid in first, followed by mom. We sat in the creaky woven straw seats for the next thirty minutes, bored out of our skulls if it wasn't for a soft, yummy, bread bun that the waitress gave us. I was going to ask mom if this really was the right place when an older woman in a light yellow dress stepped onto the stage. Three guitar playerS followed her. Two other men took their places in betweens guitar players. They sat down as a group onto the same style chairs that we were sitting on. The woman started singing in a loud, clear voice that echoed off of the walls. The two men without instruments joined her. The trio sang opera for a little while, and then a wave of applause. I didn't really understand what the singers were singing, so I clapped politely anyway. Then one of the men singers went offstage, and a woman in a dress so long that it dragged on the ground came out. She bowed for some time, and then started dancing. The audience was whistling and hooting almost the whole time. Near the end she whisked the long end of her yellow polka-dotted dress into her hand and tapped her feet against the stage. Shavings of stage flew off of the stage and landed on the white tablecloth. The lady bowed and gestured to the guitar players. Lots of applause. Then, as quick as she had come, she was gone. The show had some really amazing men dancers. One of the men's feet was going so fast, sweat was flying off his hair every time he turned. It was a great cultural experience, and Bryce drew a picture ( or was forced to) of a flamenco dancer. Here it is: ----------picture coming soon------------ I noticed that the dancers either used castanets or their fingers to create sharp snapping sounds in time to the music. We weren't allowed to take video or pictures, so we can't show you how good they were. Sad....... By Laurel