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SHOES

“Proper” flamenco shoes (boots for men) are strongly reinforced and have nails in the toes and heels.  These are generally only available in this country at THE flamenco shop “El Mundo Flamenco” which is in Duke Street, off Oxford Street, London (opposite Selfridges – nearest tube Bond Street).  The makes Jose Beltran, Gaillardo or Coral are recommended and they cost from about £70 - £130.  If you can’t get to the shop, you can buy them over the phone:

telephone no:. 020 7493 0033  

There are now numerous websites selling mail order flamenco shoes such as www.flamenco-world.com and  www.esflamenco.com

However, some cheaper (lesser quality) flamenco shoes with nails are sometimes available locally.  These are called "Gladis" cost approx £45.

However, a cheaper and probably better substitute for beginners are character shoes or “Spanish shoes” which have a (Cuban) heel and a bar but no nails.  These are available at Porselli, (now situated at 4 Frensham Road, Norwich, in the industrial estate just off Sweetbriar Road, entrance opposite Rhone Poulenc, not far from Asda Telephone: 01603 406700). Unfortunately the Dancia shop in St.Benedicts Street has closed, but their website does mail order for character shoes which are considerably cheaper than proper flamenco shoes. Go to www.dancia.co.uk and choose Online Shop. 

PRACTICE SKIRTS

It is not uncommon for women to dance and practise in trousers these days so a skirt is no longer essential.

However traditional flamenco is still danced with a skirt.  A limited range is sometimes available at the local dance shops.

A much wider choice is available at El Mundo Flamenco as above.

If you have access to the internet try other sites such as:

www.flamenco-world.com  

This site is based in Madrid and is very extensive. It sells and covers everything you can think of to do with flamenco! It used to provide a very reliable service, but popularity seems to have slowed it down lately.

Other sites to try are: 

www.flamencoexport.com     www.esflamenco.com 

Or you could have a skirt made. Juana Jimenez is a very good and experienced flamenco dressmaker and makes skirts in a variety of styles and colours. Telephone her on 01279 730795 (Bishop Stortford)

CASTANETS

Castanets come in all sorts of qualities.

When I researched it several years ago, I found only one shop in Norwich selling castanets.  WILLIAM ELKIN MUSIC SHOP, 31 Exchange Street, just along the road from Jarrolds, had some which at the time were Lucero Tena (a good make) and the cost was £8.99 (cheap!!)   Telephone 01603 666332, website www.elkinmusic.co.uk 

Gibson Music Shop has moved to London Street. Telephone 01603 663262

The best choice of castanets is at El Mundo Flamenco, Duke St., just off Oxford Street, London. You can buy them by mail order by phone telephone 0207493 0033.  These castanets are NOT cheap. They have 3 makes, Galiano at £95 and £70 (no, they are not gold-plated), Lucero Tena ranging from £14.90 to £44.50, and Filigrana ranging from £12.95 to £39.95.   The mail order by phone is very good.  I have used them to buy CD's which only took a couple of days to arrive and that was just before Christmas!  But at those prices I would hurry along to Elkin Music while stocks last!!

Of course, you could always get some frog-shaped castanets from Cookes, St.Benedicts, when they get some more in............ 

The London Peña meets once a month on a Sunday at St Aloysius Social Club 20 Phoenix Road, NW1 Nearest Underground: Euston.  Check the shows page and their website for dates and details. You pay to go in, and it usually takes the form of a flamenco show, with tapas available. Twice a year it takes the form of a juerga night, which is spontaneous contributions by the members, like the Norwich Peña always is, although the spots are booked in advance.

The London Peña produces a very good periodic Newsletter cum magazine, packed with useful information, including top class shows, classes and courses around the country.  Well worth the annual membership fee of £15.

Telephone: Vera King 020 7703 6893  

email: info@flamenco-london.org.uk   

website: www.flamenco-london.org.uk

The Spanish Dance Society runs an intensive summer school course in London for 6 days in July.  This covers Spanish Dance (a balletic form), flamenco, and bulerias and is usually very good value for money.

They also produce a periodic Newsletter which can provide useful information, for £14.50 per annum to become an associate member.

Contact Sherrill Wexler: 01784 460419

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Last modified: April 30, 2009