World Flamenco Day 2024 – Call for Participants: Pop-Up Flamenco Performance

Join us to celebrate World Flamenco Day 2024 by participating in an exciting Pop-Up Flamenco Performance! Whether you love to dance, want to try clapping along (palmas), or even sing a few words in Spanish, everyone is welcome to take part. This is a grassroots flamenco experience blending professionals and community members, offering a fun, inclusive way to engage with this passionate art form.

Participants will learn simple dance steps, palmas (traditional clapping), or sing along to easy lyrics in Spanish. No previous experience is required—just a love for music, rhythm, and fun! This is a unique opportunity to perform alongside professional artists, celebrate the vibrant art of flamenco, and embrace its community spirit.

No special footwear or attire is required—though flamenco-inspired outfits are welcome if you’d like to get into the spirit!

Event Details:

Who can participate: Open to everyone curious about flamenco! All ages are welcome, and kids can join if accompanied by a parent or guardian. Participants must commit to attending two practice sessions and the final flash mob performance at the Halifax Central Library. Those who prefer not to dance can still participate by sitting and clapping along during practices, and for the event itself, seated participants will join from the audience as we will not be able to add chairs to the stage. Both practice and performance venues are wheelchair accessible, ensuring an inclusive event for all.

Cost: Free! However, registration is required to make note of participants and manage room capacity.

Roles for participants:

• Dance (learn a simple routine with Maria Osende)
• Clap along rhythmically
• Sing a few lines with musicians Joyce Saunders and Jaime Espinoza

Practices:

Dates: Saturday, November 2 & 9, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Location: Northwood Activity Centre, Halifax Campus

Flashmob Performance:

• Date: Saturday, November 16, during the World Flamenco Day 2024 celebration at the Halifax Central Library (Paul O’Regan Hall).
• Event Start: 2:00 PM
• Pop-Up Performance: The closing act of the event, around 3:15 PM.

Join Us! All ages and abilities welcome!

Origins of Flamenco: From Gypsy Roots to Global Phenomenon

Our 2024 theme explores the deep and diverse cultural roots of Flamenco, tracing its origins from the Romany people whose cultural elements of music, dance, and storytelling have fundamentally shaped this vibrant art form. Celebrating prominent Romany musicians and dancers, this theme also delves into the broader cultural melting pot of Andalusia, where Moorish influences and the contributions of Jewish and Christian communities have enriched Flamenco’s musical and dance traditions with a variety of instruments, scales, and rhythms.

Atlantic Flamenco acknowledges the support of Province of Nova Scotia through the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage and from Support4Culture, a designated lottery program of the Nova Scotia Provincial Lotteries and Casino Corporation. We are pleased to work in partnership with the Province of Nova Scotia to develop and promote our cultural resources for all Nova Scotians.

Find out more at AtlanticFlamenco.org