Joyful shouts of “¡Ale, ale!” and “¡Toma que toma!” surrounded the dancers as they improvised to music played by guitarist Alex Jordan from Cuba and singer Pepele Méndez from Jerez de la Frontera, with Jack “Joaquin” Harwood from Santa Barbara on cajón, and directors María Bermudez and Timo Nuñez leading the party.
Do you ever wonder how, besides going to class and rehearsal, the athletic young flamenco dancers whom we admire every summer during Fiesta, learn to perform with so much passion, precision, artistry, and duende?
It is in the peñas, improvisational parties or jam sessions, put on by Flamenco! Santa Barbara , the Santa Barbara Historical Museum , and the Timo Nuñez Arte Flamenco studio , where students of all ages are invited to improvise with expert musicians, under the direction of María “La Chacha” Bermudez and Timo Nuñez . It is here that the young dancers practice the true art of flamenco and grow as artists.