I often look at the world and wonder why we have so many differences that cause a lot of hardships and wars. Often, we see that in certain families that do not get along, they are constantly fighting with each other and truly wanting to hurt one another. One day, a total stranger/group starts attacking the family, and all of a sudden the family comes together to protect itself.
What do you think would happen if a different world would attack our mother earth? Do you really think that we would still be fighting amongst ourselves? There is no way. Our differences in color, culture, religion, gender, and other types of differences would just disappear in a matter of seconds.
By seeing ourselves as a unit, we would be stronger than ever. This is why in the above examples, they have come together. This is just to be stronger. One person can only do so much, but many people with the same goal can change the world.
Quantum physicists have now discovered that the belief of thinking that we are separate from one another is the main reason for all of our troubles, and we can definitely see this in the above examples.
You might ask what does that have to do with Flamenco? Well, it has a lot to do with Flamenco. Flamenco and all dance schools in general are working so independently from one another that it causes every one of them to be smaller than they could be. In contrast to sport for example, each sport focuses on the ultimate nirvana – whether it is to make it to the NHL (www.nhl.com ), the CFL (www.cfl.ca ), the NFL (www.nfl.com ), the NBA (www.nba.com ), the MLB (www.mlb.com ), or the Olympics (www.olympic.org ), the focus is one huge major achievement, and every training is geared toward that. Note that, it does not matter which school/club each athlete came from, but what matters is how they are prepared to reach their ultimate potential. Also each school/club’s purpose is to help every individual to be as best prepared as they could. What if we could adopt the same thing in dance/art? Can you imagine how many great artists would come out of this way of thinking?
Being in the flamenco scene, I often hear how many other artists are criticized, by other flamenco artists. However, what they don’t realize is that every critic is killing everything about flamenco. For example, in the mid 90s, there were so many criticisms about the Gypsy Kings (www.gipsykings.com ). Many comments were saying that the Gipsy Kings are not true Flamenco and so on. What many critics have failed to realize is that in the time that Gipsy Kings were at their peak, every Flamenco school had an influx of new students interested in Flamenco. Think about that for a second. What we often criticize is sometimes the only thing that helps us survive. We have to stop killing the messenger.
Here are a few things that can help us grow our great flamenco family:
• Encourage every person/group/school that is doing something Flamenco, in fact in any art, even if you don’t think they are good enough. Because being good enough is just a matter of certain awareness. The more aware you are, the more you will need to see something extraordinary to impress you.
• Let’s come together for FLAMENCO – forget about the differences between our schools and teachers.
• Every time someone says the word Flamenco, tell them about all the schools that they could study from. Let them figure out, who is good for them.
• We must see ourselves as one unit, and if everyone talks positively about this art, more and more people will be willing to give it a try. No one wants to be part of an environment that is not positive.
If we do all this, here is what I predict will happen:
1- More people will enter the flamenco schools in dance, guitar, singing, and percussion. Therefore, many of our teachers will have way more students.
2- More guitarists and singers will transit from another aspect of guitar to Flamenco guitar. Therefore, more dancers will be able to work with guitarists and singers.
3- More restaurants will be willing to have Flamenco music and dance in their restaurants. Therefore, new people will be exposed to this art form.
4- With more people in the schools, the teachers will make more money, and will be able to provide a better service to their students. One aspect of that would be to have live guitar and singing in all classes.
5- More flamenco retailers will enter the market. Therefore, everyone will have choices as to what and where to get shoes, skirts, and other stuff.
6- New schools will form, after all students should never remain students forever. They too must learn to pass on knowledge. Therefore, more and more people will enter flamenco.
7- More studios will be built to accommodate flamenco. Therefore, the students will have more choices as to where to train and practice.
8- The best flamenco artists in the world will love to come here. Therefore, we will continue to be inspired by these incredible artists, and this inspiration will excite our own creative juices. In time, we will have many more amazing performances by our artists.
9- Local flamencos will get together often to have fun to experience flamenco the way it should be. Therefore, a deeper meaning of the art form here will be created.
10- And so on, and on, and on…
Only positive things can come out of all of this. Do you think I am dreaming? Maybe you are right. I am dreaming, but it is only by dreaming one can help change a current reality.
Thank you again for reading my blog.
Lionel Félix
Executive Producer – www.torontoflamencofestival.com
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Acknowledgements
My name is Lionel Félix, and I am the executive producer of the Toronto International Flamenco Festival http://www.torontoflamencofestival.com/
In thinking about the first subject for my blog, I decided to acknowledge the many (mainly Canadian) people/teachers that have affected my path as a previous flamenco dancer, as a flamenco product online sale person, and current producer of the festival.
I would also like to start with a slight warning because as soon as we start naming names, there is no doubt that I will omit, unintentionally, some names. If you are one of those that you think I omitted and you know that you affected my path, please accept my sincere apology, and understand that I will always be happy to hear from you, and will be happy to thank you in person.
Here we go
To my wife Alexandra Félix – Thank you for believing in me and sticking by me, and in joining me in this journey of the creation of the Toronto International Flamenco Festival. Thank you for our beautiful family and life together.
To my previous mentor Sue Lacher - http://www.thegeniusinside.com/ - Thank you Sue for teaching me this great art of goal setting and for having been a great personal mentor to me.
To my first ever Flamenco teacher – Elena La Comadre - http://www.arteflamenco.com/ – thank you for the two and a half year that I spent at your school and for helping me find the meaning of Flamenco, and it is in your school that the desire for http://www.theartofexpression.com/ was created
To Valeria Scannura – http://www.ritmoflamenco.ca/ – thank you for showing me proper footwork.
To Esmeralda Enrique – http://www.flamencos.net/ – thank you for all the classes that I have taken from you and this is where I learned the importance of Contra Tiempo. Thank you for bringing the many great artists to Toronto in the last several years. A special thanks for having accepted my invitation to perform at the 2008 Toronto International Flamenco Festival.
To Carmen Romero – http://www.carmenromero.ca/ – thank you for helping me understand the deeper meaning of Flamenco, and for encouraging me to go to Spain. Thank you also, for including me as a dancer in one of your own creations at the fringe festival in 1999, and for your amazing innovative mind in Canadian Flamenco. Thank you also for having accepted my invitation to perform at the 2008 Toronto International Flamenco festival.
To Miguel de La Bastide – http://www.carmenromero.ca/ – thank you for having accompanied me as a guitarist in my second soloist performance, even when I was still very new in this art, and thank you for being part of the 2008 festival.
To Hali Dale – thank you for having work with me as a dancer, and from you I learned, the importance of dancing like a man, with the proper sharpness, and speed. Thank you also for accepting our invitation to perform at the 2009 Toronto International Flamenco Festival.
To Rita Benz - http://www.ritabcostumes.com/ - thank you Rita for making flamenco clothing in the last several years and for also volunteering at the 2007 flamenco festival.
To Tanya Bakala – http://www.missiondancecentre.com/ - thank you for introducing me to the inclusion of Flamenco in the ballet world
To Teo Morca – http://www.morca.com/ - thank you for encouraging me to attend your workshop in Bellingham, Washington
To Michael Kozak and Raija – http://www.madfordance.ca/ - thank you so much for running an independent dance studio, it is through your studio that I grew in awareness, ability, and vision for the festival.
To Paula Moreno – thank you so much for taking a few minutes of your time to speak with me in 2008. We have not formally met, but I can tell you that from the many people that I spoke to, I discovered that many of our teachers came through you. It is said, from the book, Conversations with God, that a great teacher is one that produces many masters. Without your contribution, I would have not been able to take lessons from the above teachers.
To Susan Walker – thank you Susan for your open-mindedness and friendship. I am extremely happy that you have accepted to work with us for the 2009 festival.
To Lina Moros - http://www.flamencolinamoros.com/ – thank you for taking me to my first flamenco tablao at Casa Galícía and for allowing me to take your classes, whenever I was in Montreal.
To Oscar Nieto – http://www.oscarnieto.com/ – thank you Oscar – I first met you at my trip in Bellingham, Washington, and I had heard you sang Flamenco Cante in English. I felt that was very innovative. Thank you also for meeting me in 2008 and for giving me the opportunity to talk about the Flamenco festival. I have the utmost respect for you, and for your contribution to this art.
To Rosario Ancer – http://www.flamencorosario.org/ - thank you for our several e-mail and telephone exchanges. It is always a pleasure to speak with you, and I hope that we will be able to collaborate with our festivals in the near future.
To Veronica Maguire – http://www.almadeespena.com/ – thank you for being part of the 2008 Toronto International Flamenco Festival. I was happy to have had the opportunity to finally meet you, and it was great working with you. I wish you, Harry and Gareth, the utmost success.
To Pirouz – http://www.flamenco.ca/ – thank you for doing so much for spreading the word of Flamenco in Canada, and for the great online support
To Jill Turnbridge – http://www.flamencodelmar.com/ – thank you for our recent talk, your open-mindedness in the world of Flamenco is starting to expand for the better.
To Annette Morcos – http://www.flamencocalgary.com/ – thank you Annette for our several conversations. I hope to meet you in the near future.
To Fiona Malena – http://www.fionamalena.com/ – thank you for taking the time to meet me at your last visit in Toronto. I hope to see you again very soon.
To Kari Alba – http://www.albaflamenco.com/ – thank you for speaking with me in 2008. I hope to meet you in the near future.
To Maritel Centurion – thank you for keeping in touch, and I was so happy to see you dance last year in Toronto. I was very happy to see that you were able to attend the 2008 festival.
To Claire Marchand, Juliana Pulford, and Claudia Carolina – http://www.theatreflamenco.ca/ – thank you for being the first example, of having different Canadian Flamenco artists from different part of Canada, working together. I am sure that others will follow this example in the near future.
To Kim Greene – thank you Kim for teaching in Kitchener and spreading the word about Flamenco, I know it is not always easy to teach Flamenco in the smaller cities,
To Cinta Sebastia – http://www.flamencodancelondon.com/ - thank you Cinta for spreading the word about Flamenco. I know that you are changing Flamenco in London for the better. I have always enjoyed our telephone conversations
To Maria Osende – http://www.flamencofestival.ca/ – Thank you Maria for our many conversations. I have enjoyed all of them. The Flamenco Festival Atlantic definitely helps spread the word Flamenco all over the country.
To Evelyne Benais – http://www.elvientoflamenco.com/ – Thank you Evelyne, your contribution to Flamenco in Halifax has helped make Flamenco bigger in Canada. I was sorry to find out that you were away.
To Sonia Munoz & Mariella Hernandez - http://www.torontoflamencoworkshops.com/ - thank you Sonia and Mariella, because of you we have seen some great artists here in Toronto, like Juana Amaya, and Antonio el Pipa.
To Kasandra Lea – http://www.mozaicoflamenco.com/ – thank you Kasandra for communicating with me by e-mail. I have heard that you are doing great in Vancouver. I hope that I will get a chance to meet you one day.
To James Cosman – http://www.jamescosman.com/ – thank you for having accompanied me as a guitarist in one of my performances, and thank you so much for adding a new chapter to Canadian Flamenco, beyond, dance, singing, and music.
To Jorge Miguel – http://www.jorgemiguel.com/ –thank you for having worked with me in my beginning days as a dancer, and congratulations for pursuing your own dream
To Jose Salgado - http://www.embrujoflamenco.com/ – thank you for taking a few minutes of your time to speak to me prior to the 2007 flamenco festival. It is great to know that some of the flamenco artists that are here in Toronto are able to perform their flamenco art at your restaurant.
And for the many more that I may have forgotten or have never met nor even heard about. I just want to remind you that we are all part of this great flamenco family. I know we are all making great effort to grow ourselves, our schools, and some of us to grow flamenco in general. However, I can promise you that if we all thought of ways to work together, and helping one another, our Canadian Flamenco family would expand beyond our imagination. This last sentence brings me to our next blog subject: The Power of Unity – Until next time
In thinking about the first subject for my blog, I decided to acknowledge the many (mainly Canadian) people/teachers that have affected my path as a previous flamenco dancer, as a flamenco product online sale person, and current producer of the festival.
I would also like to start with a slight warning because as soon as we start naming names, there is no doubt that I will omit, unintentionally, some names. If you are one of those that you think I omitted and you know that you affected my path, please accept my sincere apology, and understand that I will always be happy to hear from you, and will be happy to thank you in person.
Here we go
To my wife Alexandra Félix – Thank you for believing in me and sticking by me, and in joining me in this journey of the creation of the Toronto International Flamenco Festival. Thank you for our beautiful family and life together.
To my previous mentor Sue Lacher - http://www.thegeniusinside.com/ - Thank you Sue for teaching me this great art of goal setting and for having been a great personal mentor to me.
To my first ever Flamenco teacher – Elena La Comadre - http://www.arteflamenco.com/ – thank you for the two and a half year that I spent at your school and for helping me find the meaning of Flamenco, and it is in your school that the desire for http://www.theartofexpression.com/ was created
To Valeria Scannura – http://www.ritmoflamenco.ca/ – thank you for showing me proper footwork.
To Esmeralda Enrique – http://www.flamencos.net/ – thank you for all the classes that I have taken from you and this is where I learned the importance of Contra Tiempo. Thank you for bringing the many great artists to Toronto in the last several years. A special thanks for having accepted my invitation to perform at the 2008 Toronto International Flamenco Festival.
To Carmen Romero – http://www.carmenromero.ca/ – thank you for helping me understand the deeper meaning of Flamenco, and for encouraging me to go to Spain. Thank you also, for including me as a dancer in one of your own creations at the fringe festival in 1999, and for your amazing innovative mind in Canadian Flamenco. Thank you also for having accepted my invitation to perform at the 2008 Toronto International Flamenco festival.
To Miguel de La Bastide – http://www.carmenromero.ca/ – thank you for having accompanied me as a guitarist in my second soloist performance, even when I was still very new in this art, and thank you for being part of the 2008 festival.
To Hali Dale – thank you for having work with me as a dancer, and from you I learned, the importance of dancing like a man, with the proper sharpness, and speed. Thank you also for accepting our invitation to perform at the 2009 Toronto International Flamenco Festival.
To Rita Benz - http://www.ritabcostumes.com/ - thank you Rita for making flamenco clothing in the last several years and for also volunteering at the 2007 flamenco festival.
To Tanya Bakala – http://www.missiondancecentre.com/ - thank you for introducing me to the inclusion of Flamenco in the ballet world
To Teo Morca – http://www.morca.com/ - thank you for encouraging me to attend your workshop in Bellingham, Washington
To Michael Kozak and Raija – http://www.madfordance.ca/ - thank you so much for running an independent dance studio, it is through your studio that I grew in awareness, ability, and vision for the festival.
To Paula Moreno – thank you so much for taking a few minutes of your time to speak with me in 2008. We have not formally met, but I can tell you that from the many people that I spoke to, I discovered that many of our teachers came through you. It is said, from the book, Conversations with God, that a great teacher is one that produces many masters. Without your contribution, I would have not been able to take lessons from the above teachers.
To Susan Walker – thank you Susan for your open-mindedness and friendship. I am extremely happy that you have accepted to work with us for the 2009 festival.
To Lina Moros - http://www.flamencolinamoros.com/ – thank you for taking me to my first flamenco tablao at Casa Galícía and for allowing me to take your classes, whenever I was in Montreal.
To Oscar Nieto – http://www.oscarnieto.com/ – thank you Oscar – I first met you at my trip in Bellingham, Washington, and I had heard you sang Flamenco Cante in English. I felt that was very innovative. Thank you also for meeting me in 2008 and for giving me the opportunity to talk about the Flamenco festival. I have the utmost respect for you, and for your contribution to this art.
To Rosario Ancer – http://www.flamencorosario.org/ - thank you for our several e-mail and telephone exchanges. It is always a pleasure to speak with you, and I hope that we will be able to collaborate with our festivals in the near future.
To Veronica Maguire – http://www.almadeespena.com/ – thank you for being part of the 2008 Toronto International Flamenco Festival. I was happy to have had the opportunity to finally meet you, and it was great working with you. I wish you, Harry and Gareth, the utmost success.
To Pirouz – http://www.flamenco.ca/ – thank you for doing so much for spreading the word of Flamenco in Canada, and for the great online support
To Jill Turnbridge – http://www.flamencodelmar.com/ – thank you for our recent talk, your open-mindedness in the world of Flamenco is starting to expand for the better.
To Annette Morcos – http://www.flamencocalgary.com/ – thank you Annette for our several conversations. I hope to meet you in the near future.
To Fiona Malena – http://www.fionamalena.com/ – thank you for taking the time to meet me at your last visit in Toronto. I hope to see you again very soon.
To Kari Alba – http://www.albaflamenco.com/ – thank you for speaking with me in 2008. I hope to meet you in the near future.
To Maritel Centurion – thank you for keeping in touch, and I was so happy to see you dance last year in Toronto. I was very happy to see that you were able to attend the 2008 festival.
To Claire Marchand, Juliana Pulford, and Claudia Carolina – http://www.theatreflamenco.ca/ – thank you for being the first example, of having different Canadian Flamenco artists from different part of Canada, working together. I am sure that others will follow this example in the near future.
To Kim Greene – thank you Kim for teaching in Kitchener and spreading the word about Flamenco, I know it is not always easy to teach Flamenco in the smaller cities,
To Cinta Sebastia – http://www.flamencodancelondon.com/ - thank you Cinta for spreading the word about Flamenco. I know that you are changing Flamenco in London for the better. I have always enjoyed our telephone conversations
To Maria Osende – http://www.flamencofestival.ca/ – Thank you Maria for our many conversations. I have enjoyed all of them. The Flamenco Festival Atlantic definitely helps spread the word Flamenco all over the country.
To Evelyne Benais – http://www.elvientoflamenco.com/ – Thank you Evelyne, your contribution to Flamenco in Halifax has helped make Flamenco bigger in Canada. I was sorry to find out that you were away.
To Sonia Munoz & Mariella Hernandez - http://www.torontoflamencoworkshops.com/ - thank you Sonia and Mariella, because of you we have seen some great artists here in Toronto, like Juana Amaya, and Antonio el Pipa.
To Kasandra Lea – http://www.mozaicoflamenco.com/ – thank you Kasandra for communicating with me by e-mail. I have heard that you are doing great in Vancouver. I hope that I will get a chance to meet you one day.
To James Cosman – http://www.jamescosman.com/ – thank you for having accompanied me as a guitarist in one of my performances, and thank you so much for adding a new chapter to Canadian Flamenco, beyond, dance, singing, and music.
To Jorge Miguel – http://www.jorgemiguel.com/ –thank you for having worked with me in my beginning days as a dancer, and congratulations for pursuing your own dream
To Jose Salgado - http://www.embrujoflamenco.com/ – thank you for taking a few minutes of your time to speak to me prior to the 2007 flamenco festival. It is great to know that some of the flamenco artists that are here in Toronto are able to perform their flamenco art at your restaurant.
And for the many more that I may have forgotten or have never met nor even heard about. I just want to remind you that we are all part of this great flamenco family. I know we are all making great effort to grow ourselves, our schools, and some of us to grow flamenco in general. However, I can promise you that if we all thought of ways to work together, and helping one another, our Canadian Flamenco family would expand beyond our imagination. This last sentence brings me to our next blog subject: The Power of Unity – Until next time
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