The Spirit of Flamenco Flames Anew at Malaga on Wednesday Nights

I cannot admit to have a long history with Flamenco music: my few forays into this cultural art form have always consisted of looking around the venue at other customers to see if they, unlike myself, actually got it.

Malaga

Well, when we arrived at Malaga last Wednesday night at 8pm for some tapas and a dose of the The Spirit of Flameco, Spain’s most passionate and rhythmic art form I really got something. The Spirit of Flamenco consisted of two lithe female dancers, a percussionist, an elderly lady who was apparently subbing for her husband (and did most of the vocals) and two hugely talented and enthusiastic guitar players.

We ordered tapas from Malaga’s extensive menu and the lights lowered and the music started. I was transported into a place to which I have not been in a long time: a place where my imagination soared and set the tapestry. Flamenco sweeps you up and carries you along with it in an unremitting blend of strumming, singing, stomping, sensual (not to be confused with sexual) dancing, and always, that intoxicating back beat.

My untried ear was not able to discern much difference between the songs” I heard “yo te quiero” and “mi corazon” quite often but that hardly mattered. Flamenco is as much non-verbal as it is verbal. It has a body language all its own and every member of the rapturous and surprisingly young audience was left to its own and undoubtedly infinite list of conclusions.

The Spirit of Flamenco has been playing around Austin for quite some time at a variety of venues and Malaga Owner/Chef Alex Duran was smart enough to book them on Wednesday’s at Malaga. I can’t think of a better combination than the wonderful Tapas Piquillos, a glass of Malbec, and the soulful and endless energy of this thing called Flamenco. We will most definitely be back!