Ole Flamenco

January 1, 2011

Gr 3-5-Ancona turns his attention to flamenco in a photo essay about its history, technique, traditions, and performance. He features young students and performers of Flamenco's Next Generation, a Santa Fe group, and records their rehearsal solos and studio training. A discussion of Gypsy origins of the dance and its European development in southern Spain is included. Flamenco is presented as a changing, "living" art, incorporating the rhythms and styles of other cultures. Its three main elements-song, dance, and music-are each explained as are the performance of beat or rhythms, palmas (rhythmic hand clapping), flamenco guitar, cajon (percussive instrument), zapateado (footwork), hand positions, castanets, costuming, and facial expressions. The book's strength lies with the balance of maps, text, and colorful photographs that emphasize the joy of music through performance and family tradition. A general purchase for all libraries.-Mary Elam, Learning Media Services Plano ISD, TX

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