Flamenco Music and Dance: A Cultural Staple to Spain

Flamenco dancer and musicians pictured in Las Tablas, a flamenco table in Madrid, Spain. Image captured by Lovelyn Mashave

Flamenco music and dance is one of Spain's most loved and celebrated cultural staples.

Flamenco music is full of soul and beautifully reverberating melodies and harmonies; and the flamenco dance intentionally pairs elegance with strength. It is a highly passionate art form. Sitting in the audiece at a flamenco music and dance show, one can feel its passion with every melody, every step, clap and twirl by each performing artist.

The movement of their hips. The twirling of the frills at the bottom of their dresses (traje de flameco), the tapping of their shoes on the floor.

The clapping of the palmas which puncuates and accentuates song and dance. Amplifying and emphasising passion.

It mesmerises, pulls, and infiltrates every sense with infectious passion.

One breezy evening in the quaint village of Jerez de la Frontera, while on my first trip to the south of Spain, aka Andalusia; from where flamenco originates. We booked a table for two in a small establishment where flamenco shows are intimate, and, cameras are forbidden. These establishments are known as tablaos. Tablao being a term derived from the wooden floor boards making up the stage on which the shows are performed.

This was the first time I was attending a Flamenco show. The perfect occasion to be introduced to this beautiful piece of culture; a blend of Andalusian, Romani and Arab traditions. That night I sat in that tablao with its dimmed lights and silent audience. Occasionally calling out, "olé!", the way one might click their fingers at a spoken word event. As I sipped on a glass of smooth spanish rioja and munched on tasty green olives, my heart strings were pulled at, and they obliged. The music drew me in. With every note. The harmonies. The rythm. Their musicality. I was in awe!

I too, shouted, "olé!", a few times. Seemingly morphing into one of the locals. Feeling like I belonged.

The atmosphere was palpable. Such is the nature of Flamenco. You feel the words, the music, the PASSION. You feel it under your skin. Its meaning, its beauty, its depth.

This was April 2018, and, now, 7 years later, I still get goosebumps remembering the experience of the first live flamenco show I attended in Andalusia, Spain.

Music continued to be a big part of my experience of Andalusian culture during that trip. We had a few days planned for Sevilla; and Sevilla had vibrant performances to offer. Our time in Sevilla coincided with the town's popular Feria de Abril. An annual spring festival celebrated over a whole week. A colourful and vibrant show of Sevillian culture.

Picture horse drawn carriages; long, colourful body hugging dresses which let out into elaborate sometimes grandiose frills mid leg as they flare out towards the ankles. Elaborate traditional outfits. Music. Dance. Festive marquee tents where food and drink are plenty. A blend of generations. It's like a grand stylish party where traditional meets modern for have a harmonious co-existence. Night and day. Neither wanting to part from the other. So they carry on until their legs can no longer carry them and their voices have given out.

It is a BIG DEAL for which locals pull all the stops. You dress up and show up! It is impressive to witness, and exciting to be a part of. People prepare for it, religiously. The joy and excitement of it all is infectious; the spirit of community, delicious food, gorgeous outfits, skilful dance and palpable music. It's a must do for anyone who travels to experience and appreciate culture.

The music and dance at a feria de abril is called Sevillanas. It is often mistaken for flamenco music, as the two sound similar. Sevillanas music and dance incorporates some aesthetics and elements from flamenco music and dance, but essentially, the two are not the same thing. There is a difference, and it lies in the essence of each. The later expresses deep passion, while the former expresses exuberance.

During the week of feria de abril, Plaza España Sevilla is often a point of congregation with crowds coming together in groups to sing, dance sevillanas and be merry. Families, friends, and anyone from the community join circles and battle out their seviallanas skills until their legs are tired. The young, the old, babies in strollers; everyone is welcome into these festivities. smiles as big as their mouths can stretch. Pure joy!

I feel quite lucky to have witnessed it with my own eyes! In person! If I get another chance, I will be sure to wear a traje de flamenco; that's the name of the elaborate dresses women wear to the fair.

Today (11 May 2025) in the Andalusian town of Sevilla, they wrap up this year's Feria de Abril.

If you wish to visit Sevilla at least once in your life, plan for your trip to coincide with the feria de abril. Which, as was the case this year, sometimes falls in the month of May. The feria is traditionally held two weeks after Holy Week. So for 2026, the dates are likely to be 20 to 26th April. You need an invitation to be in a marquee, but you can also enjoy the festival without going inside one; which is how we did it. The main entrance is open to all. There is also the option to reserve a spot in the municipal tent. Your hotel will have information about that, depending on which hotel you book for your stay.

No copyright infringement intended on any of the music used in this article.