31/01/2026
Flamenco is a genre
“Flamenco is a genre of music and dance that originated in the Andalusian region of Spain. It is characterized by its passionate and emotional performances, combining singing (cante), dancing (baile), and guitar playing (toque). Flamenco has deep roots in the cultural history of southern Spain, influenced by various traditions, including those of the Roma (Gypsies), and is recognized as a traditional form of folk” (quoted from Copilot).
We were invited to the the Stars/ Ki Nga To The Stars Ki Ngā Whetū creative project as a Community Group.
I am going to be a little irreverent in here (we tend to do this as minorities that want to be heard): Break Dancing originates from America; Bag Pipes originate from (surprise!), the Middle East, but it’s mostly recognized for its Scottish signature; Musical Theatre originates from the Ancient Greece, as Choirs do to… there is a moment when the genre stops acting as “the country where it comes from” and moves into “the art form that it is”. The line is fine and blurry and turning into genre does not wipe out the origin of it.
Flamenco Waikato is turning 10 years old in 2026!! (round of applause). We have performed in many events during all these years, mostly Multicultural Festivals, where us, (usually) migrants, showcase what comes from the place in the world (Spain) where a few of us once lived and don’t anymore. This is where our presentation is sometimes tricky. Most of the constituents of our group are not Spanish and, quite often, don’t even speak our language, which is perfectly fine, I used to sing blues songs just copying the sounds I heard, for years.
What happens is that Flamenco has transcended the frontiers to become an international type of music, dance and attire (not to mention the attitude attached to it, nothing different that those who love metal or reggae); it has been embraced by anyone who listens (the music) and watches (the dance) and gets grabbed by the rhythms and even the clothing (there is a whole Flamenco Fashion industry out there), which, since 1847 _when the tradition turned into genre_, have evolved and followed numerous trends and twists of its codes, just like Opera, Jazz or Rock & Roll.
Flamenco Waikato has seen professionals of the genre coming not only from Spain but also from Japan, Australia, the Netherlands, France and even NZ Māori. People who have discovered the compass and have fallen in love with it enough to open their hearts to it and study hard to become professionals of it.
As a Community Leader who has worked for a decade in the migration and diversity sector, I can tell that being part of the /kingawhetu performance was a step forward in our migrant experience. This was a Waikato event, for locals, not for foreigners trying to connect to other foreigners and a pinch of New Zealanders. Even if joining as “Community Groups” we were able to be included as Artists/Creatives, as well as the “not born in this country” status.
Belonging is a delicate concept. We tend to act as if we just belong as one of the parts of us that we are, forgetting all of the other qualities of us that also need a place and a community of its own. We are foreigners, it is true, as well as we are artists, as well as we are professionals of certain vocations, as well as we are members of groups that connect with our values, our physical characteristics or our whanau traditions and spiritual practices. I don’t want to choose one category to belong but belong to a hundred groups, if necessary, each one representing a part of me or us. I want to break the limits that we introduce to ourselves, sabotaging our own lives and making them much less interesting by conditioning the ways we connect with the many others.
I am not rejecting the Spanish roots of Flamenco, more the opposite, I am inviting anyone interested in what someone very well defined during our fabulous rehearsals: “find the inner Spaniard on you”, expanding the word to a concept rather than a passport holding necessity. Release your inner powers of feeling self-empowered, be brave, unafraid of messing your hair in your fiery expression of passion, be irreverent!!!
I want to thank and congratulate the production team of this superb show, not only for the undeniable work leading to a sound success (all the many reviews speak for themselves) but for the intentional integration of all components of any groups that create as both unique and as part of a whole thing, where we just felt a part of, as equals. Not a small matter.
I want to acknowledge a vision that, in the beginnings of the journey, couldn’t be fully explained in a run sheet but defined as a wide idea that would take form as we navigated it and wished for the people to swim as the flow made it real, blindly at times. No big dream comes without big risks. It was beautiful to experience the teamwork as the rehearsal’s days unfolded into final shows with standing ovations.
I will treasure this experience forever and wear the badge of “part of the first ever performers” at the BNZ Theatrewith pride.
Creative Waikato
Missing our Libby in these photos, she had to run to not only be a Flamenca but also a musician. Too much talent!
