New Etsy Shop

I have art and earrings inspired by my latin, Spanish and Italian roots.  Most art is in watercolor and acrylic and the earrings are in wood or paper.  Thank you for stopping by. 

 Nos vamos pa la feria.  Memories of my past life.

 Festival de Jerez 2022

Festival de Jerez

Feb 17 - Mar 5 2022

For more up to date information please visit Festival de Jerez

17 febrero
Ballet Nacional de España
Centenario Antonio Ruiz Soler

18 febrero
Recordando a José Manuel Caballero Bonald
Una copa con Pepe

Ballet Nacional de España
Centenario Antonio Ruiz Soler

19 febrero
Recordando a José Manuel Caballero Bonald
Una paseo con Pepe

Lucía Álvarez «La Piñona»
Abril

Víctor Monge «Serranito»
Como un sueño. Gira de despedida de los escenarios

Compañía Mercedes Ruiz
Segunda piel
-Estreno en España

20 febrero
Macarena López
Reverso
-Estreno Absoluto

José Cortés «Pansequito»

Compañía de Danza Flamenca Carmen Cortés
¡Gira, corazón!, bailando con Lorca en la Edad de Plata
-Estreno en Andalucía

21 febrero
Ganadores del Concurso de Turín de la Frontera 2020
-Estreno absoluto

María Moreno
More (no) More

22 febrero
Juan Fernández
De los Puertos 
-Estreno Absoluto

Ana Morales
En la cuerda floja

23 febrero
Salvador Gutiérrez
11 Bordones

Manuela Carpio
La fuente de mi inspiración
-Estreno absoluto

24 febrero
Beatriz Morales – Agujetas Chico
Flamenco sin sulfitos
-Estreno absoluto

Alfonso Losa
Flamenco: espacio creativo
-Estreno en Andalucía

25 febrero
Sara Jiménez
Adioses
-Estreno absoluto

Rocío Molina
Vuelta a uno. Extracto de trilogía sobre la guitarra
-Estreno en Andalucía

María Terremoto
Terremoto, un siglo de cante

26 febrero
Olga Pericet
El avance de la leona

Ángel Rojas Dance Project
Ser Baile. Capítulo 1 Triología. Geografía Flamenca del Pensamiento

Farruquito
Farruquito

Anabel Valencia
Frutos de mi voz

27 febrero
Sara Cano Compañía de Danza
Mujer de pie

Rafael Campallo
Puro

Manuel Liñán
Pie de hierro

Luis «El Zambo»
Aroma a Jerez

28 febrero
Compañía Musa Carmen Fernández
La Rosa Mutábile
-Estreno absoluto

Daniel Casares
Guitarrísimo

Manuela Carrasco
Aires de mujer

1 marzo
Juan Requena
Cenachería

Compañía Javier Barón
Entre mujeres

2 marzo
Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía
El maleficio de la mariposa de Federico García Lorca

3 marzo
Rosario Toledo con Javier Galiana y Alba Haro
Playeras
-Estreno absoluto

Antonio Molina ‘El Choro’
#SiDiosKiere
-Estreno absoluto

4 marzo
Joselito Acedo
Triana D.F. (Distrito Flamenco)

Mercedes de Córdoba
¡Si, quiero!- Estreno absoluto

5 marzo
Final abierta del taller de coreografía de Javier Latorre

Antonio «El Pipa»
Bodas de plata. XXV Aniversario
Estreno absoluto

Estévez/ Paños y CIA
La confluencia

SIMOF 2022

It is here again!( Happy dance)

Flamenca/Feria fashion show in Seville.  

for more information go to SIMOF2022

Fun in drawing and illustrating Feria

Drawing Feria, dancers, friends and Andalusia in general…

Before Covid 19, other family priorities had me move away from the south of Spain, but it has always stayed with me, it is part of who I am.  There is a frase in Cadiz “El gaditano nace donde le da la gana”, and I means that you can be born somewhere else but if you feel you belong in Cadiz, it is your right (more or less, very loose translation). 

So I started drawing just to stay busy during hurricane Irma (2017).  I knew the power lines would fail and the lack of electricity would makes days very slow and I needed a new hobby anyway.  Then I moved again and then came Covid 19, so it was a good thing I kept myself entertained.  Jumping to the present time now I draw many memories from Andalusia.  Slowly I started buying pencils, crayons, watercolors, brushes and now I have a room full of crafty things to express my ideas, my trips and memories.  This is my way of remembering Feria, my friends left behind and a way of thanking them for the good times.  

Everyday is a new challenge to draw, paint and post my drawing on Instagram.  That took a lot of courage.  At the beginning I just would not do it, now, I don’t care, I post for myself, to keep a record of my evolution as an artist (big word). 

One of my first drawings with my feria buddy, Ana.  

We both play the castanets and were inseparable while in the feria. 

Feria fashion, this is inspired by the feria catwalks during the first months of the year.  Beginning in mid January, feria fashion shows are a must.  Here you can see the trends for fabrics, compliments, flowers and hairdos.

Inspired by dancers in Jerez.

Watercolor

Now on top of watercolor I am learning digital painting which is quite difficult but so much fun.  Some of the designs I have uploaded to print on demand site such as Redbubble and Society6, if you’d like to peek.  Thanks for stopping by.  

Jerez - Viernes Flamenco 2019

At the Alcázar of Jerez

Friday, July 12
Felipa del Moreno,
Guitar: Manuel Valencia.
Percussion: Luis de Perikín,
Palmas: Manuel Cantarote, Juan Diego Valencia and Juan Grande,
Piano: la Reina Gitana.

Friday, July 19
Part I 
Peña Flamenca La Buena Gente,
Cante: Alfonso Carpio ‘Mijita’,
Guitar:José Gálvez,Vocals: Estefanía Zarzana and Sandra Zarzana,
Palmas: José Rubichi and Carlos Grilo,
Dancer: Marta Carpio.
Part II
Cante: Pedro ‘El Granaino’
Guitar: Diego AmayaPalmas: Manuel Vinaza and José Peña.


Friday,26 de July,
Centro Cultural Flamenco Don Antonio Chacón presenting
Cante: Antonio Malena, Tomás Rubichi, Alfonso Núñez ‘El Purili’, Coral de los Reyes, Ana de los Reyes and Eva Rubichi
Dance: Rocío Martín
Guitar: Domingo Rubichi and Ismael Heredia
Palmas: Ali de la Tota and José Rubichi.

Friday, August 02
Peña Flamenca Los Cernícalos presenting
Cante: Luis Moneo, Nano de Jerez, Carmen Grilo, David Carpio, Pedro ‘Niño de la Fragua’, Manuel Moneo Carrasco, José ‘El Berenjeno’ and Manuel Fernández ‘El Gordo’,
Dance: Mª José Franco
Guitar: Juan Manuel Moneo and José de Pura
Special guests: Ana María López, Pepe ‘El Zorri’ and José Rubichi.

Friday, August 09
Tomasa ‘La Macanita’ with guest Fernando Soto.
Guitar: Manuel Valencia,
Palmas: Chicharito and Manuel Macano,
Piano: José Zarzana,
Harp: Ana Crismán,
Percussion: Carlos MerinoVocals: Mila Méndez, May, Rocío and María del Cañero.

To buy tickets click here.

 We Love Flamenco 2019

You know that spring is fast approaching in the south of Spain when you see an explosion of colors and ruffles.  The first fashion show(s) for feria presented us with designs evoking mother earth and cosmic vibes.  There were many romantic and classic styles too.  New this year, were dresses with geometric patterns, lines, triangles, houndstooth, and of course dots, huge dots!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rosa Pedroche (@rosa_pedroche) on Feb 4, 2019 at 7:12am PST

Dresses by designer Mónica Méndez showed us big bold dots over jewel tones.  These were some of my favorites.  They were classic with a modern twist, most had v necklines, but a few caught my attention with high necks covered with lots of chockers.  Just beautiful.

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A post shared by Monica Mendez (@monicamendez_modaflamenca) on Jan 23, 2019 at 6:27am PST

Other shows presented us with very simple dresses and skirts with just a single ruffle swirling up the dress.  Very elegant and refreshing.  Ladies, this year there are lots of skirts, which is great news if you are worried about your outfit on your instagram feed, change the blouse and you have a new look. Problem solved. 

Spotted many floral dresses, very romantic, like a Botticelli painting. I even think some had empress waistlines.  

For the graphic dresses, designers used flowers and polka dots, to balance the lines on them.

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A post shared by Úrsula Sánchez (@ursulasanchezdesignandcouture) on Jan 31, 2019 at 6:18am PST

There were monochromatic dresses, white on white dots, and black on black dots.  Everything but boring.  Skirt lengths were pretty much the same as other years, above the shoe and ruffles came in many shapes and sizes.  However, the skirts seemed looser (still tight, but less) allowing for easier movement and more comfort. 

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A post shared by We Love Flamenco (@pasarela_weloveflamenco) on Jan 19, 2019 at 3:00pm PST

Shawls were present in some shows, but they weren't the main accessory.  The show stoppers were the extra large ones, saved for special occasions and weddings.  Accessories are big, layered, evoking summer, corals, like a Sicilian vacation or an Italian summer.  Others fantasized with yesterday's Cuba and its people, some dresses brought memories of  "Celia Cruz", the uber salsa queen.  One in particular design, a model all in white from head to toe, transported me to the city of Miami, where many times I have seen these Cuban ladies, head wraps and long dresses in white, by the beach, with offerings to the water Gods.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rocio Olmedo Ramos (@rocioolmedoramos) on Jan 19, 2019 at 11:14pm PST

I leave you here with Pol Nuñdz fashion show at We Love Flamenco 2019 in Seville.

Happy New Year!!

SIMOF FASHION Show, Seville
photo credit: Janelle Burton

Here are the first fashion shows of 2019:

We Love Flamenco (WLF) fashion show. 
When: January 16 - 20 
Where: Salón Real of Hotel Alfonso XIII, Sevilla

Buy Tickets

Viva by WLF
When: January 23 - 26
Where: Casino de la Exposición, Seville

Buy Tickets

SIMOF
When: Feb 7 - 10
Where: FIBES convention center in Seville

by the way, if you are from Rota, you will be delighted that the 2 top dancers in your town will be performing in SIMOF.  Laura Pirri (Feb 7) and Ofelia Marquez (Feb 9)

Buy SIMOF Tickets

Pasarela Flamenca of Jerez
When: Feb 14 - 17
Where: Bodegas González Byass in Jerez

Buy Jerez Tickets

Feria Posters 2018

Carteles de Feria 2018

I will be adding more as they become available. Schedule of Feria is located on the right margin of the home page.

Seville

Rota

El Puerto de Santa Maria

Jerez de la Frontera

For Jerez Feria Program click here

Cordoba

Granada

Sanlúcar de Barrameda

Puerto Real

Chiclana de la Frontera

San Fernando

SIMOF 2018 SCHEDULE

SIMOF SCHEDULE AND LIST OF DESIGNERS 

For every taste and size, 1500 dresses and styles on the catwalk until February 4th. To buy tickets here.

Thursday 1 Feb
11:30 Emprende Lunares (2017 finalists)

16:30 Lina

17:30 Aurora Gaviño

18:30 Alejandro Santizo & Luis Fernández

19:30 Pilar Vera

20:30 Ángeles Copete & Álex de la Huerta

21: 30 Patricia Bazarot & Pedro Béjar

Friday Feb 2
11:30 New designers contest

16:30 José Galvañ & Alonso Cózar

17:30 Consolación Ayala & Carmen Raimundo

18:30 María José Blay & Ana Morón

19:30 Verónica de la Vega & José Raposo

20:30 Antonio Gutiérrez

21:30 Rosapeula & Javier García

Saturday Feb 3

11:30 Sonibel Curvi with Adelina Infante (plus size)

12:30 Andrew Pocrid

13:30 Yolanda Rivas & MM Garrido Accessories

16:00 Sara de Benítez

17:00 Mof & Art

18:00 Carmen Vega

19:00 Loli Vera

20:00 Sonibel & Chocolate accessories

21:00 Molina Moda

22:00 Pilar Rubio

Sunday Feb 4

11:30 Yolanda Moda Flamenca

12:30 Atelier Rima

13:30 Teresa Ninu Atelier & De Lunares & Volantes

14:30 Calandria & Mayka Santos

16:30 Miriam Galvín & Ernesto Sillero

17:30 Hermanas Serrano

18:30 Hita & Arcos & Inés de la Fuente

19:30 Leticia Lorenzo & Francisco Tamaral

20.30 Ballet Flamenco of Andalusia

First Show of the Year 2018

Happy New year y'all. This week in Andalusia, ruffles and flowers.  Spring came early in Seville... 48 collections over a 1000 dresses! That is a lot of ruffles! 

We Love Flamenco 2018 the first Flamenca fashion Show of the Year! here is the schedule:

Wednesday 10

19:30 – Rocío Peralta

20:30 – Foronda

21:30 – Mof & Art

Thrursday 11

17:30 – Daniel Robles

18:30 – Ángeles Fernández

19:30 – Santana Diseños

20:30 – Flamenca Pol Núñez

Friday 12

13:00 – Fundación Sandra Ibarra

16:30 – Rafa Valverde

17:30 – Lola Azahares

18:30 – Marco Zapata

19:30 – Fabiola

20:30 – Rocío Olmedo

21:30 – Pablo Retamero & Juanjo Bernal

Saturday 13

11:00 – Aranega

12:00 – Pepe Fernández Sevillanía

13:00 – Ángeles Verano

14:00 – Ángela y Adela

15:30 – José Luis Zambonino

16:30 – Carmen Acedo

17:30 – El Ajolí

18:30 – Pitusa Gasul

19:30 – Pepa Garrido

20:30 – Luisa Pérez

21:30 – José Hidalgo

Sunday 14

12:00 – Mercedes Dobenal

13:00 – Viviana Iorio & Nieves San Gregorio

14:00 – Ventura

16:30 – Juan Boleco

17:30 – Mónica Méndez

18:30 – Belulah

19:30 – Javier Mojarro

20:30 – Rosa Pedroche

Mango Jam, Jalea de Mango

Just a small sample of all the mango varieties.

It's mango season. The mango tree in my back yard has dropped its last pink mango of the year, but the one across the street is just beginning to ripen. Here in Miami the mangos come in all shape and sizes.  There is even a mango festival during the month of July.  According to the festival's page, there are over 220 varieties of mangos grown here in South Florida.

Growing up in the tropics, mangos were abundant.  One of my first words, as a toddler was mango. I could recognize a mango tree from any other tree. Around my neighborhood, almost every house had at least one mango tree, but it wasn't until recently that I learned there were an infinite variety of mangos.  I do remember however, that some trees were huge with the most common mango, medium sized fruit, green with yellow cheeks, and lots of fiber. Then some other folks had a smaller, rounder kind of mango, no fibers, de bocado (morsel, melted in your mouth) my mom's favorite.  Finally there was the manga (not the Japanese comics) but the largest mango variety.  A manga is about double or triple the size of a regular mango, with pink checks hanging from a little tree, which makes the fruit look even bigger.

Trave in time, school picture
with two mango trees in the background.

School play, photo opportunity
under two large mango trees.

During mango season, you really have to hustle.  Mango yields are generous, and  pretty soon your yard will be covered in fermenting fruit, unless you pack them in bags and give them away to friends and strangers alike.  A good way to use a whole lot of mangos is by juicing them or making jam and jalea (the thicker version of jam).  You can turn them into jam, and save them for when the season is over.  I can freeze them for the colder months when you need more vitamin C.  You could sell them, one mango goes for $1 in northern states! 

The difference between jam and a jalea is evaporation, which means longer cooking time. Mango jam is soft spoonable and jalea is shaped like a brick and can be sliced.  Both are delicious.

I love, love mango!

Mango Jam, not difficult just time consuming, but totally worth it.

Ingredients: 

• Mangos green or ripe (green will be more acid, and ripe will be more sweet)
• Sugar, as needed
• Water
• Juice of 2 or 3 Lemons or limes (optional if mangos are green)
• Large pot with lid
• Long wooden spoon for stirring
• Sterilized glass canning jars for jam, or medium sized plastic containers for the thick jalea.

Procedure:

1. Wash the mangos and cut an X on them.
2. Place mangos in the large pot.
3. Cover them with water and heat water until it boils. Lower heat and cover. Keep at a constant boil. Cook until tender. About 40 minutes to 1 hr, depending on how many mangos you have. I had about 10 -12 large mangos.
4. Once the mangos are soft, turn off the heat and let it cool. Drain.
5. Later that day or the next day, in a large bowl, with a big metal spoon, peel and scrape the mango pulp.
6. Discard seeds and peel.
7. Grab a large colander with medium weave and pass the pulp catching all the fibers. This is very important, mango fibers are like hair, very unpleasant, like eating a wig. 
8. In a large pot, add sugar (equal weight of the mango pulp, a bit less if mangos are really ripe), mango pulp 
9. Add lime juice.  
10. Cook on medium heat until it begins to bubble, be careful it sputters, stir often with large wooden spoon. 
11. When the water content has reduced significantly and the jam has thickened, remove from heat. 
12. Line up your clean sterilized glass containers if making jam, or line your larger plastic squares, if making "Jalea". 
13. Pour hot mixture into containers. 
14. Close the lids and let them cool.

These will last several weeks at room temperature, but if in doubt, once cool, keep them in the fridge, or follow instructions for canning food from a reliable source. Mine are consumed almost immediately.

Very important to remove the fibers

What a treat, you can use it as regular jam, or as a base for chutneys.  You can add hot peppers and spices and turn it into a spicy jam to go with poultry or pork.  Use it as a topping for ice cream, or cheese cake....with jalea you can slice it and spread it on toast or serve it with cheese to guests. Enjoy.

My jars with hot jam, turned upside down to sterilize air trapped in the jar.
An old trick I learned from French cooks.