Bay Area Flamenco presents ZAMBOMBA GITANA
A special flamenco holiday celebration from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain!
December 6, 8pm
ZAMBOMBA GITANA will feature an ensemble of flamenco musicians and dancers from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain including:
José Gálvez "El Duende"
"El Pelé"
Angelita Agujetas
María "Chacha" Bermúdez
Antonio de Jerez
Kina Méndez
Luis de la Tota
The Zambomba Gitana de Jerez is a flamenco version of an Andalusian holiday celebration: La Zambomba, where friends, family and neighbors gather to sing holiday songs known as villancicos. In Jerez de la Frontera the zambomba has been embraced by the Gypsy comunity who have adapted the traditional villancicos to flamenco forms, especially the bulerias.
Traditionally the zambomba is held outdoors, often in a plaza around a small bonfire in a metal barrel. The whole community gathers and forms a chorus to sing and dance all night long while sharing wine, anisette and holiday sweets. The basic instrument is the zambomba which is made out of a clay vessel covered with some sort of thin material. In the center of the covering a long cane is secured which produces a deep sound when rubbed with the hand. In Jerez the Zambombas are unmistakably flamenco, yet they are significantly different from other flamenco fiestas. There is an important element of participation in a zambomba, where everyone sings or plays an instrument and most songs have choruses which are sung by everyone. Now a days it is common for flamenco peñas and/or families to present a zambomba on stage during the holidays. These performances strive to maintain the same feel as the more informal outdoor events: both professionals and amateur community members participate singing flamenco-style villancicos and taking turns dancing bulerias.
For additional dates go to www.bayareaflamenco.org