In truth, I was more interested in the personality of this legendary woman - she, at 92 years of age, had crossed the ocean, flying from America to Riga to meet with dancers in Latvia. Still supple and sprightly enough. Another insight I took away particularly for myself: if you're meeting a legend, don't expect anything superhuman, or disappointment will follow.
While today some were making a scene in Pārdaugava, brandishing a neighbouring country's symbols and St. George ribbons, the fiery rhythms of Spain were ringing out at Kalnciems Quarter and the outdoor stage was resounding with the rhythmic stamping of flamenco dancers. Here are a few photo moments and videos from the Spain Day event.
Beginners were lucky, as the classes took place under the open sky, on a sun-drenched lawn, with the option of dancing barefoot - the latter mainly to avoid treading on a partner's toes. The atmosphere was very relaxed, and a beginner with no experience didn't feel in any way excluded or critically judged. Even if in some classes there wasn't much to learn, they still gave a small taste of the dances themselves.
We were pleasantly surprised by the excellent organisation of the event, the attendance, the modern lighting effects, and the live music backdrop, which always lends an event a certain charm. Since we had come to the event primarily as supporters of the dancers, we focused more on and captured on video and in photos the many and varied dance styles - Bollywood Indian dances, belly dances, flamenco, Gypsy dances, and break dance.
For the second time, there was an opportunity to attend the New Earth project concert of Indian dance teacher Premal Madina at Artelis, held on the evening of 12 May. This time, alongside Indian dances of various styles, it was also possible to watch Sufi whirling and listen to the sounds of the sitar. The event's attendees were also treated to a variety of Eastern teas. A photo and video glimpse of the concert.
In honour of International Dance Day, the Great Dance Parade was held in Riga for the first time, bringing together representatives of various dance styles. A photo and video glimpse of the event.
The concert consisted of two parts: in the first, audiences could watch classical Indian dances, and in the second, enjoy lively Bollywood rhythms. The dance reflected the basic elements - earth, fire, water, air - as well as the power of feminine energy, governed by the goddess Tara, along with love and the emotions that accompany this feeling: sadness, joy, longing.
Returning home from the concert, we found that 1,500 shots had been saved to the camera's memory. Some time was needed to choose the best from the good and the very best from the best. The girls' costumes and graceful poses outdid one another - but judge and evaluate for yourselves in the photo gallery below.
The Duende flamenco club's dancers performed various flamenco styles - tangos, seguirias, tientos, alegrias, tanguillo, caracoles, guajiras, rumba, sevillanas. There were also guest dancers Sofija with a flamenco farruca and Anda with a contemporary dance improvisation. Alternating with Spanish rhythms, Argentine tango was also performed, and audiences could watch the sinuous tango dance steps in the performance of two couples - Kārlis and Dace, Aigars and Ginta.
A small glimpse of the DUENDE flamenco dance club concert "Baile y emociones", which took place on 28 May 2011. First part of the overview. Personalities.
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