Sol y Sombra Spanish Dance Company

Last year I  started Spanish Flamenco dance lessons at the Sol y Sombra Spanish Company & School of Dance - a group of dancers with ages ranging from early 30s to 70 who love to dance. On Saturday night, along with other cultural groups, we performed at the free family concert at the Bunbury Multicultural Festival (Western Australia). The Multicultural group is a wonderful supporter for people of other nationalities coming to live and work in our city and the night is a fabulous evening of entertainment which showcases the diverse multi-cultural environment in which we live.  I love hearing the music and seeing the dances of other nationalities.

I danced in one of the three dances that Sol y Sombra performed. It was my first full scale public performance. Flamenco is certainly not easy to learn and I sincerely thank the ladies and gent at Sol y Sombra for their amazing support to me as a newbie dancer. Sol y Sombra put on a fantastic  performance of three different types of Flamenco styles which were well received by the crowd.                               'Fantastico'

When I was a child I wished I could go to ballet and tap classes like my friend Anna. And now many years later I am going to dance classes. Sometimes it takes a while to get the things you wish for.
Here we are at dance class in the dance room at the Bunbury Regional Art Gallery - 

Below are two mosaics of images from rehearsal last week when we were practising on the stage where we performed - that is my teacher Nicole in the second set of images. And yes Pete does dress up for the performance. The red lace skirts and gold collars are stunning. 

All these images were taken with manual settings on my camera - another new skill I have just started to learn!

Below is an image from Saturday night. When my teacher saw the pic on Facebook she asked me how I managed to get a camera on stage. LOL. This pic was taken during the first dance which I wasn't a part of - the Overture from Carmen - very dramatic. I was sitting on stage as one of the "cafe" people stage props. Tricky to get a snap when you are trying to not be noticed doing so!

And a quote from Ruth Tearle - 

"Harmony is about being with people who play your kind of tune".

Have you taking up a new skill this past year? Do you like to dance? 
Thank you for stopping by. I hope you have enjoyed this little look into dance practise. I look forward to hearing from you.

I am linking up to Mosaic Monday and Our World Tuesday and Travel Photo Thursday - please click on the links to see the wonderful work of other contributors

Have a wonderful week. 

You might also like - 

Spanish dancing
 A weekend of lunch, gardens, music and dance

Spanish Flamenco dancing

After two very difficult and emotional weeks, it was wonderful to get back to my Spanish Flamenco dance classes last week and be enveloped by the sound, colour, movement and vibrancy of a gypsy dance.

The class you see here is the advanced class. They are getting ready for a performance in August.
Spanish dancing is not easy - in fact it is very difficult to learn. I am in the beginners class. At the moment I am trying to get my head around the steps for the "Sevillanas"dance. My teacher assures me that it takes about a year before Spanish dancing finally "clicks" in your brain! You certainly can't think about "life" while you are concentrating on what your feet and hands are doing!

 Canon G11. Straight out a camera, dance studio light, no tripod, hand held.

Last week I was given a wonderful book called "Blackboards, Bubbles and Cappuccinos". Written by Ruth Tearle. Not just a novel, but an inspirational book encouraging you to follow your own unique path. With the book came a little pack of cards of quotes. Each day I pull out one. Today's said - 

We are born to be creative, to do, to risk, to shine our own light. 

So here is my image to go with the quote

  

I call this image below "the dance class". Taken at my Spanish Flamenco dance class a couple of months ago.  I know there is a lot of blur happening, but I rather like it and the blur projects the feeling of fast movement.  Processed in Elements with Radlabs "Grandma's Tap Shoes" & "Vario saturation". I rather like the antique look of the colour. The dance classes are held in the dance room of the Art Gallery - a former convent. I love the feel of this classical old building.

Thank you for stopping by. I look forward to and appreciate your comments.

Take care and have a wonderful week.

You can find out more about Ruth Tearle and  "Blackboards, Bubbles and Cappuccinos" by clicking here - Change Designs

I am linking up to Mosaic Monday at Little Red House - to see the posts from Mary and other wonderful participants, please click on the link here - Mosaic Monday

You may also like ( click here) - Flamenco!