Sala Juglar – Flamenco Sundays

Sala Juglar

Calle de Lavapìes, 37

Metro: Lavapìes

Price: 7 euros

Flamenco Sundays at 22.00h

Spanish Rites of Initiation – Your First Flamenco Performance

Seeing a Flamenco show is one of the important milestones in your immersion of Spanish culture. As a stereotypical representation of Spain, it exists right up there with bullfights, the siesta, and ham, but it also exists as a soulful artistic expression with a rich history untainted by modern prejudices.

It may not be something you find yourself longing to go and see, but while in Spain, you must pay your respects and witness a Flamenco show. If you’re in Madrid, a good place to do this is at Sala Juglar in the colorful neighborhood of Lavapìes.

The place, from the outside, is unassuming. They host a variety of concerts as well as weekly Flamenco shows that take place Sunday nights.

I found myself there, a few beers in, sitting down in the dimly lit back room awaiting my first Flamenco show. The routine began – the crowd filters in and sits down, the performers take their places on stage. The guitar starts, initiating the act, followed by the singer. The dancers, who’ve been clapping, start to take their turns dancing.

Dressed in long gowns, they recall the Classic Andalusian woman in all her mysticism and charm. The expression in their eyes is intimidating; their faces are somewhere between pain and glory, and their movement is indescribable.

When their individual turns are through, they pair up, dancing together while more animated members of the audience yell “Ole!” At the end of each song, the music gains intensity and at the final moment, the women strike their poses, like colorful statues frozen in time.

Each person is essential to the overall show, and a feeling of improvisation exists, as if their interaction is so natural they needn’t plan.

If you choose to see a Flamenco show at Sala Juglar, you’ll be granted with a beautiful experience that will remind you of why you came to Spain.