On Friday evening, 6 November, we attended the concert of what is now the 10th world music festival at the Great Guild. The evening was cool - just right for conjuring up in the imagination the landscapes of the southern lands from which the performed music came. The overall impression: a lovely event that left no room for boredom, but allowed one to discover and enjoy something more from the culture and art of various peoples. See VIDEO from the event.
Phantasmagoria in several episodes. Men have become so feeble these days - nobody has the guts to put a woman in her place and simply "sweep her off her feet" with confidence, intelligence, steadfastness, and plain manliness, - Monta thought and asked: - Where shall we go? - but immediately caught herself on the thought: - Decisiveness.
Four tonnes of Latvian clay have been brought onto the stage, though the story is about the lives of two brothers and their passion for a woman from a pleasure house somewhere on a distant South American ranch. In the production love is not separated from carnal desire. There is no "action," no noble feelings, no mystery or complex plot entanglement. Brutal tenderness.
This evening, thanks to two invitations won in a Twitter draw, we attended the Latvian National Theatre to see Viesturs Kairišs's new production "Pinocchio's Ashes". Initially after watching the performance I thought I would not be able to write anything about this work - it was too emotionally oppressive - but now I simply want to talk through this heaviness.
Phantasmagoria in several episodes. We are all travellers, regardless of what destination is printed on the ticket. How do we choose where to go and how to find the right travelling companion? Sometimes all that's left is to watch the train pull away. Perhaps it wasn't my train after all?
Phantasmagoria in several episodes. We like to play games. The mask of politeness, positivity, and wisdom is sometimes the most precious thing one can have. Even while verbally agreeing to openness, we remain behind our masks. Who else will unmask me, if not myself? Will the club members risk playing the game without masks?
Sevillanas is the first of the flamenco dance styles I have started to learn at the Spanish dance club Duende. Of course, one must start from the most basic movements - learning posture, arm movements, counting the rhythm, and then the steps. Classes take place in small groups, which is beneficial in that dance teacher Ilvija can give individual attention to each person, correct mistakes, and monitor the execution. The hour allocated to each class passes unnoticed. What follows is a little about sevillanas itself.
Phantasmagoria in several episodes. Four strangers - 3 ladies and 1 gentleman - meet to get acquainted and get to know one another, to see themselves through another person's eyes, to turn the traces left by events into history and live on. In the room that holds a table with six chairs, only five seats are currently taken. Will a sixth join them? The facilitator is friendly but businesslike. Autumn days grow dark quickly. There is quiet here, but beyond the club's walls another life entirely seems to hum. We are all part of it.
While searching for various materials on flamenco dance steps and performance technique, I came across information about a rather unusual fashion show. It turns out that earlier this year in Spain, the young designers' fashion festival SIMOF 2009 was held for the 14th time, where everything is devoted to the flamenco theme. Festival participants take part in the show with costumes rooted in the traditions of flamenco dancers' dress and enriched with innovative elements. Here is a small glimpse into the costume collections created by the festival participants.
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