We concluded our US vacation with an unforgettable weekend in New York to celebrate Anette's 27th birthday. Mom, Dad and Granny drove up from DC, and Anette, Olivia and I took the metro from Brooklyn to the city, where we met up at The Scandinavia House for a traditional Norwegian dinner. Afterwards, we took a cab to the Winter Garden theatre, where the huge marquee for Mamma Mia (music of Sweden's ABBA) stood out against the black skyscrapers and bright neon lights.
The show was phenomenal, with a great storyline and some hysterical acting, and a wonderful time was had by all. After the show we walked through Times Square, our eyes as wide as the horizon, trying to comprehend the enormity of light, sound and speed, amused by the people lounging in beach chairs in the newly created pedestrian section. I was so happy to walk with my grandmother, 91, at my side, and watch her enjoy the spectacle.
We said goodbye to the "old folks" at their hotel and continued on to W 38th and 8th, where we spotted a dimly lit marquee for the Roy Arias Theater on the side of a nondescript office building. We had come to see our flamenco dance teacher, Jorge Navarro, a native of Granada who's been in NY for 25 years, perform with some of his friends. We took the elevator to the 6th floor, and walked out into a haze of smoke, sweat, loud conversation and guitars strumming. We entered the small, darkened room to find a lively audience of about 100 and a small stage with two guitarists, a singer, and three dancers.
What ensued was the most intimate, intense flamenco show I've ever seen. It is beyond me to describe every footfall, every touch of the guitar, every modulation of the singer's mournful voice, or the passion and emotion of the performers. Olivia, Anette and I were enthralled, in awe, sharing a delicious feeling of having stumbled upon this most underground and most authentic of Andalucian experiences, right in the middle of NYC. Viva la Gran Manzana, y viva el flamenco jondo!
