One of the problems about art is that it has an intrinsic value that is hard to measure. It is hard to say to a potential sponsor, “I am producing an amazing dance festival.  A flamenco festival. And you should give me money so I can ensure its survival.” “Why?” he asks.  

I can’t tell him that his donation of $1,000 will change the lives of 500 kids because they will have food in their bellies so they can go to school and perform better when compared to more fortunate kids.  I can’t tell him that that $1,000 dollars will help elect an official who will ensure that we preserve Obamacare. 

I can’t tell him those things, but I can tell him that teaching flamenco to multi-racial, multi-cultural kids in our arts outreach program can give kids a sense of belonging in a crazy world.  Hearing Spanish being sung and understanding that flamenco as an art grew out of oppressed peoples. People who are still trying to kill each other today at one point were joined together in the face of a larger cause.  

I can tell him that people who watch a HV Flamenco Festival show or attend a workshop learn that singing and dancing to recorded music just isn’t possible because the entire musical structure changes once you add one of those components. It has to be done live and together.  

They will learn that the dance and musical structures of flamenco are so complex that unless the singer, dancer and musicians are totally in tune and dedicated to supporting each other, they will fail.  The HVFF preaches connection through flamenco.  

Fundamentally, flamenco is about joining together, and moving through a complex musical structure. Like getting on a train to a shared destination. The only way to get there is if everyone pulls their weight, but also listens and fully supports the other.  It is kind of like that age old theatre improv adage “Yes, and…” 

Existentially, the connection in flamenco is about being authentic and sharing your truth.  There is something about the technique that demands that you, as a participant, speak your authentic story...your story of the day, of the week, of your journey here on earth.  In flamenco we share and we listen. Flamenco allows us to connect on a deeper, higher, wider level. Flamenco is traditionally performed in a circle. We enter the circle and leave our strife, joy, pain, despair there.  We are constantly able to emote our “why…” to the world, to our community and our witnesses are able to hold whatever we offer. And the lesson is, we get to leave it there. 

I can tell him that his $1,000 will go to talented local artists who have decided to live and work in the Hudson Valley.  People who could easily have made it in the City, but love our area and are dedicated to becoming a vibrant part of the arts community here.  His $1,000 will support local theatre venues and businesses because the HVFF is dedicated to keeping things local.  

His $1,000 will help produce a show that rivals any flamenco show you would see in New York City or Spain.  It will give students and artists alike the chance to grow and learn and challenge themselves artistically.  

Artists and lovers of the arts know integrally, in their souls that art is invaluable and art changes people, that the arts need to be championed.  People have known this since the great Renaissance when aristocrats would offer patronage to artists. Having a place for the arts in a community makes a stronger community.  Flamenco is so much more than just an art form. Which is why we at the HVFF have dedicated ourselves to teaching and sharing what we call “The People’s Flamenco.” The flamenco from the families, communities and streets of Southern Spain.  The flamenco that inspires groups of teenagers to break into song and dance on the streets. The still can be found around small fires in the street of Jerez at Christmastime. This is the People’s Flamenco because it comes from the people and brings them together in authentic connection.