Earlier this year Sólo Flamenco were invited to perform at the
Samhlaí­ocht 2008 Easter Arts Festival.

The performance was billed as one of the highlights of the festival, which is held every year in Tralee, Co. Kerry.

We were joined on guitar by special guest Juan José Manzano Garcia, who accompanied us on a number of dances and also played some of his own pieces for the audience.

For pictures of the event, visit our galleries.

The second half of our stay in Jerez was no less inspiring and memorable than the first. Having found our feet, both figuratively and literally, the city began to feel like a home away from home - or maybe just home - and we began to take so much more away from our classes.

The shows continued to impress as well. Highlights included Eva Yerbabuena in “Santo y Seña”, Andrés Marí­n in “El alba del Último dí­a” and Merche Esmeralda, Belén Maya and Rocí­o Molina in “Mujeres”. Rocí­o was especially impressive in this show.

But possibly the greatest moment of the festival came on the last night, when we went to see Manuela Carrasco. The first part of her show, “Romalí­. Danza de los gitanos” explored the very soul of Flamenco, tracing its origins in Indian dance and its evolution amongst the Romany. The second part of the show featured a number of pieces in a traditional setting with cajón, guitars and singers, but performed with an energy and vitality that was unequaled by any of the other performers we saw at the festival. Manuela has a unique presence on stage that commands your attention.

As we slowly walked away from the Teatro Villamarta for the last time that evening, fate presented us with one final coda. We were crossing behind the post office when we noticed Matilde Coral and her friends walking alongside us. Suddenly somebody started to clap a Bulería and then the contratiempo began and before we were fully aware of what was happening, Matilde was dancing Bulerí­a. Then, as quickly as it began, it was all over a few compasses later and everyone continued walking. A more perfect scene you would not find in a Saura movie.

There is something poetic about your last memory of Flamenco in Jerez being Matilde dancing on a street corner. I for one would not have it any other way.