Poble Espanyol and Flamenco Show

Although flamenco dancing is not really something Barcelona is known for (it originated in southern Spain), there are all kinds of shows going on here in the city.  Based on online reviews we chose to go to the Tablao de Carmen which is named after Carmen Amaya, a famous flamenco dancer who was born here in Barcelona.  The show is actually inside another attraction, the Poble Espanyol, so we went a little early to explore.

The entrance is modeled on the portals of Avila, a walled city in central Spain.

Poble Espanyol was built in the 1920's for an International Exhibition and it is a kind of mini-Spain, with replica buildings representing architectural styles from all over the country.  It reminded me a lot of the World Showcase at Walt Disney World in Orlando except that there are no rides, only touristy shops and restaurants.  It is cool to look at, and a good way to spend an hour or two, but I'm glad that the admission was free with the flamenco ticket.

I'd reserved our tickets the night before and was surprised when we were shown to our seats right at the edge of the stage (I'd expected to be up in the nosebleed section, ha-ha).

The show started and the guitar, finger-snaps, and hand-claps were pretty mesmerizing.  This kid was basically the Fred Astaire of the show:

At first glance, flamenco just seems like a passionate, angry stomping dance.  Obviously there's more to it than that, and I'm sure technique is important, but it is sure fun to watch.  One of the ladies danced so hard the combs fell out of her hair.

Our up-close view of the fancy footwork.