Spreading our Wings

I went to a Flamenco show at Charade, located here in San Diego at 1863 Fifth Avenue in the Bankers Hill neighborhood. It was hosted by Alma Flamenco, and it was outstanding as usual.

The lineup was on point: guitarist Kombiz Pakan, violinist David Morales, singer Juan Murube, and dancers Latchmi Basille and Shannon Lopez. The whole night had that feeling I always hope for—where the artists are locked in, the room is listening and rambunctious at the right time, and you can tell everyone onstage is giving you their heart; improvising when and where they can, being real and keeping it "100", despite the obligation of “putting on a show.”

One of the things out of many that I really enjoyed, which is typical in close and personal spaces where Flamenco is performed, is how at the end they gave some of the Flamencos/Flamencas a chance to come up and dance a little pataíta or two por bulerías, and do some Sevillanas. That’s the thing about these nights when they’re done right: it’s not just a performance, it’s community, and if you are a dancer or singer, then you better be ready to come up and do your thang and that thang had better be poppin'. You’re not just clapping at a Flamenco like that —you’re participating, even if it’s just for 30 seconds.

For me as a guitarist, one of the most stunning moments of the night was hearing Kombiz perform a Zambra as a solo piece.

That was special and stirring from the mix of cultures that it diplayed. It wasn’t just “good guitar.” It was exceptionally played—taste, control, feeling, dynamics—everything. The kind of playing that makes you stop thinking and just listen. It inspired me enough that at the end I yelled “¡Viva el Moro!”! It was Gipsy, Arab, and African! That piece lit something up in me.

Juan’s singing was also on another level. Honestly, it hit me so hard that I almost considered canceling my Guitar lesson with Jose Tanaka tonight so I could go to Juan’s singing workshop at Liberty Station.

That’s how inspiring it was. But then reality came back in to play and I realized that I’ve got too much going on—moving from one property to another by the end of this week, school assignments for me Teaching English as a Foreign Language Class, the regular life of working a 9 to 5, and trying to prepare my world for my move planned move to Spain. So I’m staying the course and keeping the lesson. Still… Juan’s cante made me want to drop everything and go deeper into that side of Flamenco immediately. I hope when I get to Spain, I'll still have that pull to want to sing, and maybe even dance...jajaja!

Another major highlight was watching Shannon Lopez perform a Farruca honoring one of her teachers and someone I consider my Flamenco Madre, Juanita Franco.

That hit me on a personal level. I’ve played for Shannon in class, and it’s always a pleasure seeing people you’ve played for grow and spread their wings. Shannon did that last night. The growth, the confidence, the presence. It was truly inspiring.

Latchmi “La Chimi” was magnificent as usual. It always thrills me to see her perform, because I remember when she started years ago too. I played for a class she was attending way back when, when she was a student at San Diego School of Performing Arts High School and just starting out in Flamenco. She already had that spunk and spark then, and now she’s taken that enthusiasm and turned it into pure fire—thriving as an artist in Spain, and now coming back home to share her talent here in San Diego. Seeing her is a reminder of what’s possible when you commit to the art for real.

And let us not forget David Morales on violin… that was another layer that made the whole night feel bigger.

His violin added air and ambience in a way that transported me. It made the soundscape feel wide—like it opened up the room and let the imagination run. It took me to those places I’ve always dreamed about when I think of Flamenco, and the life I want, and the love I have for this art.

It was a magical night, and it made me wish I could just pick up and leave for Spain right now.

But, alas, your Boy's some obligations to fulfill before I can let that happen. They absolutely must be handled first, because it is who I am, not just as someone who still feels that he is Airborne, but as someone who had this sense of obligation and sacrifice prior to that. It reminds me of someone I cared for and loved who once said I didn't know who I was. It hurt me to hear her say that, but it also made it easier for me to realize that no matter what, I should never, ever betray my heart or forget who I am. I am he who sacrifices, especially if you are the right one. Anyway, I digress. I've got obligations, and once they’re carried out, my fourth quarter begins.

And I’ll say this plainly: it’s possible I’ll pass away before I get there.

But not even that bothers me, because as I’ve always said in Flamenco: “…a veces es la intención más que nada…”