Following are links to dancewear, books, CDs, and so forth, that will be useful to you as a flamenco dance student. For those items that link to Amazon.com, Flamenco Chicago receives a small percentage of the sale. So, please support us by using the links for your purchases -- incidentally, these are also the best prices I've found on the following items. (Plus, Amazon usually gives you free shipping on orders of $25 or more.)

Flamenco Shoes Very good student-quality flamenco shoes (all leather, with rubber half-sole and nails in heels and toes) are available from Rosetta at the studio for $62 (in sizes 6 1/2, 7, 7 1/2, and 8). You are able to try the shoes on before you buy. However, if you have a low-heeled, hard-soled shoe that won't fall off your foot when you dance, you don't have to invest in a special pair of shoes right away.

For about the same price as the shoes I sell, you can also purchase flamenco shoes from Chicago Dance Supply at 5301 N. Clark St. (773.728.5344). But if you do want a cheaper option for shoes, you can purchase inexpensive black character shoes -- don't pay more than $35 or so -- at any of the dancewear stores listed on this page and I think River's Edge (see link below) also has them.

Flamenco Practice Skirts These are at the cheapest price I have ever found anywhere; however, you'll also pay for shipping. And, you'll also wait 3-5 weeks for delivery. Most local dance supply stores carry flamenco practice skirts, sometimes also used for liturgical dance or called lyrical skirts. Call the dancewear store nearest you, and see what they have. If you can't find a suitable skirt locally, then order from River's Edge.

To purchase a skirt off the rack right away, try:
Leo's Dancewear at 1900 N. Narragansett (773.745.5600) or Motion Unlimited at 218 S. Wabash, Suite 816 (312.922.3330). Prices will be around $50 plus tax. I suggest you call first for hours and to check availability of the skirts. Makers they carry are usually Star Styled or Bal-Togs and sizes come in small, medium, and large. If you are tall, please size up, so that the skirt will be long enough for you. Your skirt should fall to the ankle (not mid-calf).

If you have a full, circular in your own closet, you don't need to invest in a flamenco skirt right away.

Duende: From Traditional Masters to Gypsy Rock Students often ask for suggestions on CDs that will serve as an introduction to flamenco. This 1994-released compilation set of three CDs comes with a booklet that provides a little background for what you'll be hearing. One disk focuses on singing, another on guitar, and third on exploratory, non-traditional flamenco (or what was exploratory ten years ago). And you can't beat the price.

 

 

 

Song of the Outcasts: An Introduction to Flamenco This is the best introductory book I've come across, and I believe it's even better than Donn Pohren's legendary books when it comes to a readable introduction for novices to flamenco. Comes along with a CD of field recordings that illustrate the material in the book. This gives you a very good backgrounding in the origins, rhythms, and various styles of flamenco. Less than spectacular writing style, but incredible price for the 200-page book plus CD with 21 different tracks giving examples of almost all the major palos.

 

Flamenco This is the classic 1997 Carlos Saura film on DVD: Serious flamenco sung, played, and danced by the greatest artists of the time. (I say this, even though it's only seven years ago -- but several important new artists have emerged in that time.) With the DVD, you have the ability to view subtitles in English, so English speakers can understand all the letras. A great overview of artists and styles. Make no mistake, this isn't a fun, crowd-pleasing flamenco show for tourists, this is serious stuff, for the most part. New students may find much of it challenging to watch and understand, but it is a great introduction to the artform.

 

Soundtrack from Carlos Saura's film, Sevillanas This is the CD that we use in our sevillanas class, and is an excellent introduction to the many styles of sevillanas, and some legendary flamenco artists.

 

 

 

Duende: A Journey Into the Heart of Flamenco A novel/memoir of an English grad student who travels to Spain to learn to play flamenco guitar. Gives a good idea of the character, flavor and personalities you'll find in the flamenco culture.