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The roots of Flamenco can be traced back for centuries. Born from the expression of a persecuted people, most notably, the Gypsies of Southern Spain, its unique blend of influences and musical complexity can be attributed to the consequences of the decree made in Spain 1492 by Catholic Spanish King Ferdinand V and Queen Isabella that everyone living under their domain convert to Catholicism. This proclamation was issued under the threat of varying degrees of punishment, the most severe being the death penalty, by fire. Gypsies, Muslims, Jews and anyone living in Spain at the time was ordered to convert. It is believed that because of this decree these different ethnic groups came together to help each other, and within this melding of cultures Flamenco was born. Flamenco, in general, consists of three artistic elements: the singing (cante), the dance (baile) and the guitar (guitarra). In addition, there are often members of a Flamenco group playing "palmas" or hand-clapping. The relationship between the artists is similar to that of Jazz-there is a basic structure that one must follow, but at its heart, it is an improvised form. The singing is the center of the Flamenco group. The dancer physically interprets the words and emotion of the singer through his or her movements, which include percussive footwork and intricate hand, arm and body movements. The guitarist provides the accompaniment to the singer and dancer, accentuating his or her vocal lines and/or melodies. Most scholars will agree that the birthplace of Flamenco is Jerez de la Frontera, a small city in Southern Spain. However, because of the nomadic nature of the Gypsies, who moved from town to town selling their wares and doing odd jobs, Flamenco quickly gained roots in several Andalucian towns, including Sevilla and Granada. Flamenco went through many phases in the 18th and 19th centuries, including the performance of the form by non-Gypsies. Ironically, this is what gave the form its legitimacy, as it was seen in theatres and cafes. It can also be said that it became commercial, with the obvious negative implications, as well as quite successful. And although the Gypsies did not achieve respect and honor for their contribution to the art form until many years later, they have always been considered the best interpreters of the Flamenco arts. Towards the end of the 19th century flamenco entered the commercial arena. This led to the evolution of 'professional' artists and culminated in the period of the 'cafes cantantes' (song and dance cafes) where flamenco could be heard and seen in public. This evolution also led to changes in the nature of the songs as fads developed for particular types of cante. Many of the more primitive forms languished, and some were totally lost, while other more upbeat forms achieved tremendous popularity. Growing commercialization continued until the 1950s when the influx of tourists to post-war Spain threatened to debase the art form completely. Fortunately, at this same time, several singers rediscovered the older forms and re-established interest in flamenco as an art form as well as a commercial form of music. This process depended in part on memories of older amateur singers, as there were few recordings to reference. The establishment of Flamenco Festivals during the 1960s - 1980s reinforced this revival. Although some regard these as having stifled the intimacy and spontaneity of Flamenco, they undoubtedly opened up the art to a wider public and provided opportunities for new artists

Happy Birthday Sara :) XOXO Elena

Ok here is the original video clips that I used on both of my Flamenco videos, "Tablado Flamenco and Amor Gitano"

"Suscitatio" This is my comeback video, I had missed making videos very much, I hope you like this short video that I called Suscitatio wish means “Awakening” Thanks for being so patient with me and I promise I will pass by your channels soon :) Have a wonderful Evening! Elena AKA LaHelen

I dedicate this video to James Michael Harris, Thanks Michael for the wonderful music you give to this troubled world. Elena. Thanks to Debdej AKA Deb for letting me use her video clips. Thanks Deb :)

Love - Devotion Feeling - Emotion Don't be afraid to be weak Don't be too proud to be strong Just look into your heart my friend That will be the return to yourself The return to innocence If you want, then start to laugh If you must, then start to cry Be yourself don't hide Just believe in destiny Don't care what people say Just follow your own way Don't give up and miss the chance To return to innocence That's not the beginning of the end That's the return to yourself The return to innocence Don't care what people say Follow just your own way Follow just your own way Don't give up, don't give up To return, to return to innocence.

BlueEagle48 tagged me.. now what shall I do.. well Neil Diamond is not on my top ten list of musicians to listen to.. so this is my twist on this song.. I tag CelticCharm and LaHelen .. enjoy and good luck ladies..

People around the world have observed spiritual and religious seasonal days of celebration during the month of June. Most have been religious holy days which are linked in some way to the summer solstice. On this day, typically JUN-21, the daytime hours are at a maximum in the Northern hemisphere, and night time is at a minimum. It is officially the first day of summer. It is also referred to as Midsummer because it is roughly the middle of the growing season throughout much of Europe. El 21 de junio se celebra, en el hemisferio norte, el día más largo del año. En esta fecha, los habitantes de la región septentrional del planeta se aprestan para presenciar uno de los espectáculos más bellos de la naturaleza: el sol de media noche. En algunos lugares, como el Polo Norte, el sol continúa brillando a la media noche del 21 de junio Definitivamente el 21 de junio no es un día como los demás. La naturaleza, el hombre y las estrellas se disponen a celebrar una gran fiesta, cargada de gran poder y magia. Las hadas y demás deidades de la naturaleza andan sueltos por los campos; los agricultores dan gracias por el verano, las cosechas, las frutas y por disponer de más horas para cumplir con sus tareas y entregarse también a la diversión. Espanol También es el momento justo para pedir por la fecundidad de la tierra y de los mismos hombres; además se debe comenzar a almacenar alimentos para pasar el otoño y el invierno.

Hi everyone :) I finally finished the video that I was working for a few weeks, lately I have no time to make videos or to be here, I hope you enjoy this video and please forgive me for not being here as much as I want . Elena

We all need an extra fairie in our pocket, besides guardian angeles, No? Believe..This is for my very talented and graphical artisian La Helen, please stop by her site-La Helen.. and see her marvelous works of fantasy, she is also listed under the Fantasy catagory under Collective Soul Fantasy Works!!

These girls are my students, they are not profesional dancers. This was our first recital back in 2005

This is a family slideshow that I made for my adopted daughter Mary Cruz. She came to live with me 4 months ago. She comes from a very poor family in Mexico. I am sharing this video with you because we sometimes take things for granted. I thank God for all the blessings I get everyday. She visited San Francisco for the first time 3 weeks ago. She said something that caught my attention she said. “My eyes hurt to see so much beauty in on place, I wish my brain keep this pictures for ever” I had been in San Francisco hundreds of times, I know is beautiful but I think I was taking things for granted. We have to start looking the beauty around us; every place in the world has beautiful things to look at. Enjoy them all. I hope you can understand my message; English is my second language :) I speak Spanish. I am not in the pictures :) My daughter and her husband are the ones who took Mary Cruz for a short vacation. Have a great day! Elena

When I was an Modern Dance Choreographer in Mexico this was my last plan for a dance, for health reasons I never was able to choreograph Ying and Yang, then when I had my Dance Studio I was planning to do it but I needed to wait for my new students to get more technique and “stage time” As most of you know I closed my Dance Studio A month ago so that never happened. So I made this video well the editing from many Chinese performers I arranged it to more or less resemble what I had in mind for my students I hope you like it :) My Daughter’s are part Chinese; my late husband Tony was part Chinese so I dedicate this video to my daughters Claudia and Adriana and For the Wong Family Love you all! Elena

Caminando con Lobos Walking with wolves I made this video as a present for my sister Lety I hope she likes it. Este video lo hice para mi hermana Lety.

Hello Everyone :) this is my last video of my Flamenco series, I hope I don't bore you :) Hola a todos, este es el ultimo de la serie de videos de baile Flamenco, espero no aburrirlos.

Taiko – Big Drum in Japanese I hope you enjoy this video; it took many hours of editing. I used video clips from 6 different Cirque Du Soleil promo videos. I am very lucky that I had seen all these shows they are breath taking. Have a wonderful evening! Elena

I know it has to be many videos using this same Madonna’s song, anyway I thought it would be cool to make one of my own, so here it is my version of "Vogue" I mixed the modeling glamour with the sentimental old Hollywood. Me imagino que no soy la primera que hace un video con la cancion de Madonna Vigue, pero de todas maneras queria yo hacer mi version, hice una combinacion del glamour de la Moda y las imagines del viejo Hollywood, espero les guste. Elena

Three weeks ago my daughter called me and said, “Hello mom we have your birthday present” but it can wait wrapped in a gift box :) This is Pixie's Story. My son in law came home from work late at night, he could hear a kitten cry, he went home and kept on thinking about the kitten, when he went to bed he could still hear the kitten cries, he thought he needed to do something about it. So he went to check the origin of the cries and saw in the back yard of a house a the little kitten was stuck in a thorny bush hiding from two big dogs that were trying to get it :( he got her out of there and brought her home, the little thing was thirsty and very hungry, only God knows for how long the kitten was there. :( So the next day my daughter brought her to me and it was love at first sight and the rest is history :) Met Pixie!

Alien World. Just a collection of surrealistic pictures.