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ATLANTIC FLAMENCO
December 2021 Newsletter

In This Issue:

Special Feature: World Flamenco Day Events Review
January Classes
Spanish Culture Feature:Christmas in Andalucia
Recipe Corner: Mantecados
Call for Board Members

We had a busy November with our first performances in almost two years. Our January class schedule is out. Registration is open!  Dance with us in 2022, or give the gift of classes to a loved one.

To  get you in the holiday mood, learn how Andalucians celebrate Christmas.

Special Feature

World Flamenco Day Events Review

Photo credits: Jon James

Our recent events to celebrate World Flamenco Day were a lot of fun and received a warm reception.

It was wonderful to be back on stage presenting, dancing and playing flamenco for the public. We included a mixture of informative presentations with demonstrations of dance, music and rhythms from our artists.  
We are grateful to Nova Scotia Communities, Culture and Heritage for supporting this event.


From left to right: Chris Robinson, Joyce Saunders, Maria Osende, Linda Palmer, Rachel James, Kiriam Thompson, Karen Staples.

There were also opportunities for the audience to get up and dance with us, try some flamenco rhythms and even some flamenco karaoke! Below Maria Osende during a dance and rhythm lesson for the audience.



The students of Flamenco and Ballet School Maria Osende joined us for some Sevillanas.  So wonderful to dance together again after all this time.

We even had a special guest appearance by puss in boots, who serenaded us at the end of the show and entertained all with debonair charm.

It was equal parts amazing and nerve-wracking to be back on stage after almost two years away.  It was surprising how quickly we all settled back in to the rhythm of it and we are so grateful to those who attended and gave such heartfelt support.  We look forward to seeing you again soon at our next event!
Click Here for More Photos

Did you attend the event? If so we would love to hear from you! please take our short survey to help us improve our future events.
Take Survey Here

January Classes!


Registration is now open!  We have Flamenco and Ballet classes both in-person and hybrid/online. 
Register today for early bird discounts (until tomorrow Wednesday, December 15th). 
View Winter Courses

Give the Gift of Dance!

Choose the desired amount and give your loved one a gift certificate towards ballet or flamenco classes, online and in-person. 
Check out our Flamenco and Ballet Gift Certificates

Feature

Christmas in Andalucia

Photo Credit: Guido Montanes Castillo

Andalucia, at Christmas, is undoubtedly one of Europe’s most beautiful destinations. Its ancient traditions have been handed down from generation to generation.

The Belén - Nativity Scene

The Nativity Scene is an important and popular tradition in Andalusia; called “Belén”or Bethlehem. The Spanish Belén decoration consists of little statues , houses, rivers and even animals; all recreating the moment that Jesus was born. This nativity is often a surprisingly

large collection of pieces that have been lovingly gathered over the years . Often families, co-workers and especially teachers and students build a structure in order to set up the entire town of Bethlehem with all the important characters featured in the sprawling scenery.

These days it is common to have both the Christmas tree and the Nativity Scene together as a Christmas decoration in Spain, but the Nativity Scene is treated with greater tender love and respect.
 



Image Source: http://www.bicontinental.co/spanish-christmas-history-traditions/
 

Spanish Christmas Dinner in Andalucia

Christmas Eve is the night for family get-togethers and the main Christmas meal. One item that will surely be at every table is an entire leg of cured ham. It is served in thin slices as an appetizer, together with a selection of smoked salmon, pates, cured meats and special cheese slices. It is often the main course as well.



Spanish Christmas Carols - Villancicos and Flamenco

International Christmas carols are not popular in Andalucia. Regional Christmas songs,  ‘villancicos’  have been sung here for centuries. The lyrics are religious, most are about the birth of Jesus. Children go door to door to sing a villancico, in return for pocket money known as ‘aguinaldo’.  

Some traditional villancicos verses are sung in the Flamenco style (typically bulerias compas) and can be accompanied by dancing.
 



Translation:

Everybody brings something for the child
I have nothing to bring him
I will bring him my heart
which will act as diapers.

 References: andalucia.com

Andalucian’s Sweet Christmas Snack - Mantecados

Christmas Spanish treats exclusive to Andalucia are the Mantecados. In the 16th century Andalucia had an overproduction of lard and corn, so they had to think of something to do with it to use it up.They came up with Mantecado!

There is debate as to which town/city these pastries were born, but one thing is clear, the recipe quickly spread throughout Spain. Estepa, a city located near Sevilla, has the  majority of factories making mantecado. It is where the “Mantecado marketing” started in the 19th century.  It is the home of  the Museum of the Mantecado.
 
Recipe Source: https://www.thespruceeats.com/mantecados-recipe-traditional-spanish-crumble-cakes-3083014
 

For the preparation


Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 40 mins
Servings: 84 servings
Yield: 84 cookies
Ingredients
  • 2 1/4 cups vegetable shortening
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 2 shots anise-flavored liqueur, anisette or other
  • 1 lemon peel, grated
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 7 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus 1/4 to 1/2 cup more, if needed
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 large egg white, beaten, for the glaze
  • Cinnamon sugar, for sprinkling, optional
Directions
  1. Gather the ingredients
  2. Preheat the oven to 325 F
  3. In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to whip the vegetable shortening with the oil. Add the sugar and mix until smooth. Add the egg yolks, anisette, lemon peel, lemon juice, and cinnamon, and mix together.
  4. Add 7 of the cups flour, 1 cup at a time to the mixture, then add baking soda. Be sure to mix well. The dough should be smooth and soft.
  5. Using a teaspoon, scoop out a dollop of dough. Form balls about the size of walnuts using your hands. If the dough is too sticky to roll into balls, mix in additional flour (from 1/4 to 1/2 cup).
  6. Place balls onto an non-greased cookie sheet. Lightly press down on each ball to flatten slightly. Brush the beaten egg white on the top of each cookie. Bake cookies until they begin to turn light brown on the bottom edges, about 15 to 20 minutes.
  7. Let the cookies cool 5 minutes before removing from the cookie sheet, as they are very delicate. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon if desired.
  8. Enjoy!

 

Call for Board Members


Volunteer Opportunity – November 1, 2021, Halifax, NS

Atlantic Flamenco Productions Society (AFP), known also as Maria Osende Flamenco Co
We (AFP ) are actively seeking engaged and dedicated individuals to join our Board of Directors.
The pandemic changed the performing arts landscape and we are eager to move on in new directions and take fresh input and outtakes. This is an opportunity to contribute to Atlantic Canada’s performing arts landscape through the advancement of flamenco and Spanish culture, to expand your personal and professional networks, and to further develop your leadership and management competencies by volunteering in your community. 
 
Find out More and Apply!
Please consider becoming a patron of Atlantic Flamenco Productions Society. Your support is vital for the arts and we appreciate it tremendously. Donations $20 or above are tax deductible.  Donations can be one time, or recurring. 
DONATE TO OUR CHARITY

A very special thank you to our donors, volunteers and supporters.
We could not do this without you!

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