Pride, Poveda, Lorca
Por eso no levanto mi voz, viejo Walt Whitman...
Greetings, my lovelies. I’ve been reminded on a return to Estepona this weekend, while getting rest, that life and capitalism are not the same.
For one, there’s art.
There’s art that doesn’t ask for a turn of profit. There’s art that just asks to be made.
It can turn a profit. But that’s not wholly the point…
Today’s newsletter will mention…
Miguel Poveda
Federico García Lorca
Walt Whitman
And the art of my flamenco teacher, Maria Montaño, of the Centro de Danza “Retales.” Que Arte!
Enlorquecido
Amidst today’s fitting backdrop of Spain playing Cabo Verde in the FIFA World Cup (with the match in Atlanta, Georgia, of all places…)
Let’s kick off the newsletter with flamenco singer cantaor Miguel Poveda.
Listen to his art right here. If you’ve never heard him sing, you are in for a real treat.
Toma, toma!
Beloved, renowned, admired, respected, Catalán and gay, Poveda is an icon not only of flamenco in the world, but of personal and artistic freedom.
While my morning bulerías class interpreted the above music (“Buleria de Cai”) last year in the fin del curso, in this year’s espectáculo, I will dance to a different Miguel Poveda track.
Oda A Walt Whitman (Fragmento)
Por eso no levanto mi voz, viejo Walt Whítman,
contra el niño que escribe
nombre de niña en su almohada,
ni contra el muchacho que se viste de novia
en la oscuridad del ropero,
ni contra los solitarios de los casinos
que beben con asco el agua de la prostitución,
ni contra los hombres de mirada verde
que aman al hombre y queman sus labios en silencio.
Pero sí contra vosotros, maricas de las ciudades,
de carne tumefacta y pensamiento inmundo,
madres de lodo, arpías, enemigos sin sueño
del Amor que reparte coronas de alegría.The above lines are a fragment of the Federico García Lorca poem, “Oda a Walt Whitman,” as performed by Miguel Poveda in his album Enlorquecido.
To read the full poem by Lorca, click here.
Poeta en Nueva York
Lorca, a poet and revolutionary of Granada, went to New York in 1929 and stayed for about 9 months, leaving in 1930. He’d crossed the Atlantic on the Olympic, the Titanic’s sister ship (that doesn’t get as much press for her successful transatlantic career, alas).
We could start the story of Lorca in one of a million places, but I’m starting in New York. After all, New York State was where I last lived and called “home” before heading to Lorca’s home base of Andalucía.
Yet the life of Lorca deserves much more of a tribute and contemplation than in this low-key newsletter. The voice and artistic trance / obsession of Miguel Poveda does justice.
The poem Oda a Walt Whitman came from Lorca’s poetry collection Poeta en Nueva York. In the poem, Lorca addresses a well known gay ancestor—perhaps a spiritual ancestor.
It’s in the Poeta en Nueva York act that I’ll be dancing in the espectáculo.
Poemas del Cante Jondo
Jumping around in time & geography, in 1922 Lorca collaborated with one Manuel de Falla, the Spanish composer of flamenco cante jondo fame—whose name lines the street where I take my modern-day flamenco classes in the 11300 La Línea zip code.
Lorca was not only a friend of la colectiva or el colectivo (or the “alphabet mafia,” if you will). He was a dear friend of gypsies, prostitutes, the poor and deeply marginalized as well in his broad beloved community.
On Calle Manuel de Falla, my flamenco teacher has prepared a grand espectáculo to tribute 90 years since Lorca’s death in 1936 (leaving commentary on Franco-era fascism for another day).
Maria Montaño—bailaora and director of the “Retales” dance academy—has been breathing, dreaming, and living Lorca poetry for at least the last six months, I’d say.
Her artistic trance & obsession also does justice.
A ti, Lorca
Os presento III Festival Flamenco Retales! Este año vamos a dedicárselo al poeta Federico Garcia Lorca, coincidiendo también con el 90 aniversario de su muerte. Haremos un recorrido por partes de su vida y sus obras, llevando a escena obras y poemas como El Maleficio de la Mariposa, Casa de Bernarda Alba, Romancero Gitano, Poemas del Cante Hondo y Poeta en Nueva York entre otras muchas sorpresas más. Se hará en el teatro de la Velada, al tener pocas localidades, estudiaremos la posibilidad de hacer 2 galas. Más adelante os digo donativo de entrada. Sé que os gustará mucho!
—announcement on May 2 from Maria
Festival 2026 “A ti, Lorca”
Our dance academy’s year-end performance is Saturday, June 27, at the Teatro de la Velada.
We will perform an homage and pay tribute to the poet Federico García Lorca on the 90th anniversary of his death, exploring his life and his most iconic works.
The acts of the performance will be as follows:
Poemas del Cante Jondo
El Maleficio de la Mariposa
Romancero Gitano
Poeta en Nueva York
La Casa de Bernarda Alba
Conversely, if you’d rather, send a donation directly to my Wise account here.
Thank you. I know Maria would appreciate it! For the first (and likely last) time, she is paying the steep theatre fees of the sound technician, lighting technician, insurance, and a cleaning crew. The techs have to be approved by the local ayuntamiento.
Next year, she said, we’re just having a fiesta and partying ;) Less stress on her part.
Bonus clip: Un Trianero en Nueva York
You can dance Sevillanas to this!
Boundless Life
Here are some gallery shots of my weekend visit to Estepona, where my aunt and uncle have arrived for their summer visit to Spain.
See you next time on the full moon!
Shayna
Thank you for sharing art with us! Miguel Poveda's performance, uhh. Visceral.