Concha Vargas

May 2004

The Flamenco Society of San Jose presents

Raices del Flamenco

Concha Vargas & Paco Fernandez

Thursday May 27 7:30pm Friday, May 28 7:30pm, 2004

World-reknowned flamenco dancer Concha Vargas to perform
By Amit Barson

Before being seated for the interview in her studio, Concha Vargas went to retrieve a shawl from her purse to wrap herself. The translator who I used for assistance whispered to me that this shawl puts her in a mood and gives her inspiration.

Concha Vargas is a Gypsy flamenco dancer from Seville, Spain, whose life as on stage is tulmultuous, wild, hypnotic, and embodies a charismatic presence that is difficult to ignore. Her career as a dancer began at the age of 12, when she was called to go onstage at one of the festivals, and was presented as the daughter of Quintin Vargas, a well-known horse trader from Lebrija. The day after that first appearance the local newspapers splashed headlines that a new star had been born. And as they say, the rest is history.

Since then, her career has skyrocketed, so that she performed along side of elite flamenco performers, such as Mario Maya, Chocolate, Farruco, and many others who no longer live but are immortalized in flamenco history. Her career includes a performance before the Pope at the Vatican, and a performance in India for former Prime Minister Indira Ghandi. One astonishing detail that she divulged to me was that she gave Mrs. Ghandi private flamenco lessons while there.

Concha Vargas continued to perform worldwide with the famous guitarist Pedro Bacan and other members of the illustrious Pinni family. In the States we were honored with her tour of shows during 2000 with the singer Curro Fernandez and Macanita. She staged shows and workshops in New York, Chicago and Albuquerque.

In contrast to most other Gypsy artists, who scorn any flamenco that doesn t sprout directly from their culture, Concha is supportive and sympathetic to foreign dancers. She states that there are among them those who dance with the same passion, emotional bond, and professionalism which doesn t fall short of the gypsy artists. In reply to my query about the language barrier, Concha says It s true that an understanding of the language is required in order to connect with the song s content, but I ve seen dancers, for example from Japan and the U.S., who even without knowing Spanish have the ability to immerse themselves in the music, and to draw from them forceful emotion and tears. It s true that if you understand the lyrics, you ll shed even more tears. Which is good news for the rest of us aficionados: we too can obtain this goal.

When I asked Concha how she perceives modern flamenco ( flamenco nuevo ), immediately her expression went serious and with restrained anger replied that Modern flamenco is fusion: it s nice, but don t call it flamenco, rather jazz. Traditional Gypsy flamenco-or as we call it puro (pure)-is eternal. Even after I die, it will live on, as opposed to the modern flamenco, which is pretty now, but will pass quickly from this world.

Concha comes from one of the old Spanish Gypsy families, and tells how she often faced discrimination because of her heritage. One of the particularly offensive occurances was when parents of the pupils of the school attended by her children demanded that all Gypsy children be expelled. Her struggle against the parents council succeeded only when she introduced herself as Concha Vargas. Her fame and distinction did the trick, but the biting pain and feeling of rejection from that incident lingers on.

As a career woman with many demands, which calls on her to be away from home and family often, Concha doesn t play the part of the feminist heroine. I ve paid a high price for this with my health , she conceded.

In conclusion, I include a small anecdote: As most artists have numerous experiences in their satchel of stories, and some of them humorous, Concha still recalls how as a young child dancing at the Tablao, and executing one of those famous turns, she found herself the next minute lying on one of the tables next to the stage, to the wondering eyes of the audience. Of course, she doesn t forget the little girl standing in front of the audience, bursting out in tears in embarrassment.

Concha Vargas, a traditional gypsy flamenco dancer, arrives in the Bay area with her entourage for two shows, on May 27 and 28, and we await with bated breath for an uplifting and authentic experience.