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Alegrías de Cádiz
Why is it used?
We dance Alegrías because we want to recreate a feeling of grace and fun, celebrate successes and laugh at sorrows.
Thematic
Within the wide variety of themes found in flamenco, in this style you will hear references to the sea and its trades, the coast, nature, love in a suggestive sense or the celebration of life.
As its name suggests, this is a dance associated with the oldest city in the West; Cadiz. These themes are supported by a series of choruses (also known as juguetillos) that reinforce the character of the style.
Costumes
The costumes used are characterised by the use of bright and intense colours. The traditional female costume is the one that stands out the most, being able to use accessories such as the bata de cola, the castanets or the shawl.
How is it performed?
The interpretation of this dance will remind you of the rocking of a boat sailing on the waves of the sea.
You will observe a two-part structure. The alegrías will give way to another style; the bulerías de Cádiz, which will conclude the dance.
In this first part, cante, falsetas (or phrases) of the guitar and zapateado (footwork) alternate. The intensity increases progressively, in search of the final “remate”.
Finally, we give way to the Bulerías de Cádiz, when the expressiveness and festejo reach their peak.
A little bit of history
It is one of the most important styles of flamenco, both for singing, playing and, above all, dancing. From it, the rest of the dance styles have been crystallized. The most recent studies argue that this palo shares elements with the jota.
We also find antecedents in elements of other popular genres such as the panaderos gaditanos, the coplas romanceadas or, above all, the jaleos of the 19th century.
The alegrías dance has historically been associated with female dancing, which is more decorative and sinuous. Since the emergence of the singing cafés (1850-1920), there has been a development and aesthetic codification of the dance around the sexual division of the dance. Throughout the 20th century and since the 21st century, this division of alegrías dancing has been diluted, with both men and women dominating this style. We find very important figures in alegrías dance such as María la Macarrona, Trinidad Huertas “La Cuenca” and Matilde Coral.
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