Strictly Spanish Dancing

The flamboyant sounds and rhythms of Flamenco are coming to Viva España this year for the first ever Strictly Spanish Dancing Competition judged by TV favourite and Latin American expert Brendan Cole.

Flamenco has been described as one of the fiercest expressions of the human spirit and the result is an adventure with extreme dance, searing vocal artistry and exhilarating guitar.

Contestants will bare their souls in the knockout rounds on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th March, competing to make it through to the finals on Sunday 17th March when they will have three minutes to impress the Strictly Spanish Dancing panel of judges.

Joining Brendan on the panel will be Vera King, editor of Flamenco Magazine and
Sheryl Wexler from the Spanish Dance Society. The competition will be split into two groups of differing experience, so dancers of all ages and abilities will have the chance to compete for ultimate glory and the prize of either a summer course with the Spanish Dance Society or personal lessons from La Escuela de Baile.

For those not quite ready to compete in front of a panel of judges, there will be the opportunity to learn a few moves with the Escuela de Baile Flamenco, the largest flamenco school outside Spain, which will be providing live demonstrations and lessons with dancers, guitarists and drummers. There will also be regular performances from Escuela de Baile and the Royal Duja Flamenco as they rock the main stage alongside the top flamenco artists from Spain.

The colour and vibrancy continues elsewhere in the Show as Las Tunas, a group of strolling minstrels, take to the Live Stage twice daily with their own brand of Iberian musical magic and the Viva España Fashion Show will be giving visitors a glimpse of the latest Spanish styles worn with serious panache and not a little attitude.

In addition to the sumptuous array of live acts, singers, dancing and fashion, the Show will play host to the finest selection of Spanish interiors, design, furniture, lighting, gardening and gifts this side of the Iberian peninsula. So for a taste of Spanish culture that will be hard to beat, look no further than Viva España.

Tickets cost £8 in advance (booking fee applies) and £12 on the door. The Show will be open on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th March from 10:00 – 18:00 and Sunday 18th March from 10:00-17:00.

To book tickets or for more information, call the booking line on 0870 906 3769 or log on to vivaespanashows.co.uk.