The pandemic devastated
the flamenco tablaos of the capital
like a
tsunami
, drowned by an irreparable ruin in front of the vertical wall that entailed exorbitant costs. Only a few such as
Torres Bermejas
or
Cardamomo
were able to survive in knowingly deficient conditions. Others could not bear the agony and had to throw in the towel: at the closing of the mythical Casa Patas, in May 2020, other historic ones such as the
Café de Chinitas
,
Villarrosa
or the
Sala Almonte
followed
. And with its collapse also came that of the artists who support this show: up to 40% of professional dancers had to retire before this massive wave of bankruptcies, according to the
National Association of Flamenco Theaters of Spain (ANTFE)
.
In another long list there were stores that closed, but that have been recovering their activity in a timely, almost symbolic way.
Among them,
El Cafetín La Quimera
, which is now redoubling its commitment by recovering in
Madrid
a concept that has been forgotten in recent times: flamenco nights.
Its mere opening as a tablao would already be news in itself these days. But what distinguishes this new space is what will happen in it from 00:00 this Thursday. The tables will be removed, a dance area will be set up, -it will be danced when the law allows it-, and the fandangos, tangos and bulerías will give way to the sevillanas and the rumba as a rociera room: «The Madrilenian night has been the showcase of Spain and Europe. It's a shame that reference was lost, so it's time, more than ever, to get it back. And merge it with an identity stamp such as flamenco. There is a moment in which we already have to get out of this because otherwise the country is sinking and we with it. You have to make decisions and move forward with all the consequences ... If another wave comes, we will die. I would only stay close,sing fandangos in the street and put on the cap, "he says
Antorrín Heredia
, at the head of this bet and who sees the light with a star signing:
“Since the Sala Almonte closed, the city had been orphaned.
That is why I have brought with me its director of the venue,
César Reviejo
, who will provide that unique and long-awaited stamp ", says the owner of La Quimera, who leaves behind the charming local near Las Ventas to return in style in the heart of the art of the capital, next to the Plaza Mayor, giving continuity to the emblematic
Arco de Cuchilleros
or the most recent
Mr. Pinkleton
and where artists such as
Antonio el Bailarín
,
Chema Lobato
, or
Enrique Morente
, among others,
have passed
.
On its return, and supported by the motto of
'Flamenco from the soul'
, La Quimera will bet on authenticity.
"This is what tourists also look for when they come. The tablaos nowadays adopt a very modern concept of theater. And that is why we wanted to return giving authenticity in everything: both in the aesthetics of the premises and of the artists themselves as in the own lighting and acoustics: there is no sound here, there are no microphones. This is our philosophy ", explains
Antorrín
, who includes theoretical and practical flamenco classes in his offer for those who want to take their first steps.
Antorrín Heredia, in La Chimera.JAVIER BARBANCHO
The return, however, has not been easy. «I had to ask for an ICO of a lot of money ... and I have already spent it. I don't know how I'm going to pay it yet. And I have to thank that they gave it to me ... There have been many people who have not been able to survive, "says
Antorrín
, which explains the extra difficulties that flamenco professionals have gone through.
"If I have a capacity in a tablao of 50 people, and they put it at 30% ... Well, it is impossible to maintain a team like I had of six artists, plus four workers in the bar ... If to this you add that no there is tourism and that people do not want to get into closed spaces ... Well, it is impossible. It is a ruin. What happened? That even so we have had to continue paying rents, electricity, water, telephone, Social Security ... You can't open a business of that size under those circumstances. "
Fusion of four worlds
The opening of
La Chimera (Cuchilleros, 7)
does not come alone. Just 10 days later, on October 7, another project will see the light with the ambitious goal, according to its room director,
Natalia Peces
"of being an exclusive and benchmark place in Madrid." It is about
Déjate Querer (Av. Concha Espina, 55)
, which fuses four worlds with art as its flagship inside: the bull, the horse, the Rocío and the flamenco. «It will be something different, never seen. And we will give a lot to talk about. There will be live performances, nights of sevillanas and rumbas, others with music from the 80s, tributes to groups such as
El Barrio
, and even fusions such as flamenco bachata ", says Peces, who in addition to the nights bets on the afternoon, on Saturdays," for those who with the pandemic have become accustomed to other times, have the opportunity to enjoy the place with the same atmosphere than in the early morning ».
Unlike the small spaces that flamenco tablaos usually occupy, this new concept of room, with
300 square meters
, will have capacity for
200 people.
"It will be a select place, elegant, with soul, where entering means feeling at home. A place where you can also let yourself be loved", explains the director of the room.
Aid to the sector
The inauguration of
La Chimera
and
Déjate Querer
are a ray of light and hope for a very damaged sector that, according to the
ANTFE
, continues in the UCI. “This is good news, but the situation remains critical. We have something of our own, which we do not have to invent, a hallmark that is the envy of the whole world ... and we are throwing it to the ground, "said
Juanma del Rey
last Wednesday
, its president, minutes after asking at the doors of Congress for more support to the parties.
His desperate protest was rewarded: the Lower House approved, a day later, a set of aid that will alleviate the situation and that will serve “for the survival of the open but drowned tablaos by debts and the recovery of some of the historical ones that had to to close up ».
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