Spring Schedule 2024
Pilsen Community
Flamenco Class
Meets Every Monday, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Starts March 11th-April 15th, 2024
This class is a continuation of our community class given at Clinard Dance Studio during the fall, winter and spring months. Our goal is to increase awareness of flamenco culture in our beautiful community of Pilsen. As part of that mission, we offer donation-based community instruction for beginners. All ages are welcomed!
Thanks to all the wonderful people who joined us this summer for Flamenco Fridays at El Paseo Community Garden. It was great to see everyone again and it was great to have new community members join the classes!
This program partially supported by a fund from the Illinois Arts Council Agency
Between August and October of 2020, Clinard Dance partnered with Pilsen based El Paseo Community Garden to offer the Pilsen community outdoor flamenco classes and performances. The series was called Flamenco at El Paseo. Several members from the community came together to build relationships with each other through the art of flamenco. The series welcomed people of all backgrounds and skill levels and was attended by a wide range of members from the community.
Flamenco at El Paseo was started as a way of gathering in a safe and healing way during the COVID-19 pandemic, and as a means mutual aid by fundraising for local organizations. As a result of our partnership and the kind donations or our participants, we were able to fund-raise a total of $700. $300 for GoodKids MadCity, and $400 for the Pilsen Food Pantry.
Bellow are photos, videos, and drawings from the event, as well as reflections from those who attended.
Reflections from Sonia Bajaj
Sonia Bajaj joined our community classes in August and became an anthusiastic participant who now manages our Instagram account. Here’s what she has to say about Flamenco at El Paseo.
Learning Flamenco at El Paseo with Wendy and all of my new friends was a highlight of 2020 for me! Not only did I learn the basics of the art form, but Wendy's instructional style gave me room to express myself creatively. I felt connected with the other artists, musicians, performers, and fellow learners. This opportunity further kindled my passion for dance, and I can’t wait for next year!
This is an image on the sidewalk that I'd pass each day on my way to class. I think it encapsulates the spirit of the class. All skill levels are encouraged to join, as we experience the joy of movement together 🌹😊
Photos from Flamenco
at El Paseo
Reflection from Sophia Clinard-Rubio
Sophia Clinard-Rubio made a set of drawings accomppanied by a set of reflections on the Flemenco at El Paseo series.
I would say I was trying to capture small moments and gestures from the class.
I started to warm up by looking and almost feeling the movement on paper.
My mind pictures the moments quickly to then scribble on a page that I've practiced from doing many gesture drawings in the past. I chose to mark, make any glance I see or rhythmic moment I could draw quickly because the figures move fast.
I also picture and almost put myself into the person's gesture to allow myself to understand the joints and turns the body makes.
I went from figures to smaller hand or face gestures to a whole night scene.
Video from Flamenco at El Paseo
Drawings from Dmitry Samarov
Thanks to all the guest musicians and dancers who participated, including: Steve Gibons, Chi Blu, Emiliano Rojas, Jose Luis Cortez, and Camilo Rincón.
Thanks to all the volunteers who helped facilitate the events, including: Magdalana Rodriguez, Juan Gamino, Rocio Calderon.
And thanks to everyone who joined us to Flamenco at El Paseo so special. We're already looking forward to being back in the garden next Spring!
Thanks to all the beautiful people who attended the Flamenco Fridays classes at El Paseo Community Garden this summer. It was wonderful to see everyone again and to meet new students too.