Jodhpur Flamenco & Gypsy Festival To Kick Off Next Week

What do you make of a festival which proposes that Rajasthani folk and Spanish flamenco are not so far apart? That’s the main draw for the Jodhpur Flamenco and Gypsy Festival [JFGF]. The first edition of the three-day event takes place in Rajasthan between March 13th and 15th, featuring a host of Spanish flamenco musicians and dancers.

The JFGF takes place at the grand Mehrangarh Fort, which also hosts the annual Jodhpur Rajasthan International Folk Festival [RIFF]. Says JFGF managing and artistic director Cavaliere Roberto Nieddu, ”The connection between the Rajasthani folklore and the Spanish Flamenco is as old as the gypsies who migrated from India centuries ago. A cultural exchange like the JFGF promises to bring renowned talent from across the globe to explore the roots of music they excel in.”  The festival’s lineup includes flamenco veteran Pepe Habichuela, who collaborated with Indian classical artists on his 2001 album Yerbagüena and with sitar player Anoushka Shankar on her 2011 album Traveller.

Other performers on the festival lineup make it a family affair ”“ Habichuela’s son, Josemi Carmona, who was part of flamenco fusion group Ketama, will perform and Latin jazz pianist Chano Dominguez will be joined by his guitarist son Pablo Dominguez. Also on the bill are flamenco guitarist Agustin Carbonell ‘El Bola’, flamenco fusion act Indialucia and a collaboration between Mexican flamenco dancer Karen Lugo and folk group Rangeelo Rajasthan.

 

Jodhpur Flamenco & Gypsy Festival Schedule

Day 1 ”“ March 13th

6.30 to 7.30pm ”“ Rangeelo Rajasthan, venue: Moti Mahal

7.30 to 9.00 pm ”“ Agustin Carbonell “Bola” venue: Main stage

9.00 to 11.00 pm ”“ Josemi Carmona venue: Main stage

11.00 pm onwards ”“ Flamenco House Session The After Party with DJ Hamza venue: Zenani Deodi Courtyard

 

Day 2 ”“ March 14th

6.30 to 7.00 pm ”“ Footprints of the Desert featuring Ismail Khan, Maihboob Khan, Ikhlas Khan, Iqbal Khan venue: Moti Mahal

7.00 to 8.15pm ”“ Pepe Habichuela venue: Main stage

8.15 to 10pm ”“ Karen Lugo and Rangeelo Rajasthan venue: Main stage

10.00 to 11.30pm ”“ Indialucia venue: Main stage

11.30 pm onwards ”“ Gypsy Grooves The After Party with DJ Hamza venue: Zenani Deodi Courtyard

 

Day 3 ”“ March 15th

6.30 to 7.30pm ”“ Sounds of the Distant Sands featuring Japu Khan, Abid Khan, Sadam Khan, Sikandar Khan, Barkat Khan and Habib Khan venue: Moti Mahal

7.30 to 8.00 pm ”“ Tamar Gonzalez and Rangeelo Rajasthan venue: Main stage

8.00 to 10.00 pm ”“ Chano Dominguez venue: Main stage

10.00 pm onwards ”“ The Absolut Party venue: Zenani Deodi Courtyard

The schedule is subject to change

The Jodhpur Flamenco and Gypsy Festival takes place between March 13th and 15th, 2014 at Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Tickets ”“ Rs 3,000 (per day) and Rs 7,500 (season pass) available here. Event details here.