The History of Spanish Fandango Dancing

The fandango remains a core dance in Spain.

Often called the dance of courtship, the fandango remains a core dance in Spain. In the 21st century it is thought of as a folk dance in Spain, Portugal, southern France and Latin America. The influence and attraction of the fandango is still alive and being performed by professionals and nonprofessionals on stage, in dance competitions and on community dance floors.

Origin

Most date the fandango dance back to 1760 Spain, originating in Seville, and there is conjecture that it was brought from Spain by the Phoenicians. Some argue that the true origin of the fandango music and unique dance began with the Italian composers present in the royal court of Spain at the Baroque period, and composer Boccherini is said to have developed the first slow fandango.

Influence

The influence of the fandango dance is seen in the Philippines due to Spanish colonization. The fandango is still performed today with some regional variations. The Spanish fandango influenced Cueca, the national dance of Chile, when the Spanish dominated Chilean culture during the Colonial period. When the fandango was thought to have some movements that were not quite acceptable to the Europeans, the bolero evolved. When learning cultural dance in the southwestern United States, people turn to the fandango dance.

Features

The fandango dance steps are similar to tap.

Slowly and gently, the fandango begins with music in A Minor, and then the tempo increases to triple time in E Major. The steps are deliberate, with fast footwork much like tap dancing. The dance is performed as a solo or couples dance. When performed by couples one partner leads, sets the pace and the step sequence. The lead changes from one partner to another and is characterized by a brief dramatic pause sometimes called feet dragging, and the dancers hold a pose. Castanets are used; there is foot stomping and finger snapping.

Evolution

Because the dance is eye catching and dramatic, the fandango has evolved in society as a slang word used to describe a spectacular quarrel or tomfoolery.

Place in Art

Whether performed by a ballet company or immortalized in a work of art, the fandango dance lives on. The "Famous Fandango" is a 1981 serigraph on paper vividly depicting a solo female fandango dancer. Six couples highlighting the conflict and resolution of two couples performed the world premiere of "Fandango Furiouso" by the American Repertory Ballet.

References

• WiseGeek: What is the Fandango
• Enforex: Spanish Dance History