Anthea McGibbon, Gleaner Writer

Maribel Ramos dances at 'An Evening of Flamenco' at The Jamaica Pegasus, on Tuesday. - Contributed Photos

Last Tuesday, the Spanish showed exactly what they can do to an audience of more than 500 patrons at 'An Evening of Flamenco', at the Jamaica Pegasus.

Organised by Suzie Berry, a Jamaican who lived in Spain, patrons were treated to the best of Spanish culture under the patronage of Spanish Ambassador to Jamaica, Jesús Silva.

The evening's performance opened with the red-and-black-clad dancers Maribel Ramos and Oscar de los Reyes in a passionate interpretation of Farruca, a love story.

Though it seemed the pair sometimes danced in a world of their own, the lone voice of Jesús Corbacho easily engaged the audience's compassion and set the pace for the acts which followed, including the selections of Manuel Lombo, special guest artiste.

"Oohs!" and "Ahhs!" drifted from the patrons, who were also caught up in lessons in typical Spanish clapping. Rhythmic claps, finger snapping and foot tapping accompanied the strumming of guitarists Javier and Oscar.

Gypsy for a moment, Ramos was elegant, graceful and well poised in solo Alegría in which she seductively cast her spell to make her audience happy. De los Reyes later celebrated excellence in his solo Solea Por Bulería. He heavily engaged his audience with this piece.

Guest artiste

Then it was up to guest artiste Manuel Lombo to relate ballads, some tragic. The longest ballad was about the death of the once-famous bullfighter, Joselito el Gallo, while the other songs were of love.

An Evening of Flamenco brought Jamaicans and the Spanish together for a festive exchange.

Those in attendance included: Ambassador Jesús and Sara Silva and their three children, Fernando, Alfonso and Oliva, Mrs Silva, mother of the ambassador also attended. Guests included Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall and Lady Hall, Lorna Golding, Minister of Culture Babsy Grange, American Ambassador Brenda La Grange Johnson, Juan Carlos Gafo, chief of protocol to the prime minister of Spain, Chris Blackwell, Tony and Sheila Hart, Paul and Oriente Issa with their daughter Abra, dressed in a flamenco dress.

P.J. Stewart, Yvette Fontaine, Sean Paul, Russell and Carole Hadeed, Jenny Greaves, the fabulous Edith Desnoes with her daughters Joan McConnell and Rosie McIver, Tracy Matalon with her daughter Ally and grandmother Rosa Melhado, Marguerite Orane, Deborah Lopez, Anthony and Jeannie Watson, Neil and Marie Chin with their adorable daughters, Lauren, Lianne and Rachel, Dame Julie Mendoza of the Embassy of Spain, Marie Matthews, Blossom Ormsby, Monica Ladd and her daughter Alex, Andrew and Debbie Issa with their lovely daughter Isabella.

Saoirse Godfrey tries the flamenco with Fernando and Alfonso Silva, sons of His Excellency Jesús Silva, at 'An Evening of Flamenco', at the Jamaica Pegasus, on Tuesday.