ADVENTURES OF FREDDY FLAMENCO LOVER

Peña Flamenca Torres Macarena

Sevilla, Spain

Hear from Freddy about his experience attending one of Sevilla’s most iconic peñas, and get a tip on how to snag tickets given the peña’s eternal waitlist.

In 1974, the Peña Flamenca Torres Macarena was founded, and in all these years they’ve had legendary singers, dancers, and guitarists–name an artist, any artist, and you’ll surely find them in the library archives housed on the first floor of the peña.

Recently, I was lucky enough to attend the peña’s annual Concurso de Baile (dance competition) where they give young people a stage. I watched each and every contestant and the level of artistry was very high. Andalucía guarantees that–it’s one of the reasons I am living here, to enjoy that talent. In my whole time living here, I’ve never seen a bad show.

Here at Torres Macarena, they have two dance events and two singing events a week. The cost is low, less than 10 euros a ticket, but getting a ticket sure isn’t easy.* The peña has 130 socios (members) who pay monthly fees to guarantee seats at the shows. The lista de espera (waiting list) is 60 people long. I joke that only when someone dies is there a chance to become a member.

I go every single Wednesday and Sunday to the great Peña Flamenca Torres Macarena–may we all meet here one day!

*Juan, Paco, and Jesus are always manning the door––if you get to know them and come a couple hours early, you just might get a ticket!