Sevillanas
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Sevillanas is a type of folk music, sung and written in Seville (Andalusia) in Spain. Historically, they are a derivative of Castilian folk music, spiced with a bit of Arabic rhythm. Technically, they are an evolution from Castilian seguidillas, they have a relatively limited musical pattern, but rich lyrics, based on country side life, virgins, towns, neighbourhoods, pilgrimage and, of course, love themes. They are sung by a plethora of local groups, like Los Romeros de la Puebla, Los de Gines, Las corraleras de Utrera, Cantores de Hispalis, and Los del Rio. Every year, dozens of new sevillana discs are published.
Sevillanas can be heard in southern Spain, mainly, in fairs and festivals, including the famous Seville Fair, La Feria de Sevilla. There is an associated dance for the music: "Baile por sevillanas", consisting of four different parts. One can find schools teaching "baile por sevillanas" in nearly every town in Spain.
Generally speaking, sevillanas are very light and happy music. Historically, Sevillana dance is not a part of flamenco.
[edit] Sevillana
Sevillana is a popular flamenco-style dance from Seville. Its rhythm is 3/4 or better 6/8.
Sevillanas did not originate in Seville. It is an old folk dance, always danced during celebrations (fiestas or ferias), by couples of all ages and sexes, and often by whole families and 'pueblos'. Sevillanas choreography is very stable, and knowing it is very useful, since it is a fiesta dance. This is why learning flamenco usually starts with this particular dance: it is easier to reach a particular level and there are more occasions for practise and training (even for men).
Each sevillana is composed of 4 parts, with each part divided into 3 'coplas', and with each copla made up of 6 mouvements. It is a very vivid dance, often excluded from flamenco by "purists". Paradoxically, during spectacles and shows it is usually Sevillana dancing that ordinary people (not born in Andalusia) take for 'the real, true flamenco', as it is full of turns, flaunting and colourful skirts and in general- of joy.
