Tag: women

Artists paint live Flamenco dancing in Spanish Village!

Guitar music propels Flamenco dancers in Balboa Park's Spanish Village.
Guitar music propels Flamenco dancers in Balboa Park’s Spanish Village.

This afternoon I enjoyed watching some amazing Flamenco dancing. Balboa Park’s colorful Spanish Village, the home to many artist studios, hosted the special event. As beautifully dressed lady Flamenco dancers performed for the public, local artists at easels painted away!

Flamenco dancing is fiery, stately and proud. Each dance and dancer glowed with unabashed human emotion. The audience learned a little about the nature of this Spanish folk dance, but I was so mesmerized I failed to jot down many notes. I remember that one dance was said to represent defiant joy, another a representation of pure, carefree womanhood.

The public was invited to watch local artists painting a performance by the La Paloma Flamenco Dance Company.
The public was invited to watch local San Diego artists painting a performance by the La Paloma Flamenco Dance Company.
Crowd shouts and claps as the whirling ladies move their limbs and tap feet with graceful, fluid, precise abandon.
Crowd shouts and claps as the whirling ladies move their limbs and tap feet with graceful, fluid, joyful abandon.
The energetic Spanish folk dancing causes colorful fabric to fly and twirl like a gauzy dream.
The energetic Spanish folk dancing causes colorful fabric to fly and twirl like a gauzy dream.
A range of powerful human emotion is transmitted to the audience during each fantastic Flamenco dance.
A range of powerful human emotion is transmitted to the audience during each fantastic Flamenco dance.
A carefully watching artist has made a few sketches during the performance in Spanish Village.
A carefully watching artist has made a few sketches during the performance in Spanish Village.
I don't know how an artist can begin to capture the dynamism and detail of the colorful, kinetic dance!
I don’t know how an artist can begin to capture the dynamism and detail of the colorful, kinetic dance!
A local artist from Spanish Village in Balboa Park streaks color across a canvas. A skilled hand and eye produces the same bold living essence expressed by the dance.
A local artist from Spanish Village in Balboa Park streaks color across a canvas. A skilled hand and eye produces the same bold living essence expressed by the dance.

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Historical exhibit at Women’s Museum of California.

Important stories from local history are preserved at the Women’s Museum of California in Liberty Station.
Important stories from local history are preserved at the Women’s Museum of California.

The Women’s Museum of California is one of many cultural attractions that can be enjoyed at Liberty Station in Point Loma. I took some photos of a historical exhibit just outside their front door.

This unique museum was founded by Mary Maschal, a collector of memorabilia and artifacts pertaining to women. The collection has moved to different locations and evolved over the years; today it has grown into an important museum that features art shows, live performances, lectures and other educational events. Its mission is summarized by the slogan: Preserving the past…inspiring the future.

The women of Old Town, 1821-1872. Women and their families have lived in this area, called Cosoy by indigenous people, for over 10,000 years. This exhibit focuses on a short period.
The women of Old Town, 1821-1872. Women and their families have lived in this area, called Cosoy by indigenous people, for over 10,000 years. This exhibit focuses on a short period.
The historical experiences and accomplishments of local women are preserved at this unique San Diego museum.
The historical experiences and accomplishments of local women are preserved at this unique San Diego museum.
The Ipai and Tipai (Diegueño, Kumeyaay) resisted Christianity and the missions more than other indigenous Californians. Moved off their land, the women worked in the town and ranchos.
The Ipai and Tipai (Diegueño, Kumeyaay) resisted Christianity and the missions more than other indigenous Californians. Moved off their land, the women worked in the town and ranchos.
The few women in Old Town had more opportunities to earn money than in the Eastern U.S. They did traditional work--laundry, baking, cooking, sewing, tending to children and livestock.
The few women in Old Town had more opportunities to earn money than in the Eastern U.S. They did traditional work: laundry, baking, cooking, sewing, tending to children and livestock.
Settlers contributed to San Diego's complex society after 1830. Women arrived alone and with family after a difficult trip by stagecoach and ship.
Settlers contributed to San Diego’s complex society after 1830. Women arrived alone and with family after a difficult trip by stagecoach and ship.
Californios were a diverse group whose culture created el pueblo San Diego. They were descendants of mixed Spanish and indigenous peoples, often given land grants by Mexico.
Californios were a diverse group whose culture created el pueblo San Diego. They were descendants of mixed Spanish and indigenous peoples, often given land grants by Mexico.
Old photographs in an artifact that helps modern San Diegan's remember their rugged, fascinating past.
Old photographs in an artifact help modern San Diegans remember their rugged, fascinating past.

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