From Flamenco to Sevillanas to Sardana, traditional Spanish music has a rich and ever evolving scene that is inextricably linked to dance and entertainment.

Flamenco is probably the most famous of Spanish music with its world-famous dresses, that signature beat and the almost obligatory guitar player driving the dance forward from melancholy music to upbeat rhythms and eye-wateringly fast dance steps. Whether it's a solo act or a group, Flamenco is generally easy to find and enjoy in local villages, tourist resorts and even at local festivals. Flamenco is deeply rooted in Andalucia's history and heritage and its origins can be found in the gypsy cultures of Andalucia. Flamenco consists of three distinct elements: the 'cante' or song, sung by the dancer or guitarist, the 'toque' which is the guitar playing and finally the 'baile', the Spanish word for dance. There are several types of Flamenco from Classical to Modern. Local theatres will often put on classical Flamenco shows whilst Modern Flamenco shows are undertaken by dancers who, like Classical Ballet dancers, study the art for many years.

Unlike Flamenco, Sardana is designed to be danced in a circular group. Sardana originated in Cataluña and it is believed to have first become popular in the 16th century with an explosion in popularity in the 19th century, at which point the dance soon spread across the Catalan region. Danced in a group with members of the group holding hands, it is accompanied by a 'cobla'. The 'cobla' is the name of the band that plays the music to dance to, and it is made up of ten wind instruments, a double bass and a small drum called a 'tambori'. Sardana was banned under Franco, however, the tradition continued and in 2010 the Catalan government declared it a dance of national interest. If you take a trip to Barcelona you can often see the Sardana being danced both formally by professional dancers in the town centre and informally by locals on a Sunday afternoon in a local square or park.

Another music and dance form that is popular in Spain is Sevillanas, a dance that originated in the 15th century under the 'Reyes Católicos' or Catholic Kings. It looks similar to Flamenco in style and clothing and it is often taught as a pre-cursor to Flamenco. Until the 1950s Sevillanas was a local dance for local people. Predominantly sung and danced in local villages, it grew in popularity as recordings were made and sold within Spain. Sevillanas is split into four or seven verses or 'coplas' and is often accompanied by castanets and of course, a guitar. Sung at festivals and in the ferias in April and May in Andalucia, it's easy to find and even try for yourself if you buy a holiday home in the south of Spain.

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