The countdown to stepping onto the albero has begun. Only a few weeks to go until the entrance gates light up, and that question we ask ourselves every year is back on our minds: "Will I finally get up and dance this year?".
At SevillaLover we want the answer to be a resounding YES. No more standing in the corner of the marquee holding your drink. This year you're going to be the centre of the dance floor, and the best part is you can start practising today, at your own pace and without spending a single euro.
Note down these tips, clear a little space in the living room and get ready to take the plunge.
The anatomy of the Sevillanas
To lose your fear of them, the first thing you should know is that the dance is divided into four sevillanas (four verses). Take it easy and start with the first, which is the foundation of everything:
- The First (The Meeting): This is the introduction, where the paseíllos and simple passes stand out.
- The Second (The Seduction): Closer and more flirtatious. Here the crossovers and turns take centre stage.
- The Third (The Deception or Quarrel): The rhythm becomes more intense, marked by the famous zapateado and the crossing in profile.
- The Fourth (The Reconciliation): The most spectacular, full of quick turns (careos) to finish with the classic final pose (the desplante).
3 key tips before you start
- The famous "Paseíllo": This is the basic step. You move forward with one foot, tap with the toe of the other and step back. Mastering this means you've got 50% of the dance done.
- The arm movement: Remember the classic trick that never fails: "I pick the apple from the tree (up), I bite it (to the chest) and I throw it away (down)." The arms go inward on the way up and outward on the way down.
- Attitude is everything: A sevillana danced with style, head held high and a smile is worth a thousand times more than perfect but robotic technique.
Your virtual teachers: Practise with professionals
You don't need to sign up for an academy to take your first steps. We've prepared a series of short, easy, straight-to-the-point tutorials on our own channel so you can learn at your own pace. Clear a little space in the living room, and hit play!:
Join our community! 💃🕺 If you want to keep learning and discover the best plans in the city, follow us on TikTok (@sevillalovercom). We post new content every week so you can experience the city like a true local. See you in the comments!
Time to practise!
Practice makes perfect. Spend a little time each afternoon, stand in front of the mirror with these videos and you'll see how in a couple of weeks you have the first one mastered. See you at the Real!
