After breakdancing and JS Bach came together in perfect harmony at Red Bull Flying Bach in Berlin, it’s the turn of Flamenco and, erm, BMX Flatland in Granada, Spain. Here’s everything you wanted to know about Red Bull Flamenco Flatland…
Flamenco...
Is one of the most Spanish of traditions and has been shaped, moulded and enhanced down the centuries by the country’s various settlers and invaders, including the Moors, Arabs, Jews and Gypsies.
BMX Flatland...
Flatland is an urban sport where riders complete tricks and manoeuvres on their bicycles to the rhythm of music. The result is a kind of choreography on wheels in which balance is paramount as the cardinal rule is that the riders cannot put their feet on the ground.
World
Champion...
A collection of the world’s leading BMX Flatlanders, including the reigning world champion Matthias Dandois from France and Spanish champion Viki Gómez as well as Takahiro Ikeda from Japan will be taking part in Granada.
Judges...
Rafael Amargo is a leading choreographer and flamenco dancer, who combines traditional Flamenco with modern dance. He and his troupe will be judging how well the cyclists combine BMX with dance.
Art...
Spanish champion Viki Gomez says BMX Flatland is a “struggle between mind, gravity and balance.
“Flatland has got a lot of art in it. We don’t see it as a sport but as a form of expression”, he explains. “I have always trained listening to music and most of it was flamenco so when we met Red Bull to find a new path for the Flatland, the bond between both worlds emerged naturally.”
And according to the choreographer: “I think Flatland is a discipline with a solid aesthetic and style,” says Amargo. “I’m 100% sure both worlds have got a lot in common and we’re now exploring the way to merge everything together and come up with a great show.”
Competition...
It’s a Flatland competition but with the emphasis on finding the rider who comes up with the best mix of Flamenco and BMX, rather than the best tricks. In each round, a flamenco dancer will dance to a piece of music and then challenge one of the riders to perform to the same piece. The judges will be looking for best tricks, best interpretation and overall impression. The top three riders will advance to the final round.
World Heritage...
The Red Bull Flamenco Flatland is taking place in the magnificent Palacio de los Córdova in Granada, a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Rafa is from Granada and the city has a centuries-old Flamenco tradition and has produced many of Spain’s finest singers/musicians and dancers.
Watch this video to find out even more about Red Bull Flamenco Flatland.
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