INTERVIEW With Peña Trieste host Daniel Torres

Peña Trieste What is a peña?

Daniel Torres: A gathering of friends who share interests - it's like a club in the original sense - a chess club, a political club, a performance artists' club, a gourmands', et al -we get together, and do what we do, which is flamenco. It's sort of like 'Cheers', with music and dancing.

Peña Trieste: Can anyone join?

Daniel: Anyone can come in - participation is a bit different. Usually we get to know each other, chat, see how we hit it off - chemistry is key. Anyone who knows flamenco can jump in, pero que sea flamenco, no seáis pesados.

Peña Trieste: What will you do there? Why do we need a peña?

Daniel: The Bay Area is full of aficionados - artists, advanced students, former artists, people who do flamenco for reasons other than career or talent or heritage... for emotional expression, therapeutic value, cultural interest, or a combination thereof. Or a pure love of the art. Or the fun - por el gusto. We need a place to gather periodically and share in a supportive environment. We used to go to the Albatross when Keni played there, but it was too late, and they weren't as supportive of dancing. (Caffe) Trieste is supportive of the arts, and we hope to get some people who might not normally make it with the early schedule.

What we do will depend on who shows up. If the artists come we might do an impromptu mini-tablao recital, or we might only sing fandangos. Or sevillanas. Or discuss flamenco art - have a slide show w/ LCD, DVD, widescreen, followed by a discussion and a set of music. Or a dance contest, a cajón café night- or a flamenco cooking show. Maybe a flamenco - soccer debate.: are they mutually supportive or antagonistic? We'll work out our differences, artistically.

Peña Trieste: Who are you? Are you qualified? Why come?

Daniel: I was asked to do this by patrons of Trieste, one of three Bay Area franchises of the original in North Beach. I'm into my 20th year in flamenco, and I frankly don't want to wait for the next juerga, that's maybe twice a year at best. I've accompanied many singers and dancers in concerts and workshops, like Roberto Amarral, Juan Talavera, Lourdes Rodriguez, Jesus Montoya, La Tania, Concha Vargas, Agustin Rios, Chinin De Triana, and Rubina Valenzuela. I learned guitar and accompaniment from Paco and Yolanda Arroyo; later Agustín Ríos became my maestro. He also showed me cante. It was Cris Carnes who really insisted that I sing. Lately, I've worked with Carolina Lugo and Carolé, as well as with Virginia and Antonio Juan, que en paz descanse. We'll be at the Trieste the last Sunday of every month from 5-8; I'll host the peña over the next few months, then see if we continue; maybe we'll rotate, invite other artists to take over a month, as a sort of community service/performance space.

Peña Trieste ¿Gitano o andaluz? ¿Puro o nuevo? ¿Sevilla o Cádiz? ¿Madrid o Barcelona? ¿Morón o Jerez? ¿San Francisco o Albuquerque? Fugitive peasant or foppish Fleme?

Daniel: Take your pick - we'll do it all. In October we hope to look at the darker side of flamenco - Africa, Latin, Middle Eastern, modern influences, religion, politics, social commentary, etc. - followed by a fashion show. Some activity may be WiFi'd in - we're still working out the details, the Cafe's website should be up this month again - stay tuned.

Peña Trieste How's the grub?

Daniel: Great - nice food, beer on taps, friendly service, atmosphere, the coffee - ni decir.

Paintings by Patricia Velasquez

at a juerga with Lourdes Rodriguez, Basilio and Keith 'Antonio Amador' Baylor

at la Carbonería with Mario Escudero

at Basilio and Pilar's juerga with la Peña Andaluza, Jesus and Suaya Montoya

backstage with Jesus and Kambiz

at Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara with El Pollito and Ana Galindo

Maestro Agustín Ríos playing Dani's guitar at a private juerga in Santa Barbara