Flamenco master teaches workshops

By Sandy RyanPrint Story | Email Story
Alejandro Granados will lead Flamenco dance workshops at Edin Hill
STOCKBRIDGE — Renowned flamenco dancer Alejandro Granados will give workshops in flamenco for beginner and intermediate dancers on Oct. 2 through Oct. 5 at Eden Hill Recreation Center. Rosalia Pedilla, who is organizing the event, says this is a rare opportunity for area dancers who want to learn flamenco, no matter what their previous experience. "Granados is one of the masters of flamenco," said Pedilla, adding that the workshops will be a valuable introduction to the traditional Spanish dance. Alejandro Granados has toured the world as a soloist for Madrid's Ballet Español and was a member of the National Spanish Ballet. His visit to the United States includes an East Coast tour with flamenco artist Maria Benitez and her company. Granados, who spoke through a translator, from Philadelphia, the first stop of the tour, said he did not receive any formal training in flamenco. When he was young, there were very few workshops, which is not true now. He grew up studying ballet and traditional dance, and did not become serious about flamenco until he was about 18. "I was able to watch many of the great masters of flamenco, who inspired me," he said. "We just watched and learned." Granados' dancing style comes from his early ballet training but also from one of Spain’s regional dances, a style known as “cante jondo,” which he has taught for over 15 years. “Cante jondo” or "deep song" is the "roots music" of flamenco, a passionate and particularly Spanish form that has profoundly influenced many Western musicians, artists and dancers. Granados is considered one of the most accomplished dancers of cante jondo. When asked what he considered to be the most important aspects of flamenco, Granados laughed. "That's a question it will take three or four days to answer, in the workshops," he said. He loves to show the roots and history of flamenco dance. "It is simple in what it is, but it is also a way of life. There is a passion in it." He is teaching workshops in Stockbridge because of his friendship with Padilla and his love of teaching. "It is my work, yes, but I feel it is also important to give people what I feel is the true essence of flamenco dance.” The workshops at Eden Hill will be Thursday through Saturday evenings, with the final class on Sunday morning. Comfortable clothes are appropriate. The full workshop is $100 for either level; a single class is $28. Information and registration: 413-528-4584.
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Lanesborough Fifth-Graders Win Snowplow Name Contest

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — One of the snowplows for Highway District 1 has a new name: "The Blizzard Boss."
 
The name comes from teacher Gina Wagner's fifth-grade class at Lanesborough Elementary School. 
 
The state Department of Transportation announced the winners of the fourth annual "Name A Snowplow" contest on Monday. 
 
The department received entries from public elementary and middle school classrooms across the commonwealth to name the 12 MassDOT snowplows that will be in service during the 2025/2026 winter season. 
 
The purpose of the contest is to celebrate the snow and ice season and to recognize the hard work and dedication shown by public works employees and contractors during winter operations. 
 
"Thank you to all of the students who participated. Your creativity allows us to highlight to all, the importance of the work performed by our workforce," said  interim MassDOT Secretary Phil Eng.  
 
"Our workforce takes pride as they clear snow and ice, keeping our roads safe during adverse weather events for all that need to travel. ?To our contest winners and participants, know that you have added some fun to the serious take of operating plows. ?I'm proud of the skill and dedication from our crews and thank the public of the shared responsibility to slow down, give plows space and put safety first every time there is a winter weather event."
 
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