Aurora Vargas, La Macanita and Juana Amaya,
the trio which tops the bill at the 46th
'Potaje Gitano de Utrera' festival

Flamenco critic Miguel Acal passes away in Seville days before the festival's tribute

Flamenco-world.com

The old man of flamenco festivals demonstrates his vitality once again. 'El Potaje Gitano de Utrera' (The Utrera Gypsy Hotchpotch), to be held on 29th June 2002, brings together a triad of powerful flamenco women in the line-up for its forty-sixth edition, comprising cantaoras Aurora Vargas and La Macanita, and bailaora Juana Amaya. And the venue, Colegio de los Salesianos in Utrera, tucked away in the countryside of the province of Seville, will also be graced with the presence of Pansequito, Chato de Utrera, José de la Buena and current figures from the Utrera flamenco scene. This year the festival pays tribute to flamenco critic Miguel Acal, who has passed away days before Potaje's homage.

	La Macanita (Photo: Daniel Muñoz)

The homeland of Fernanda and Bernarda makes preparations once again to serve up its traditional recipe of brotherhood, the same one they've been serving for forty-six years. The flamenco music and dance aspect was originally conceived to encourage the Gypsy fraternity's Maundy Thursday devotions. Way back then, the first ever Potaje Gitano de Utrera used chickpeas, garlic cloves and wooden spoons alongside the fiesta flamenca to celebrate the start of the Easter processions. In 2002 the festival revolves around the cante of vocalist Aurora Vargas from Seville, La Macanita from Jerez, and Juana Amaya native of Morón de la Frontera.

The line-up also features vocal performances by Pansequito, from Cadiz, Chato de Utrera and José de la Buena. Also playing will be Antonio Moya, Pitín, Ramón Priego and Niño José Manuel. And to round off the programme there'll be performers from the current Utrera flamenco scene, featuring Luis del Marquesito and Tomás de Perrate to name but two.

Aside from the live shows, each edition of the festival pays homage to a figure from the world of the arts in general, and more specifically from the sphere of flamenco. This year Miguel Acal (Granada, 1945), veteran flamenco critic on Radio Nacional de España, is added to the list of flamenco figures to whom the festival has already paid tribute, including Antonio Mairena, Manolo Caracol, Pastora Imperio, Lola Flores, Curro Romero, Fernanda y Bernarda de Utrera, Rocío Jurado, Marifé de Triana, Perrate de Utrera, Bambino and Cristina Hoyos.

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