Theyâre Sacred Spaces for Spainâs Flamenco Scene. Many Wonât Survive Covid.
The intimate venues known as tablaos have mostly remained shuttered even as pandemic restrictions ease. That puts at risk a formative element of many flamenco performersâ careers.
Isabel Rodriguez, left, dancing this month at Las Tablas, a tablao in Madrid.Credit.Emilio Parra Doiztua for The New York Times
April 9, 2021, 6:12 a.m. ET
MADRID â Theyâre often in darkened, cavelike spaces, with a stage nestled among patronsâ tables and chairs. These small clubs, called tablaos, have acted as a springboard for generations of flamenco artists in Spain to launch professional careers, much in the way that many jazz musicians first came to the publicâs attention in the clubs of cities like New Orleans.