This account recalls the performance on 10 July 2026 and was first published on 12 July that year. “Now”, the pain and the rest refer to my personal experience at that time.

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On July 10, 2026, I performed at “Los Viernes Flamencos” at Alhambra in Nishi-Nippori. From my morning stretches to the rehearsal, the performance and the journey home, this is my memory of a very special day.

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The morning and meeting up with the artists

As I do almost every day, I got up early and spent about an hour preparing my body with stretches. For me, it is more than a physical routine: it is also a way to breathe, clear my head and get ready for what lies ahead. Afterwards, I headed to Alhambra for the rehearsal.

There I met up with my dear friend and wonderful artist Emilio Maya, and the outstanding flamenco singer Miguel de Badajoz. One of the loveliest things about these events is reconnecting with artists and colleagues with whom you share a stage, a craft, memories and a deep way of living flamenco.

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A rehearsal full of artistry

Benito García, Jitan Suzuki, Mariko Nakahara, Masako Ishikawa, Nobue Kurosu and Yoko Oba all came together. Besides being wonderful artists, they are wonderful people. I enjoyed watching the tientos, guajira and soleá por bulerías pieces they had each prepared. It was a relaxed rehearsal, full of artistry, laughter and camaraderie.

There was one particularly moving moment for me: for the first time, I was able to share the stage and the tablao with Nobue Kurosu, my student and also a teacher at our studio. During the rehearsal, she stayed close by, taking photos of me, recording videos and cheering me on.

Some moments may seem small from the outside, but for a teacher, they hold a whole lifetime.

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The pain began as I started the soleá

When I began my footwork, I felt a very sharp pain in one of the toes on my left foot. The toe turned purple, I could barely move it, and even the slightest touch hurt terribly. Even so, I kept rehearsing, enjoying Emilio Maya’s guitar and Miguel de Badajoz’s singing.

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An outfit bringing Japan and Andalusia together

That day I danced in an outfit designed by my dear friend Manami Yoshida (@kissaragi_tokiomoda), with whom I have shared more than twenty years of friendship. The design featured an obi around the waist and beautifully expressed an essential part of my life: Japan and Andalusia meeting on the same stage.

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More than forty of my students in the audience

Among the more than one hundred people filling Alhambra were more than forty of my students. It is hard to explain the happiness a teacher feels when so many students choose to come and watch him dance. After my family, they hold one of the most important places in my life. To me, they are family too.

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When the music ended

While I was dancing, I forgot about the pain, but after the show I found it very difficult to walk. I had to ask for help to have my car picked up and brought home. Now I am writing these words with my foot raised, resting and remembering all the beautiful moments of that day.

My heartfelt thanks to everyone who came from Gunma, to the members and subscribers of my YouTube channel, to my fellow performers, to Manami-san and to the whole Alhambra team, who always welcome me with a smile.

My body came home aching, but my heart came home dancing.

Benito García

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