S i ·OS La Zuppa offers Flamenco Music and more * I've never been to Spain, but I kinda like the music.' - HoytAxton F l a m e n c o , the gypsy music of s o u t h e r n S p a i n , is p a s s i o n a t e a n d c o m p e l l i n g . It is r o o t e d i n the S p a n i s h a n d M o o r i s h t r a d i t i o n s w i t h a l o n g ago connection to India. The sound of the guitar and the voice of the cantaor conjure up r o m a n t i c images. A d d to this the r h y t h m i c tapping of the dancer as she provides a counter-beat all the time swishing her brightly coloured skirt. Doesn't it make you want to hop on the next plane to Andalucía? Save the a i r f a r e ! There 's live F l a m e n c o m u s i c i n N o r t h Vancouver. La Z u p p a , a popular Lonsdale l u n c h d e s t i n a t i o n , t r a n s f o r m s itself every F r i d a y evening. O u t come the crisp table clothes, candles and tall glasses. The menu switches from soup and sandwiches to delectable tapas and desserts served w i t h a fine selection of C h i l e a n w i n e s . Deep red Sangria is available by the pitcher. If you don't look out the w i n d o w , y o u might t h i n k that y o u are i n Spain. P r o p r i e t o r s J u a n C a r l o s Paez and V i c t o r i a B a k i c h started the F r i d a y n i g h t concerts six years a g o . T h e y w a n t e d to recreate the a t m o s p h e r e of the Mediterranean tapa bars. Their philosophy is, " E a t w e l l , share time w i t h y o u r f r i e n d s , enjoy m u s i c , laughter and good conversation. C o n c e r n yourself with the things that really matter and all w i l l be well in our w o r l d . " The casual friendly atmosphere in the cozy café encourages the same k i n d of c o m m u n i t y spirit f o u n d in Spain and the d e l i c i o u s f o o d is all made on site w i t h fresh healthy ingredients, artistic flair and lots of love. It wasn't until the early 19th century that Flamenco was accepted in polite society as café entertainment. B e f o r e t h a t , the v i b r a n t m u s i c a n d d a n c e was s h u n n e d because of its a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h gypsies. T o d a y , due to its w o r l d - w i d e p o p u l a r i t y , people naturally consider Flamenco the t r a d i t i o n a l music of Spain. A t L a Z u p p a , N o r t h V a n c o u v e r a r t i s t J u a n de M a r i a s , a native of Spain, is the current mainstay of the Flamenco shows. H i s guitar playing is fluid and 'ti Siurte c a p t i v a t i n g . H e sings w i t h a clear beautiful voice w h i c h embodies the gypsy s p i r i t . Each week he is joined by various other flamenco musicians, singers and dancers. O n Saturday evenings, Paez and B a k i c h bring in local jazz artists, classical performers, folk singers, s t o r y t e l l e r s a n d even a R u s s i a n m i m e . A c o u p l e of y o u n g w o m e n f r o m the C a p i l a n o College Jazz p r o g r a m have become p o p u l a r f a v o u r i t e s ; O r i t h Fogel a n d M e l i s s a H a m m e r c a l l themselves O M , t a k i n g the first letters from their names. Hammer, who has recently graduated, plays the trumpet as well as anyone on the circuit these days. Fogel excels o n b o t h the e l e c t r i c a n d s t a n d - u p bass, s i n g i n g p o p u l a r jazz s t a n d a r d s a n d o r i g i n a l tunes w i t h her o w n unique style. The musical conversation of trumpet and scat is nothing short of genius. P a e z a n d B a k i c h w a n t to b u i l d t h i s m u s i c a l c o m m u n i t y i n the heart of N o r t h Vancouver. It is their way of supporting the arts. "Society can't exist without the arrs," Bakich believes. They also host a WHAT: Live Music WHERE: La Zuppa, 1544 Lonsdale INFO: 604.986.6556 20 November|December