Concert in Sonoma - Gipsy Kings at Weill Hall

Everytime I hear Flamenco music, my memories of my travels to Spain comes alive. This is probably why The Gipsy Kings is one of my favorite Flamenco groups. 

They were in the area just recently and Mijo was able to get us tickets to their concert at Sonoma State University's Weill Hall. While watching their concert, it felt like I was in Spain.

The Gipsy Kings had their concert at Weill Hall at Sonoma State University on a Wednesday night so Mijo and I have to leave the city early enough to beat the traffic. To get there before 7:30pm, we left the city before 5pm. The traffic was not that bad after we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge.

[read about my travels to Spain in my Bakasyonista blog]

We met Claudia by the University entrance. No bottled water or any liquids are allowed inside. We had brought a bottle of wine and a couple of bottles of water but we left them in the car. I guess we had to buy them inside.

The stage is insde the auditorium, though, we thought the concert is better enjoyed from the lawn. Picnic while watching the concert.

The Sons of The Gypsy Kings opened the concert.  I was told they are the actual sons of the Kings. The Sons sang songs of The Gipsy Kings and they do sound like the Kings. Theirs was more of unplugged version of the real songs. The melodies and the wine country weather of Sonoma took me back to my travels in Spain. 

The best thing about being on the lawn, we had a picnic spread.

Claudia brough this delicious cheese from Cow Girl Creamery.

We bought a bottle of Chateau St. Jean 2011 Pinot Noir from the concession of the University.

There was a short break after The Sons of The Gipsy Kings performed before the main act.

Though they didn't sing my favorite song Trista Pena, they played a lot of familiar songs.

And that more than made up for it. The sound of guitars and flamenco vocals were so soothing. Since I had memorized some of their songs, I was able to sing along with them.

The Kings spoke a sentence or two in Spanish and a couple of phrases in French. I am not sure if the Kings speak a lot of English but it would have been wonderful to know some background of each song and what was on their mind that evening.

I took a look inside the Weill Hall. It is a modern auditorium with brown wood panels and chairs.

Thank you Sonoma State University and The Gipsy Kings for an enjoyable night of flamenco music.

Now, I feel like going to Spain agian. Maybe. :)

~rl