ALL PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER SCALZI/DISTILLED STUDIO
Juana in all her Gloriousness
Clap. ClapClapClapClapClap!
Si. SiSiSiSiSi!
HAIR/MU: NATALIA THOMAS
“Street wear” can NOT contain this …
GLORIOUS PROFESSION: Flamenco Bailaora y Coreógrafa — ¡Ole!
GLORIOUS PERSONA: A Flamenco Power House Who Never, Ever Thinks About Her Age
GLORIOUS QUALITIES: Born Leader, Reinvention Queen, Truth Teller
GLORIOUS PHILOSOPHY:
“Every time I dance I celebrate my body with the same kind of love that you can feel — it’s not an actual orgasm — but it’s very close. ”
I strolled into the tablao — expecting a good show, sure. But. Juana was something else. That heat. That confidence. That — oh just you wait and see …
She tore down the house.And Juana Cala stomped her way — guitars, percussion, palmas aside, into my Glorious imagination.
I had to know — who is this Spanish Queen? Turns out: She's a Broad from Long Island who has traveled the world only to end right back in her hometown. This strong willed girl became both a renowned choreographer and star dancer — then she renounced diva-hood (oooo that’s hard) to return to NYC. Just when you think she can't get cooler: these days she's using flamenco to connect with kids with autism. And it all began out on Long Guyland -- check out Juana's story....
WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THIS SENSATION ROSALIA? LOVED WHEN SHE APPEARED ON SNL AND STOLE THE SHOW!
If someone like Rosalia comes along — even if they look a little pseudo — who cares!? They are bringing flamenco to a wider audience — a younger audience — and that’s what matters.
YOU DON’T FEEL PROTECTIVE ABOUT THE PURITY OF THE ART FORM?
Hell no! Flamenco is a niche art. And when someone young and cool comes along — and everybody who isn’t in our world sees her and says “You know — that is really Spanish-ey” (laughs) and they start talkin flamenco, they’re coming to your gigs and sending their daughter to your dance class. Yes! We can survive — we may even thrive for a few years on this trend!
WHAT ABOUT HER MUSIC? YOU LIKE?
I love her. She’s a little quirky — a little freaky — her take on the white veil — it’s close enough! She’s smart and she updates it. And far from the first — remember Madonna?
WORSHIP. WHO INSPIRED YOU BACK IN THE DAY?
Joaquin Cortes changed the game. He launched shirtless and sexy for his ‘92 world tour — put a classy element to it — a new twist. And he had a thing with Naomi Campbell by the by. It was a huge jump for Flamenco in this country. Before that, they mostly called it FlamenGO. (laughs)
WHAT PULLED YOU TOWARD FLAMENCO?
I really got into it fast. I could do the turns and the jumps ‘cause I had that footing from ballet. But I was so taken by the flamenco singing — a cassette was given to me for my first solo performance. I was in my parent’s bathroom when I heard it — and vowed: I will never do ANYTHING but flamenco.
A LITTLE SCARLETT O’HARA …
DID YOU HAVE A GOOD MENTOR?
There were two — both 10 years older than me and once I made it clear that this was what I wanted to do — they were like — ok — you better get on it. Off to Madrid for 4 months — where to get the good shoes — where to buy a costume — so I was very coddled.
HOW OLD WERE YOU?
22
WAS THE DECISION AT ALL PRACTICAL – THERE IS MORE LONGEVITY AS A DANCER IN FLAMENCO THAN BALLET, NO?
Not practical. It was my calling. But I will say — with ballet — age 28 — you’re done. You’re lucky if you don’t get injured. With flamenco — you can dance until you can’t walk any more.
“I love Rosalia. She’s a little quirky — a little freaky. Her take on the white veil? It’s close enough. She’s smart and she updates it. And far from the first — remember Madonna?”
WHEN DID YOU FIRST THINK YOU WANTED TO DANCE?
My whole life.
BUT LET’S GET A LITTLE DEEPER ABOUT FLAMENCO. WHAT PULLED YOU IN? YOU’RE A NEW YAWKUH!
I’ll tell you: When I was younger — I had a very conflictual relationship with authority — and so did the Spanish Gypsies — now known as the Romani — made to feel they did not even have the same rights as regular Spaniards. Now I don’t claim to be Romani. But I could identify with them. I knew I had a strong voice inside me — and flamenco allowed me to speak with that voice.
SO IT WAS MAINLY ABOUT THUMBING YOUR NOSE...?
For me — what I loved — this is not something that you just reach a certain level and you’re good to go. This is something that you’re going to have to always work at. A challenge. Forever. That really appealed to me.
DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A TRADITIONAL FLAMENCO DANCER?
I dance in traditional and I dance more modern when the syncopations change — it’s like jazz drumming. A great jazz drummer today — he doesn’t sound like Buddy Rich — though Buddy Rich was great. Its chops — it’s all about chops.
LET’S TALK ABOUT THE ROMANI DANCERS, WHAT WE USED TO CALL “GYPSY”. WHY DO I FEEL THAT THEY ARE THE MOST AUTHENTIC DANCERS? IS THAT MYTH? OR REALITY?
The two styles have always been very separate. It is not that the Romani dance any better — it is just a different style.
LIKE?
They learn through family. The mother sings — the aunt dances — the uncle plays guitar — the showmanship — the wow factor — is solidly there. They’re all hard-core dancers.
The others go to an academy. They learn to become “Professionals”
“With Ballet: Age 28. You’re done. With flamenco? You can dance until you can’t walk any more. ”
DID YOU HAVE ONE DANCING MUSE?
I had a few. But my muses were usually men.
Gender Bending Flamenco
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MALE AND FEMALE DANCERS. TO ME, FEMALES LOOK MORE REACTIVE — AND MALES MORE AGGRESSIVE. IS THAT TOO PAT?
That may be the dancer’s personality — or how they feel that moment. Flamenco is so deeply related to who you are — to what you are living and going through. There is no right or wrong.
INTERESTING. UNDERSTAND — THERE IS A YOUNG FLAMENCO MAN I LOVE AND HE IS QUITE MACHO SO I ASSUMED IT WAS GENDER BASED.
It has always been gender fluid. Always.
There are women who dance much more like a man than I do. I keep both in my dance in every style. There will be moments when I will be more introverted and use my hips and hands — but I don’t think I am being more of a female or more of a man. I’m being me — in that moment.
I THINK I TOLD YOU THAT I WORKED A LOT IN SPAIN – AND I SAW THE MACHO-NESS IN THAT SOCIETY. BUT THAT IS NOT INCORPORATED INTO THIS DANCE YOU ARE SAYING. SO INTERESTING.
Well, women rule the roost in the dance world.
WHY DO OLDER FLAMENCO DANCERS LAST SO LONG? TO ME — IT LOOKS SO TOUGH ON THE HIPS AND FEET.
I think it is because it is a very earth-bound form of dance. The movements are in a natural realm. I mean — you put your leg over your head in ballet. That’s not natural. You're gonna get injured. And flamenco dancers don’t jump. It is the jumping that’s hard on the hips and the knees. But, I can assure you, no dancer has pretty feet (laughs) …
SO — WHY CHOREOGRAPHY? WHEN DID THAT APPEAL TO YOU?
Oh please — when I was 5 years old. The entire track of Lara’s theme from Dr. Zhivago. I choreographed and danced the whole thing for my poor parents. Under the tables, over the couch …
AN ARTIST IS BORN.
WERE YOU THE ONLY GIRL IN YOUR FAMILY?
Yes. I’m the oldest and the only girl. So I’m a born leader.
AND MARIAH CAREY SHAPED YOUR LIFE PATH?? — TELL US EVERYTHING ...
She did! I was on hiatus and supposed to go back on tour, living with my boyfriend — and took a job at the cosmetic counter at Macys. I was already fed up with that job — feeling off my path — getting worried, scared — is this all there is? When Mariah walks in.
WAS SHE ALREADY A STAR?
She was a budding singer at this time — and a friend of the guy who ran the Macy’s counter. Frank. I will never forget his name because I am forever grateful to Frank. Mariah wants to learn how to do her makeup. I was 27 and she about 19. And — I remember it so clearly — I am doing her face and she was positively lit up – oozing with joy and hope about her future — and I said to myself — that’s what you’re supposed to do — feel that way — you have to go after it. Nothing is gonna come to you at this makeup counter, girl. So I quit. I packed my bags. And I went to Europe.
GOD I LOVE THAT STORY …
“Women rule the roost in the dance world.”
TELL US THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FLAMENCO AND SEX. IT LOOKS SO HOOOOOTTTTT …
Well, you have to get down lower — very open — you move your hips a lot. Every time I dance I celebrate my body with the same kind of love that you can feel — it’s not an actual orgasm — but it’s very close.
WOULD YOU SAY YOU ARE A FEMINIST?
Very much so.
WHY SO?
I got to see my mother metamorphosize. My parents separated when I was 12 — and she was a stay-at-home mom. She fell a part — and I took over as head of the household. But then: She got it together. Made it on her own. With three kids! That was the green light for me that — yeah — you can try to do whatever you want to do in your life.
The Leader of the Pack
THAT’S A LOT FOR A KID. WERE THERE OTHER LESSONS IN THERE?
I will not be told what to do by a man. I love them. But I never feel like I need a man. Ever.
Meanwhile, my parents got back together after 13 years. Happily until the very end.
“Right now is my favorite time — but you know what? I remember saying that 10 years ago.”
DID YOU DREAM AT 14 YOU WOULD BE THE GLORIOUS BROAD THAT YOU ARE TODAY?
I think I was already telling myself: You better damn well be.
ANY DESIRE TO BE 20 AGAIN?
You know I really don’t — I wouldn’t mind being 45 again. (Laughs.)
WHAT IS SUCCESS TO YOU NOW?
Feeling good about myself. After a performance. I'm loving the jazz singing I’m doing now.
I already had a case of fame in Italy — and made a conscious decision to walk away …
HOLD ON. YOU DIDN'T LIKE BEING FAMOUS AND SUCCESSFUL?
I didn’t like who I was any more. That was one reason I started singing again instead of the dance and choreography I was known for. I purposely set out to humble myself.
BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE ADULATING YOU?
Yes, I was in a position where — I was signing autographs all the time. And, trust me, it goes to your head.
HOW DID YOU REALIZE THIS?
You know what it was? The fear of losing it. You go through a phase of — what did I do to get here — but how do I keep it going? What’s it going to be like if it stops. And so — because of the character I have — I like to get out before somebody does it to me. So I did it to myself. I said no. Self-humbling time.
TALK ABOUT A DO-OVER …
I became a total Diva. But never a bitchy Diva. (laughs)
TELL US MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU WERE DOING IN ITALY … WHAT MADE YOU A BIG DEAL?
I first went to Spain and worked at least 6 nights a week as a dancer and choreographer — then worked for an agency in Rome where I founded my own company. Things really took off — working in the best theaters all over Italy for the next 18 years.
The agent would call me. Here is the budget. You can bring 7 or 8 artists from Spain. I’d bring in the best. “Come on tour with me.” Years and years of that. The artistry. The costumes. The choreography. I was the center point. I was very very lucky.
Starting Over
WERE YOU HOMESICK?
Not homesick but — my parents were aging and I had been in Europe nearly 20 years.
I was visiting shortly after Christmas and had the ticket to go back to Italy. I just never got on the plane. My father was about to take me to the airport — my bags were packed — and he said: “Ok, are you ready?” And I said: “You know what dad. I’m not going”. And he just unzipped his coat and said: “That’s fine with me.” (Laughs)
And we had dinner together — and all was well.
SO HOW DID YOU RESTART IN NEW YORK?
I got my ass kicked in the beginning. And I thought — this is ok. This is good for you. And another whole chapter began.
I wanted to give back in some way. And was very curious to see what it would be like work with autism kids and flamenco movements. And that’s what happened.
HOW?
I got an opportunity. And now dedicate some of my time working in NYC’s public schools for special needs students. I’ve created my own strategies using flamenco technique through FlamencoVivo’s Arts and Education Program. We work together all over the city — conferences, classes …
GIRRLLLL!
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU?
Suddenly I feel I may want to go back to just thinking of myself as a dancer again. Rather than being so altruistic. A little bit more time exploring myself.
ANOTHER CHAPTER.
My third.
SO DO YOU FEEL FREER AS YOU GET OLDER?
I am free of the trappings I put on myself. That was part of the metamorphosis.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY WAS YOUR FAVORITE TIME IN YOUR LIFE?
Right now is my favorite time — but you know what? I remember saying that 10 years ago. (Laughs)
DO YOU FEEL THAT YOU ARE THE SAME PERSON THAT YOU WERE AT 30, 40, 50 — THAT YOUR CORE IS THE SAME?
Yes I do. I recognize more parts of me that I wasn’t seeing back then.
WELL, YOU ARE AN OFFICIAL GLORIOUS BROAD. SO WHAT DOES GLORIOUS MEAN TO YOU?
Feeling free to be yourself —.accepting others celebrating you sometimes ... and celebrating yourself with them!
HOW ABOUT THE WORD BROAD?
Love it. Also, I am a big Frank Sinatra fan. So rat packy — Glorious Broads.
Seeing Juana is believing Juana. Go get yourself transformed why don’t ya. The Queen is on IG @juanacalaflamenco and FB @juanacala