The Spanish Room
-a Newfoundland flamenco dream
WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: "Wonderful and whimsical radio that took an unlikely topic -- a flamenco troupe in St. John's-- and with superior writing, brilliant use of sound and the startling juxtaposition of Newfoundland accents and flamenco music, produced a genuinely interesting and memorable program.”
This is not a Big Important Story. It's a small whimsical story about finding the unexpected in your own backyard - in this case the existence of a Spanish dance company pulling standing-room-only crowds in a place more often known for its Celtic music and dance traditions. The program is a portrait of El Viento Flamenco, Newfoundland’s only professional flamenco troupe.

The Spanish Room was produced by Battery Radio for CBC Nfld & Labrador’s radio documentary series “Sunday Best” and was broadcast nationally on CBC Radio’s "In Performance". It has also been heard on SoundPrint in the United States and in Ireland on RTE's Documentary on One.
The feature was written, recorded and produced by Chris Brookes, with concert recording by Terry Winsor and Greg Dodd of the CBC.

Since the makiing of this documnentary, El Viento Flamenco has found a new homebase in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Hear an excerpt from this documentary: