Torrox turns up the rhythm: Celebrating ten years of Cajonea

Torrox is preparing for two days of wooden beats, flamenco dance and shared rhythm as the tenth edition of Cajonea, the International Flamenco Cajon Festival, takes place at Torrox’s Local Theatre on Friday, November 6 and Saturday, November 7 and its all completely free.

A festival deep within the roots of Torrox

A cajon (pronounced *ca-HON*) is a wooden box drum played with the hands. Its resonant sound has become central to modern flamenco, providing rhythm for singers, guitarists and dancers.

Cajonea began in 2010, the same year local instrument maker ABueno Percusion Artesana was established. Ten editions later, the festival has become closely linked with Torrox and the growth of flamenco cajon culture in the Axarquia.

This year is extra special as it coincides with the 75th anniversary of the birth of Camaron de la Isla, one of flamenco’s most influential singers. Organisers frame the festival as a tribute to tradition, learning and passing musical knowledge between generations.

Friday: music for local schools

Friday, November 6 begins with an educational concert for pupils from Torrox’s schools. Students will watch a professional flamenco company perform and join a masterclass introducing them to flamenco percussion.

Although this session is not open to the public, it reflects Cajonea’s purpose: encouraging young people to discover the cajon and keeping the tradition alive to the next generation.

Saturday: free masterclasses

Saturday, November 7 is open to everyone, with three free masterclasses led by respected percussionists from Spain and further afield. La Negri and Eleazar Heredia begin at 11am with ‘Sin miedo a la libertad’ (‘Without fear of freedom’). Ignacio Calderon follows at 12.15pm with a session exploring Afro-Cuban rhythms fused with flamenco cajon, before El Guille closes the daytime programme at 1.30pm with ‘Cajon USA’.

Places are free and all are welcome until the theatre reaches capacity.

‘La Semilla del Cajon’

At 7.30pm, Cajonea closes with La Semilla del Cajon, meaning ‘The Seed of the Cajon’. The performance features the Cajonera Culture School and the Ballet Flamenco de Granada, followed by a moving finale.

Entry to the evening show is free, but places are limited. Tickets can be collected from 5pm, two hours before the performance, and theatre doors open at 7pm.

For anyone looking for a completely authentic cultural evening, this one is perfect to get involved and learn something new.