Translation of Pericón! The marvelous book 'Mil y una historias de Pericón de Cádiz' will be available in English translation within the next year (Inverted-A Press; inverteda.com).

This book is a collection of witty stories by the famed singer and storyteller - it takes the reader to the streets of Cádiz during the early 20th century and chronicles the gracia, fiestas, hunger, and terror of a period that spanned the end of Alfonso XIII's reign, the second republic, the civil war, and the Franco dictatorship - all through the eyes of a street-wise flamenco singer. There is history, culture, flamenco history, and lots of gracia - the book is a jewel on many different levels!

Collected and arranged by José Luis Ortiz Nuevo, it was published in 1975, out of print for years, and re-edited in 2008, when it won deflamenco.com's 'best flamenco book' award.

I've been working on the translation over the past few years- it includes copious footnotes and appendicies, explaining the historical and cultural references, short bios, and a glossary describing flamenco terms and places. While in Spain last month I met with Ortiz Nuevo and signed the translation contract. I'll keep you posted as to the release date.