Question: Isn’t flamenco just women in colourful dresses playing the castanets?
Answer: No, it isn't! There are four distinct elements to flamenco - the guitar playing, the vocals, the dancing and the 'palmas' (handclapping). Out of the four of them, it is the dancing that is most likely to be dropped, if any of them.
If it is the dancing that you are most keen on seeing, check that there will actually be some dancing at the show. Normally the performers will be listed on the flyer - 'Baile' is the dancer, 'Cante' is the singer, and 'Guitarra' is the guitarist. 99% of tourist-orientated shows will have all three.
The flowery dresses seen in the tourist brochures are only for very special occasions (and touristy performances); much of the time the dancers are dressed in black.
And I have only ever seen a flamenco dancer use castanets once!
