Brandon Twp.- Members of Campaneros de Flamenco will demonstrate the art of flamenco dancing during Flamenco: The Heart and Soul of Spain, 6:30 p.m., March 29, at the library, 304 South St.
Michelle Millman, a member of the group, which translated means Friends of Flamenco, said she has studied many different kinds of dance, including ballet, tap and folk, but flamenco stuck with her because of the ‘range of expression.?
‘You don’t have to fit a certain mold,? says Millman. ‘For ballet, you need one kind of physique, but with flamenco, anyone can do it.?
Millman, and other members of Campaneros de Flamenco, learned the dance from Maria Del Carmen, who taught the art form in her home in Westland. Del Carmen died a few years ago. Her students, wanting to continue dancing, began practicing together.
Millman says the roots of flamenco go back to ancient times, when several cultures, including Indian gypsies, Moors from Africa, and the Hebrew culture, intermingled in Spain and developed flamenco.
‘It’s an energetic type of dance, with stamping footwork,? says Millman. ‘We’re like a percussion instrument. We make a sound that goes with the sound of the musicians. The body and armwork we do is very visual.?
She explains that each dance has its own character, with one representing happiness, while others might be about death, loneliness, and still others about being funky or silly.
Campaneros de Flamenco performs at different venues, diversity festivals, and school shows. During the program at the library, there will be audience participation in which the flamenco artists will teach a short dance and explain many aspects of flamenco.
‘If you think about how people celebrated different life events (in ancient times), they did it by clapping, stamping, dancing and rhythm,? says Millman. ?(Flamenco) is just a refinement of that basic desire to celebrate.?
To register for the free, family-friendly program or for more details, call (248) 627-1461.