Arts Alive Now! Is a new music duo made up of guitarist and vocalist Bryan Edington and dancer Carolyn Hine-Johnson, both of South Bend. They recently performed their Flamenco dance show title “Spanish Heart” for the residents and guests of Miller’s Assisted Living in Plymouth. The audience was very receptive to the Spanish music and the flair of the Flamenco costuming and dancing.
Edington is an accomplished guitarist with 40 years experience. He is well known at Miller’s from having performed solo concerts for the residents. Hines-Johnson studied dance in New York and has been a member of several different dance troupes throughout her career. She is presently teaching dance at Indiana University of South Bend.
Hines-Johnson took time to explain the origin of Flamenco dancing and also talked about the meaning and importance of the hand movements involved. The program was interactive as she had the ladies in the audience try the hand movements called “flowers” while the gentlemen practiced the “serpent” hand movement. She also taught them about “palmas” or clapping, playing the tambourine, maracas, and taught them a few foot movements they could try while seated.
Accompanied by Edington, Hines, Johnson danced the Flamenco, the Flamenco Rumba which has a Cuban influence, The Mexican Hat Dance, and the Merengue which she explained is a Dominican Republic “social dance”. The sounds of her castanets accented the song “Sevillanas” which is a celebration song in Spain.
During costume changes Edington played original compositions including “Voyage” on which he played keyboard and drums, saved them to a disc and then played his guitar with the recording as backup. Another original song by Edington was titled “Mood for a Day”. Other songs included in the program were: “Hotel California”, “Malguena Mash”, “La Cucaracha”, “Esplanade”, “Classical Gas”, and “Bomboleo”.
“Arts Alive Now” have several different programs in their repertoire. They will be returning to Miller’s Assisted Living on Wednesday, August 19th at 2:30 p.m. with “Broadway Blast”. This show is free and open to the public. For more information call 574-936-9801 and ask for Anna Corbett or Cindy Flagg.
Photo Caption: Carolyn Hines-Johnson, one half of the Arts Alive Now! Duo performs the Mexican Hat Dance in authentic dress for the residents and guests of Miller’s Assisted Living.
