Spanish dancing is known for its passion. The dancers not only demonstrate incredible skill, but also reveal their souls in their dance. It is an art form like no other, and people in the Fayetteville area will have an opportunity to experience it. Fayetteville State University (FSU) is set to host a performance by Flamenco Vivi Carlota Santana, a highly renowned dance group.

Flamenco Vivio, named after one of the founders, Carlota Santana, is one of the nations best and most respected Flamenco groups. It was founded in 1983 under a different name: The Spanish Dance Arts Company. The mission is still the same, though. Through incredible performances these dancers aim to promote the art of Flamenco, inspire the next generation of dancers and create new dances for both the audiences and the dancers to enjoy. They also reach out in arts education through Project Ole, which provides school-aged students across the nation with artistic experiences.

The performance at FSU features a unique mix of innovation that shows flamenco is a living art and traditional dance that promotes Hispanic heritage. “Flamenco is a centuries-old form of folk music and dance that originated in the Andalusia region of Spain. This performance by Flamenco Vivio features ‘classic’ flamenco dancing and music along with ‘new’ flamenco styles that show other musical and cultural influences. The entire family will enjoy an evening of music and dance by one of the world’s most respected flamenco groups,” says Earnest Lamb, the chair of the Fine Arts Series Committee at FSU.

So far the Fine Arts Series have brought a wide variety of dance troops to perform for Fayetteville audiences. African, ballet and modern dance have graced the Seabrook Stage in the past. The combination of the lively and theatrical nature of Flamenco and the skill of the Flamenco Vivio dancers will make this show a cant miss opportunity. “This group is celebrating 30 years of performing flamenco for audiences from around the world. We are lucky to have them stop by Fayetteville,” said Lamb.

Tremendous amounts of work go into organizing events such as this, but they are done in the interest of the entire community. Lamb explains by saying “The tag line for the Department of Performing and Fine Arts is ‘Building community through the arts.’ We hope to bring a diverse audience together, through this and all of our Fine Arts Series events, to experience something that might perhaps be new to them. The community should know that FSU has great fine art programming right here in their own backyard.”

Despite the hard work, Lamb also has a personal interest in bringing dancers to FSU’s stage, though he is not a dancer himself. “As chair of the Fine Arts Series Committee at FSU, I’m interested in bringing cultural events to campus and to the community that represent the range and scope of expressive arts from around the world. The committee hopes that introducing an art form to students or the community is a means to foster cultural understanding. I’m glad play a part in that,” he said.

Flamenco Vivio Carlota Santana: The Soul of Flamenco will be held in the Seabrook Auditorium at 7 p.m. on March 24th. Tickets are $10. Seabrook Auditorium is located at 1200 Murchison Rd. For more information visit http://www.uncfsu.edu/arts/fine-arts-series. Tickets are available for purchase online at etix.com.