" Inner Cow " released

Thank you Remko for listening and responding to our comments earlier in the blog.

The first rehearsal of the year was fun with the a-go-go bell lesson. My " inner cow " has been released ! . . . . and now Melanie's suggestion on a songbook . I should have asked for us to have a free massage after each performance ?!?!

Peace , Love, and MOOoooooh !

Discussion on the creation of our 'Samba Schoolbook'

I pitched the idea last to Remko that a 'Schoolbook' (not sure what to call it) might be a good idea and we pitched around quite a lot of idea's last night about what this might comprise of. Essentially it would be the collection of the songs we play with a CD per song in a ring binder with the elements decomposed in a way that folk can play along to it at home. As new songs are created we get issued a new page for our book given out at the class. The data would be standardised in presentation and format, and presented in a way that people of all levels of musical ability can quickly pick up. Plus other stuff! Remko asked me to take this on and project manage the creation of said item. So this is a call for all your input to create the best collection of information we can first pass. I have some idea's but I really need all your inputs. What I need at this stage is some indication of the information types that you think should be included. i.e. Song Name, Area of Brasil it comes from, the feel of the song, etc. The idea is that this would be given to each new member and to all existing members to boot strap our learning and take us to a new level of professionalism quickly.

Back to (samba) school!

Hi all, just a quick reminder that this Thursday the 24th we'll recommence the samba school classes. It has been a long break and I look forward to seeing all of you again, and to make some nice music! It's going to be an interesting year again!

See you on Thursday!

Following on from Erin & Claire's comments re costumes....

I'm only starting a new post because I couldn't work out how to do links and pictures in a response message *sigh* in the earlier post. Those more tech-savvy amongst us are now rolling their eyes. :)

At first, I had no idea what "ravey-type" pants even WERE but on checking it out, I think they have real potential - a very modern edgy look, combined with the practicality of places to put stuff.

As Remko said it's a good time to collectively start thinking about how we want to look. Do we want to have really elaborate spangly costumes like in Rio, or do we want a different look? Are we prepared to get together and have working bees to create these costumes?
Here's a few random thoughts I've had.......

- I think there are times when the group would look better wearing the same uniform, and also a time when the more casual “creative pink and green” is better. (turn, turn, turn). Getting a new uniform shouldn’t mean that’s all we wear forever and ever; I’d still like to see variety – wear what’s appropriate for different events.

- The “look” we’re after: It would be great to look like these guys...

But how do you clean these outfits and maintain them? Maybe we could have rave pants and some sort of top during casual daytime events, and make sparkly capes to put on over this for evening events where more glamour is wanted?

- Whichever way we go, we still want to look really striking. When we’re at an event like a big parade or at a soccer game, a solid block of colour looks much better.

For below the waist I like the idea of white shoes and white cotton slacks like this band.

I see these as able to be used both with the uniform and with any “creative casual” outfit.

Ideas for the top half? Well, here’s just one idea for consideration. Here is a pic of something I really like, although I have no idea how the surdo girlies keep their tops up!

Remember the Logan kids’ tops at “Uncharted”? They had cotton tops that were hand painted. Perhaps we could get white cotton tops and if there’s such a thing, washable paint in bright pinks and greens and paint the tops in tribal patterns like in the photo. People who wanted to wear really brief crop tops could do so; while others (like me!) could wear shirts. We could also have stripes of pink and green face paint.

Of course, as well as a costume like this, we could always create extra “pieces” if we wanted to be more shiny and dressed up for a night-time event. Things like cuffs and big collars in spangly materials could be worn over the top. And I haven’t even gotten around to head-dresses!

Just a few ideas for tossing around.

Where is Marcel now ?

Where do you think Marcel is now ? :

1. Roaming Amsterdam pharmacy looking for "pills" , any " white pills " that calm him down.
2. Looking for Dutch samba school where surdo players DON'T DANCE.
3. Forming a break-away samba school with NO DANCING POLICY.
4. . . . . . . . . . . . . ( fill in the blank. Use your imagination )
   

A new samba year

Happy New Year everyone! Hope you all had a great time, and that the break makes you think how much you miss samba ;-)

Classes will resume on Thursday 24 January. I was planning to start one week earlier but I'll spend a week working in Melbourne.

The start of a new year is always time for reflection, and even more so looking forward to the next year. So here's what I want to achieve this year:

• Most importantly, focus on our stage act. I've realised that we need to look much better on stage, it's not just about the music. So choreographies, great costumes, smiling and showmanship are all on the agenda
  
• As always, attract more members to the samba school
• Higher musical standard. I've heard some comments over the last year that 'it doesn't have to be perfect'. That attitude will need to change - and we'll work together on that
  
• More gigs

I look forward to your ideas for next year, please comment on this post. Happy new year!