To our smokers...

This post is specifically for the smokers in the samba school.

A dutch insurer is now offering a special 'attractive' insurance to heavy smokers. Eligible smokers need to do a urine test to confirm they have smoked at least 5 cigarettes per day for at least 5 years. I won't translate all the details, but of course this insurance is based on the significantly reduced life expectancy.

I'm sure the few smokers in our samba school already get sick of me encouraging them to stop. However, articles like the above again make it painfully clear how bad this habit is.

I hereby offer all current smokers in the samba school 6 months of free classes if they decide to stop before the end of March and keep it up.

Olodum workshops

Here are the details for the Olodum workshops on Sunday 16 March. There's two workshops:

• Intermediate: 10.30am - 12.30pm
• Advanced: 1pm - 3pm

Both workshops are $40 (each).

I suggest we all book together - let me know which workshop(s) you want to attend and I'll book us in.

Thanks for your greetings

Lynne kindly dropped in a lovely birthday card for me that everyone had signed last Thursday night. Thanks so much! I am really touched. So far, I haven't had a lot of time to brood over my advanced great old age, because I've been having too much fun. :)

See you next Thursday, and thanks again.

Patty

Thursday Night Pictures

Folk here are some pictures and video snippets of last Thursday practice, because I though we always have pictures of our gigs but we never capture what we do for the bulk of the time.

Link to pcassa web pictures for you http://picasaweb.google.com/BlizWizz/2008TypicalSambaPracticeNight

International Women's Day - Time to haul out the Pink&Greens?

Hi all!
I just wish to flag with you the date of March 8, International Women's Day, also known as Paul's birthday, and a probable gig. It's a Logan one (I'm almost waiting for the groans) and location is the Logan Women's Health and Wellbeing Centre - there is a celebration there, which will be a bit of an opening for them as well, as they have just moved location. Not sure what it will be yet, but those who have heard about our playing there have shown excitement at the prospect. Maybe a workshop as well as performance, but not drawn out or anything. Should be easy, relaxed and fun.

There will be other stuff going on as well throughout the day (10-2 I think), like bellydancing, yoga I think, martial arts, health presentations, secret women's business (just joking, all are welcome). At the beginning I am told there will be a smoking ceremony (I will be in my prime) to ward off evil spirits (uh oh), so those who are into the more mystical and ethereal you might want to get there when it kicks off (10am I think). I would love for you to be there if you can, as I think it would be nice to have a first gig for the year such as this where we can just do our thang. Will be a performance and maybe a workshop. Give or take.

And especially if Paul can make it, we should have birthday celebrations too! Just want to see if people can make it. Happy to organise something.

More "Uncharted"

Another song on video - enjoy!

move!

Ok, so they didn't actually use the beam, and I never managed to get that 2nd Surdo through customs. And that after it took a substantial amount of time to convince the airline that the surdo really was my handbag. Oh well, we did get everything else, and we managed to block the road for large parts of the day!

Where is Marcel now? Here is Marcel now!

Sure, it took a while, but this is where Dionne and I are now. The house in the middle, second floor from the top. Right on the Amstel river. Yes, that is Amstel as in Amsterdam, and Amstel beer, but no, that doesn't mean you can drink the river water. As a matter of fact, I'd advise against swimming in it too, unless you're a British tourist of course. In which case I say be my guest, mate!

Of course you're all very welcome to come and stay, although I'd have to warn you that the size on the picture is very close to the actual size...

Marcel
ps: jees, are you lot boooring. Thank god for shakerdiva or all of the postings would be boring stuff here!

Message from Celia of Vulcana

Hi All,
Now that the year is well under way again and we have all had time to digest what is was that we all got up to so successfully for a considerable part of lives in 2007 I’d love to invite you all to a Sunday afternoon gathering to recall our triumphs and to share thoughts on the process of making Uncharted. We’d love to hear your feedback on the whole event and to catch up on what you’ve all been up to.
I’m suggesting Sunday 17 Feb at 2pm. If you bring a small plate to share, we’ll provide beverages and picnic rugs and we could meet on the lawn directly opposite the Studio rehearsal room. I’ll make sure we have a rain plan in place!
We don’t have the final edit of the DVD but editing is underway, but I will be able to give you all copies of photos of the show.
Let me know if you can come and I look forward to seeing you all.
Cheers
Celia

Not Brazil, but Bulerias

Here is some amazing talent - if we could only play with as much passion as she dances with.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7oAqvYTww4&NR=1

Agogo workshop

Primavera Pegs

How do you like my new clothes pegs? I saw them at Big W and decided I definitely needed more pegs. :)

Da DAAAA! Rio Carnaval results for 2008

Champions: Beija-Flor - 399.3 pts
2nd Salgueiro 398 pts
3rd Grande Rio 396.9 pts
4th Portela 396.8 pts
5th Unidos da Tijuca 396.5 pts
6th Imperatriz 396.5 pts
7th Viradouro 396 pts
8th Mocidade 395.1 pts
9th Vila Isabel 394.6 pts
10th Mangueira 393.9 pts
11th Porto da Pedra 388.2 pts
12th Sao Clemente 387.5 pts

Documentary on Samba tonight

There's a documentary on at SBS tonight 10pm:

Samba! follows the six month build up to Rio's famous carnival. Beneath the light and glitter, a battle is underway between the carnival's aging founders and the new businessmen with different interest that now run it. Is carnival nowadays still a pure celebration of popular art, or has it become big business and a tough competition? Who really owns the biggest party on earth?

Olodum's Afro-Brazilian workshop March 15th&16th

Stay tune for Olodum's workshops on March 15th & 16th. Elliott Orr will confirm venue and time later. I'll keep you all posted.