Thank you all for yet another excellent rehearsal tonight! I thought it went really well, and enjoyed it even a little bit too much at the end. Looks like I still can't give it all...
Special credits for the tamborim section: that "Pega no Ganza" arrangement is not easy, and Maria hadn't even seen it before tonight! Well done (but next time Maria, it's the naughty corner for you if you don't do your homework ;-)
We've got 4 songs now, and they are starting to sound great. If any of you have suggestions for other songs you like to play, let me know and I'll consider it!
Thursday 29 May 2008
Tuesday 27 May 2008
Friday 23 May 2008
Update on songs
Just a quick note that lyrics, tamborim arrangements and MP3s are now available for all three songs we have played so far. And the lyrics and tamborim arrangement for the 4th song are there already as well - as well as a basic recording for that one.
Just log in to brisamba.com and log in to the members section (see a few posts below) and it's there for you to download and print.
Can I suggest that everyone who is interested in the lyrics / tamborim arrangements purchases one of those handy little books with a4 inserts - so you can insert the songs as they come out. They only cost a few dollars. Make sure you write your name on it!
Thanks to all of you who already have had a look at the members area. Hopefully everyone will have had a look in the next few days....
Just log in to brisamba.com and log in to the members section (see a few posts below) and it's there for you to download and print.
Can I suggest that everyone who is interested in the lyrics / tamborim arrangements purchases one of those handy little books with a4 inserts - so you can insert the songs as they come out. They only cost a few dollars. Make sure you write your name on it!
Thanks to all of you who already have had a look at the members area. Hopefully everyone will have had a look in the next few days....
Wednesday 21 May 2008
Time to get serious - songs!
Well, with the website update done, it's now time to get serious about the songs we play! As you know, playing actual songs is the next step for the samba school, with serious arrangements for tamborims and other instruments. We have started with this a few months ago, and now it's time for everyone to learn these songs. There's only three for now, but I have worked hard to make it possible to record new songs relatively fast. I like to aim for at least 2 new songs per month.
The members area of our website will have all information about the songs:
So what you can (should!) do: try to log in to the members area of the site. So go to brisamba.com and enter your username and password on the right. Your username should be firstname.lastname, and your password I hope you remember. If not, there is a facility to have it all emailed to you - please try this first before emailing me.
Once you're in the members area, you'll see a blue box on the right with the 3 songs, under the header 'songs & arrangements'. Just click a song to hear it.
I really expect everyone who is serious about the samba school to try this and to visit the members area on a regular basis. We're making the transition from just bashing drums (ok, that's a bit harsh maybe) to actually performing as musicians, and that cannot be done without investing a little bit of time outside the normal classes. Note the website keeps track of who logs in when...
I really look forward to your feedback. Over the next few days, expect to find arrangements and lyrics there as well.
I'd love to hear your feedback. Maria please note: I have replaced the typewriter with 16 tamborins!!! I kept the blockflöjt though... for now.
The members area of our website will have all information about the songs:
- lyrics
- mp3 recording
- tamborim arrangement
- other instructions
So what you can (should!) do: try to log in to the members area of the site. So go to brisamba.com and enter your username and password on the right. Your username should be firstname.lastname, and your password I hope you remember. If not, there is a facility to have it all emailed to you - please try this first before emailing me.
Once you're in the members area, you'll see a blue box on the right with the 3 songs, under the header 'songs & arrangements'. Just click a song to hear it.
I really expect everyone who is serious about the samba school to try this and to visit the members area on a regular basis. We're making the transition from just bashing drums (ok, that's a bit harsh maybe) to actually performing as musicians, and that cannot be done without investing a little bit of time outside the normal classes. Note the website keeps track of who logs in when...
I really look forward to your feedback. Over the next few days, expect to find arrangements and lyrics there as well.
I'd love to hear your feedback. Maria please note: I have replaced the typewriter with 16 tamborins!!! I kept the blockflöjt though... for now.
Tuesday 20 May 2008
brisamba.com down
Just a quick message that I'm doing some major maintenance on our main website. As a result, brisamba.com will be off-line for a few hours, hopefully not too long. I'll post a message here when it's done.
After the maintenance, I'll be able to start work on a new members area, where you'll then find the new songsheets and mp3s to listen and learn, and other stuff as well. A giant photo album is also in the planning...
Update: OK we're back on-line! It looks (almost) the same but is now completely revised behind the scenes. Had to be done... Please let me know if you find any problems or areas for improvement.
After the maintenance, I'll be able to start work on a new members area, where you'll then find the new songsheets and mp3s to listen and learn, and other stuff as well. A giant photo album is also in the planning...
Update: OK we're back on-line! It looks (almost) the same but is now completely revised behind the scenes. Had to be done... Please let me know if you find any problems or areas for improvement.
Monday 19 May 2008
What a night!
Thanks again everyone for being part of what turned out to be an amazing party. You all looked devine (so now I can think of more than one adjective!) and really cut a rug on the dance floor. Please forward any photos you may have - unless you've already posted them - as I'd like to compile a one stop web album for all to see.
Cheers! Claire
Sunday 18 May 2008
More party pictures
Excelent party Claire we all enjoyed outselves as we time warped back to the roaring 20's.
The link to the pictures is here
http://picasaweb.google.com/BlizWizz/2008ClaireSBirthdayParty
The link to the pictures is here
http://picasaweb.google.com/BlizWizz/2008ClaireSBirthdayParty
Friday 16 May 2008
Thursday 15 May 2008
Wednesday 14 May 2008
Tuesday 13 May 2008
Publicity/Recruiting Opportunity
Brisbane City Council is co-ordinating an event on 21 June called "Fete de la Musique" - if you go to the Brisbane City Council website at www.brisbane.qld.gov.au and click on the "Fete de la Musique" logo, you will see all the details.
It's an event started in the 80s in France, where any musical group can register, and take part in playing at venues around their city. It apparently happens each year all around the world, but this is the first time the event has been staged in Brisbane. Some of the venues in Brisbane will be Queen Street Mall, Brisbane Plaza, Chinatown. And there's a finale concert at Brisbane Plaza.
At our meeting last year where we workshopped what our future direction would be, one issue that was identified was to publicise our group and try to attract new players. I think an event like this would be a great opportunity to do this.
We could really be proactive and produce flyers to hand out to the crowd as they watched our performance. I'm not thinking fancy (expensive) pamphlets with photos etc. I'm thinking simple flyers we could compose and print ourselves - we could have a working-bee one weekend afternoon to produce them. I'd be happy to contribute to the cost of paper - thinking pink or green paper. We could make them of a size where you could get three flyers out of a sheet of A4 paper.
We could make our gig part performance/part workshop, to get the audience involved.
What does everyone think of this idea? Can we make it fly? Do we want to do it?
NOTE: If we do want to do it, we have to register BY 6 JUNE.
It's an event started in the 80s in France, where any musical group can register, and take part in playing at venues around their city. It apparently happens each year all around the world, but this is the first time the event has been staged in Brisbane. Some of the venues in Brisbane will be Queen Street Mall, Brisbane Plaza, Chinatown. And there's a finale concert at Brisbane Plaza.
At our meeting last year where we workshopped what our future direction would be, one issue that was identified was to publicise our group and try to attract new players. I think an event like this would be a great opportunity to do this.
We could really be proactive and produce flyers to hand out to the crowd as they watched our performance. I'm not thinking fancy (expensive) pamphlets with photos etc. I'm thinking simple flyers we could compose and print ourselves - we could have a working-bee one weekend afternoon to produce them. I'd be happy to contribute to the cost of paper - thinking pink or green paper. We could make them of a size where you could get three flyers out of a sheet of A4 paper.
We could make our gig part performance/part workshop, to get the audience involved.
What does everyone think of this idea? Can we make it fly? Do we want to do it?
NOTE: If we do want to do it, we have to register BY 6 JUNE.
Monday 12 May 2008
Well done everyone!
I enjoyed watching you guys play in Logan this Saturday. It looked like a real show, with only a few little mistakes that probably only I picked up. It was great to see the enthusiasm of the whole group. Well done everyone.
Of course a very special mention for Erin, leading the group for the first public performance (that of course does not include the great work during Uncharted).
Will could you please post the pictures of the gig, or email them to me?
I look forward to taking the group to a new level on my return in a couple of weeks or so. We started this year with a few new things, in particular playing real songs, and this opens real possibilities going forward. However, this will require a bit more dedication from all of us, in particular around practicing at home and listening to Brazilian music.
Of course a very special mention for Erin, leading the group for the first public performance (that of course does not include the great work during Uncharted).
Will could you please post the pictures of the gig, or email them to me?
I look forward to taking the group to a new level on my return in a couple of weeks or so. We started this year with a few new things, in particular playing real songs, and this opens real possibilities going forward. However, this will require a bit more dedication from all of us, in particular around practicing at home and listening to Brazilian music.
Friday 9 May 2008
GIG - GRAND FIESTA - Saturday 1pm
HI everyone, hope you are all energised and ready for a high octane performance. Just to reiterate....
Meeting Place: back car park (loading dock) -Logan Entertainment Centre,
which is the building behind Logan City Council, accessed from Wembley Road, Woodridge. (If you do not see pink and green, you are probably in the wrong place: )
Meeting Time: 1pm (for warm up)
Performance site: Logan Gardens, Logan and Albert Stage
Playing time: 2:20pm
What to Wear: Full uniform, green and pink tunic, white pants with side stripes, white tshirt underneath. (Shakers - please wear Maracatu skirt outfits, and please bring any spare uniforms with you if possible)
One can also enter the Logan Gardens from Civic Parade, off Jacaranda Avenue, but unsure of what parking would be available, especially if one is running late. For those who need to use pubic transport, Woodridge train station is rather close by.
I will have instruments with me there (except for snares) but bring whatever you usually bring. We shall aim to have a warm up before we get over there. We can then walk through the back to the Logan Gardens.
Lynne, I am thinking that if you are getting there later due to work commitments, you might want to meet us nearer the stage, which is the Albert and Logan News Stage, particularly if you arrive closer to 2pm. I will probably encourage us to travel over towards the stage at about 1:30pm so the organisers don't worry if we have all turned up. I will meet the stage manager at about 12:30 earlier to confirm our attendance, so I will be around somewhere earlier as well. Lynne you may wish to find parking closer to the Civic Parade entrance if you can for quick access, but the event organiser could not really tell me exactly where in the gardens the stages would be. The event starts at 12 so you should hear something happening..
If there are any issues at all, I would rather know sooner than later, so can you please phone or text me on 0407 730 569 if there are any problems, or if you are running late.
I will arrange to have some spare uniforms (could shakers please wear Maracatu outfits and , however if you can please wear white t-shirts for under the tunic that is usually helpful, plus white pants and sandals/white shoes or thongs if you have them look best with our fashion-forward outfits, (for those who don't yet know the joys of pink and green Primavera style).
I am looking forward to the gig, and I reckon we will kick butt. Thanks very much for your comitment, and I'll see you on Saturday for some Grand Fiesta! Yeehah!
Meeting Place: back car park (loading dock) -Logan Entertainment Centre,
which is the building behind Logan City Council, accessed from Wembley Road, Woodridge. (If you do not see pink and green, you are probably in the wrong place: )
Meeting Time: 1pm (for warm up)
Performance site: Logan Gardens, Logan and Albert Stage
Playing time: 2:20pm
What to Wear: Full uniform, green and pink tunic, white pants with side stripes, white tshirt underneath. (Shakers - please wear Maracatu skirt outfits, and please bring any spare uniforms with you if possible)
One can also enter the Logan Gardens from Civic Parade, off Jacaranda Avenue, but unsure of what parking would be available, especially if one is running late. For those who need to use pubic transport, Woodridge train station is rather close by.
I will have instruments with me there (except for snares) but bring whatever you usually bring. We shall aim to have a warm up before we get over there. We can then walk through the back to the Logan Gardens.
Lynne, I am thinking that if you are getting there later due to work commitments, you might want to meet us nearer the stage, which is the Albert and Logan News Stage, particularly if you arrive closer to 2pm. I will probably encourage us to travel over towards the stage at about 1:30pm so the organisers don't worry if we have all turned up. I will meet the stage manager at about 12:30 earlier to confirm our attendance, so I will be around somewhere earlier as well. Lynne you may wish to find parking closer to the Civic Parade entrance if you can for quick access, but the event organiser could not really tell me exactly where in the gardens the stages would be. The event starts at 12 so you should hear something happening..
If there are any issues at all, I would rather know sooner than later, so can you please phone or text me on 0407 730 569 if there are any problems, or if you are running late.
I will arrange to have some spare uniforms (could shakers please wear Maracatu outfits and , however if you can please wear white t-shirts for under the tunic that is usually helpful, plus white pants and sandals/white shoes or thongs if you have them look best with our fashion-forward outfits, (for those who don't yet know the joys of pink and green Primavera style).
I am looking forward to the gig, and I reckon we will kick butt. Thanks very much for your comitment, and I'll see you on Saturday for some Grand Fiesta! Yeehah!
Wednesday 7 May 2008
My (not so happy) Big Mash Meal
Since I've had braces, my colleagues at work always poke fun at me when I'm eating a burger. You can't bite into anything when you have braces, so you have to chop it up with knife and fork and eat it like you're in some high upper class restaurant. Not the Aussie way, according to my colleagues.
Since the operation, I can't chew anything, and after a lot of soup I felt like something different. Nicki had already successfully used the blender to mash up things like nasi goreng and pasta, so today when I felt like a burger I thought it was time for a little experiment.
Almost there now...
Ordering took some time, as I am not really that clear with my jaws held together with elastic bands. And that's on top of my Dutch accent!
I paid the lady and received my change
Then I collected my meal from the friendly staff
This is what it looked like before, with the tool of choice visible in the background...
The fries ready to be mashed
And this is what mashed fries look like!
A Big Mac...
... and a Big Mash!
The whole Big Mash Meal fully prepared.
Here we go!
Since the operation, I can't chew anything, and after a lot of soup I felt like something different. Nicki had already successfully used the blender to mash up things like nasi goreng and pasta, so today when I felt like a burger I thought it was time for a little experiment.
Almost there now...
Ordering took some time, as I am not really that clear with my jaws held together with elastic bands. And that's on top of my Dutch accent!
I paid the lady and received my change
Then I collected my meal from the friendly staff
This is what it looked like before, with the tool of choice visible in the background...
The fries ready to be mashed
And this is what mashed fries look like!
A Big Mac...
... and a Big Mash!
The whole Big Mash Meal fully prepared.
Here we go!I have to admit that a Big Mac meal is certainly not my favourite food, and it's some time since I had one. But this was definitely worse...
I'll try a Chicken Vindaloo tomorrow!
I'll try a Chicken Vindaloo tomorrow!
Monday 5 May 2008
I'm back...
... kind of. Got out of hospital on Saturday, one day later than planned. I'm recovering but it didn't all go as well as I hoped for as my wisdom teeth are now in the way and I can't close my mouth at all. Tomorrow back to the specialist who will probably try to file off the wisdom teeth so I can close my mouth again. Because of this I can hardly eat but I can assure you nasi goreng still tastes nice after a minute in the blender.
Thanks for your kind SMS and voice mail messages, and even one visit in hospital. Please note I can hardly speak so I won't answer any phone calls. I'll try to answer emails but are still spending most of the time in bed.
Good luck with the preparations for the gig on Saturday!
Sunday 4 May 2008
In response to Mel's comment on post below..
Actually, by full costume I mean the old uniform - white pants with side stripes, tunic, silver sash if you have it. If you want to wear something under tunic, please wear a white t-shirt. Hope everyone is okay with this, but because of the kind of gig it is, both Remko and I feel the uniform would look a bit more professional. We will be up on a stage and everything, so I imagine an overall uniform look might be more effective as they may not be able to see the details of our crazier outfits or get the full impact of them. (The more important part I think is coming across as groovin', excited and physically energetic). If everyone had colour-matching and equally crazy outfits we might be able to make it work, but we aren't really there yet. Hope everyone is ok with this.
Love the Fame anecdote though, and the picture in the paper of you Mel at International Women's Day was definately groovy! Pity they never seem to put the darned band's name in with it. (A bit of free advertising wouldn't go astray.)
Last Thursday was great, thanks for coming for those who made it. Everyone played really well and so I felt much more confident about playing this role and about us kicking arse at this next gig. YEEHAH!! I totally want everyone to have fun with it on the day - it really comes through - and so maybe we can work on our presentation a little bit while we play this week?? If this is not as new for us all with me being/not being Remko, then we might be able to relax a little more without letting our playing quality fall, and work the showmanship. I look forward to seeing you all this Thursday.
Cheerio sambistas!
Love the Fame anecdote though, and the picture in the paper of you Mel at International Women's Day was definately groovy! Pity they never seem to put the darned band's name in with it. (A bit of free advertising wouldn't go astray.)
Last Thursday was great, thanks for coming for those who made it. Everyone played really well and so I felt much more confident about playing this role and about us kicking arse at this next gig. YEEHAH!! I totally want everyone to have fun with it on the day - it really comes through - and so maybe we can work on our presentation a little bit while we play this week?? If this is not as new for us all with me being/not being Remko, then we might be able to relax a little more without letting our playing quality fall, and work the showmanship. I look forward to seeing you all this Thursday.
Cheerio sambistas!
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