Invite

Clara Nunes - "Baiana" and "Macunaima"

01:12 - Acrobatic Samba .

Thank you

Just a quick thank you to everyone who played tonight at the Reds again. I think the new format is working well and I actually had a great time today, I hope you did too!

In particular I'd like to thank everyone who also played last week for giving it one more shot, I'm pleased you did!

Now, a few weeks break...

Happy Easter!

Details for today's game: Reds vs Waratahs

Here are the details for today's game at SunCorp, Reds vs Waratahs:

Remko - repinique / bell
Brian - Caixa
Darren - 1st surdo
Florent - 1st surdo
Elwin - 3rd surdo
Angus - 3rd surdo
Paul Dennis - 3rd surdo
Gail - 2nd surdo
Patty - shaker/agogo
zaza - shaker

Be there: 5.40pm please, don't be late. If some people can come 15 minutes early to give me a hand with the instruments that would be great!

Bring: Reds shirt if you have one, if you don't please try to wear any red shirt

Where: Suncorp stadium, boomgate Castlemaine street

We'll play outside 6.15pm - 7.15pm and also will do a video interview during this time. Kickoff is at 7.40pm

We'll play in the crowd, this time in between 'charlie's crew', so a friendly environment. We'll have a section of 3 rows of 5 chairs for 9 of us, allowing for 2 rows for the surdos. I'll be on the field, directing from there. Charlie's crowd has been instructed to follow my direction as well so it's going to be much better than last week I hope. 

Thanks again, and see you there!

Reds games going forward

After last Saturday's performance (see blogpost below), I've had some very constructive discussions with the event organisation. They do understand our concerns and have addressed almost all of them. The main outcomes are:

• Seating: last game we were sitting next to paying patrons, and away from the dancers. The reason was they couldn't reallocate tickets that already had been sold, as they decided to bring us down into the crowd only days before the game. From next game we will be amongst the dancers, so that problem is gone. I have verified the allocated seat numbers to check this is indeed the case.
• Dancers: have been instructed to really work with us, or else... I will also try to ask them to stand up when they join us. Anyway it will be much easier for me to engage them if they're amongst us.
• Calls: (I think this is the most important point) Last game we played the 'we-are-red' call to death. We have now agreed that instead of giving me instructions on what to play, I will just get cues to play and stop. What we play will be up to me! That way I can interact with the audience much better, as in my position I have a good feel of what works and what doesn't. So expect more interesting rhythms, and way less 'we-are-red'. I also have been working on a new we-are-red call that I think you and the crowd will enjoy.
• Unfortunately, we still won't play after a try or successful conversion. Advertising is money in the bank. I see this as a bit silly, but not an obstacle for a great night for us. The crowd might disagree though.

So, reading back my observations on last game, I believe our key concerns have been addressed. I therefore hope and ask you all to give this another shot please this Saturday. We'll still need another 3 or 4 people to confirm. After that, we'll have a break of about 3 weeks.

Sorry guys

Just wanted to say sorry to all of you that played tonight at the Reds. I really always try my very best to make each and every gig fun for you guys to play at. Tonight I didn't succeed, and I feel I have wasted your evening. I really appreciate people playing at these gigs and I feel I've let you down.

There were quite a few reasons why it didn't work out and I'll be writing these down in preparation for a very necessary debrief with the organisation on Monday. I'll keep you posted on the outcome of this.

The evening actually turned worse once you'd all left, security sent police after me for ignoring their unreasonable instructions (wait 15 minutes before driving to pick up the instruments), and on Park Road I almost killed Paul after he had stepped out of the car and he decided to cross the road in between my car and the trailer just when the lights turned green and I drove off.

Sorry - I do hope you all enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Details for tomorrow - Reds vs Bulls

Here are the details for tomorrow's game at SunCorp, Reds vs Bulls (no, not Red Bulls):


Remko - repinique / bell / caixa
Paul Hardwicke - 1st surdo
Byron - 2nd surdo
Darren - 3rd surdo
Elwin - 3rd surdo
Gail - 3rd surdo
Patty - shaker/agogo
Leesa - shaker
Siobhann - tamborim
Art - tamborim

Be there: 5.45pm please, don't be late. If some people can come 15 minutes early to give me a hand with the instruments that would be great!

Bring: Reds shirt if you have one, if you don't please try to wear any red shirt

Where: Suncorp stadium, boomgate Castlemaine street

Update: in case of rain, we'll sing "We Are Wet" instead of "We Are Red"

We'll play outside 6.15pm - 7.15pm, kickoff is at 7.40pm

This time we'll play in the crowd, in between 'charlie's crew', so a friendly environment. We'll have a section of 3 rows of 5 chairs for 9 of us, allowing for 2 rows for the surdos. I'll be on the field, directing from there. Charlie's crowd has been instructed to follow my direction as well so it's going to be good I hope. 

Thanks again, and see you there!

Thank you again

Thanks Paul for the wine and Brian for the creatively packed magazine. No need to buy me birthday presents, you shouldn't have. But thanks!

Remko's birthday

It has been pointed out to me that it's my birthday this Sunday 10 April! So, let's celebrate in style!

For those that weren't at samba today but still want to come, please SMS or call me asap.

Where: Mundo Churrasco, 63 McGregor Tce, Bardon (parking available)
When: Sunday 10 April 6pm (I haven't made the booking yet so please check this post again on Sunday just in case of any changes)

Don't forget NOT to have lunch before - you want to be hungry!

People confirmed to date:
1 Remko

2 Nicki

3 Ruben

4 Darren

5 Paul Caplat

6 Paul Dennis

7 Peter Rohde

8 Gail

9 Brian

10 Miki

11 Paul Hardwicke (3rd Paul that night! Anyone know what you call a collection of Pauls?)

12 Mike

13 Sarah
14 Patty
15 Florent
16 Dana
17 Claire
18 Jason

Update: thanks everyone for a very enjoyable night! Ruben looked pregnant tonight so he enjoyed it very much as well. Like his dad, he's a bit of a carnivore too! Sorry if I had to run after Ruben mid conversation a few times - the joy of parenthood!

Remaining Reds games for the season (+ Byron's wedding)

Here's a reminder about the remaining Reds games this season. So far, so good, but we're going to improve a few things from the next game, as we want to work much closer together with the 60 kids. Last game we didn't see them at all.

Here are the dates again:

• Saturday 16 April Bulls 7:40pm
• Saturday 23 April NSW Waratahs 7:40pm
• Saturday 7 May evening: Byron's wedding!
• Friday 13 May Blues 7:40pm
• Sunday 29 May Crusaders 4:10pm
• Saturday 4 June Brumbies 7:40pm

It would save me quite some stress if you could all let me know asap if you want to play for each day, so I appreciate your quick responses!

Thanks in advance

Remko

ola sambistas,
yes it's that time of month again for a Brazilian dancefloor shakeout. Last month's Carnival spesh was killer.
Details below. Pass it onto your friends! The guys will be serving brazilian comidas de boteco again! yum!




Friday 8th April

Malagueta+Hello Australia+Cutucada apresenta

'o verdadeiro espirito brasileiro'
QUE SAUDADE!
Dance floor sounds from the colourful streets of Brazil.

samba . gafieira . samba rock . pagode . forro music & dancing all night long!

feat
MALAGUETA (Live samba, pagode & forro group)
Djs Pepe Sol & Paprika spinning authentic brazilian beats (samba, gafieira, samba rock, forro, brazilian soul)

Intro Dance class from Angelo Salgado & Groove Brazil dance studio. 9pm-10pm

9pm-3am. Brazilian beer, Cocktails & Comidas de Boteco (freshly cooked Brazilian bar snacks!)
entry:$5 before 10pm - $10 after

Continuing the 2nd Friday of every month!

Casablanca Cellar bar
cnr Petrie trc & Caxton st Paddington
(2 min walk from Roma st Station/10 min walk from Queen st Mall)

* Listen to Que Saudade Vol1 mix by DJ's Pepe Sol & Paprika here (a rare selection of Brazilian beats & pieces for your ears)

www.malagueta.com.au
www.myspace.com/malagueta10
www.groovebrazil.com.au
find Que Saudade on FACEBOOK

"A Matter of Time "

A Brazilian bent from the Japanese group U-900 .

Best orchestra exit ... ever!

Make sure you watch the end
(youth orchestra of Bahia)