Batucada Bus

Now, everybody, let's start by deciding on the bus style... We'll see to the rest later!!

PAGEANT No.1 - the 'TRADITIONAL BRISAMBA' model (never gets out fashion, hey!)

PAGEANT No.2 - CREATIVE HIPPIE (how about that Gayle?)

PAGEANT No.3 - BABYSHIT GREEN HIPPIE VARIANT

PAGEANT No.4 - the 'MAKE A STATEMENT' model

PAGEANT No.5 - the 'CUTE FUTURISTIC BUT NOT VERY AMBITIOUS' model

and finally PAGEANT No.6 - the 'REALLY COOL' model

Remko, can you please start a vote on this matter of he highest importance???

Cedric

PS: Yes, I've got too much time on my hands during the holidays... No need to rub it in...

Transport surdos on Saturday

Is anyone able to transport 4 surdos on Saturday? You'd need to pick them up on Friday after the parade, and you will be able to park under SunCorp stadium on the day. We only have two car spots!

Please let me know asap if you can help. Thanks!

Update: Thanks Angus for helping out!!!

Weird emails

I get some weird emails, from members of the samba school, the community, and sometimes complete strangers. Most of them come from Brian though.

However, Paul has set a new standard, and I thought I share this with you (sorry Paul):

Subject: the batucada bus

Hey Remko,

How’s this for an (undeveloped) idea? NB I am very sleep deprived today:

We take people on bus tours around Brisbane playing pagode and serving caipirinhas into the night.

An opportunity to mix practice with fun and raising money at the same time! Just need a bus, driver, liquor licence, insurance, …

Well done Paul! Now go get some sleep...

Draft running sheet for Saturday

Please have a look at the draft running sheet for Saturday in SunCorp Stadium. It's quite complex so take your time to read it. I will post a final version later this week once Multicultural Affairs Queensland has confirmed all details.

If you feel any info is missing please let me know.

Note: it looks like this schedule will change significantly - stay tuned

Rehearsal today

A big thanks to all of you who made it today to Newfarm park. Very impressive how many of you could make it with some 24h notice! I think it was essential to the success of the show next week. Claire - please thank your mum on my behalf for helping me out with many little things!

We'll have another rehearsal this Thursday - please be on time for this as we still have a lot to do.

I'll post some important handouts regarding the gigs later today.

Last minute ... extra rehearsal

We have decided to do another rehearsal with the (50) dancers tomorrow Sunday the 6th in Newfarm park, 1pm. We don't need the full bateria but enough to get the basic sound. Please let me know by email if you can make it (I will need to cancel if there's not enough people). Thanks!

Update: let's see how the weather turns out. If it rains a lot we'll have to cancel this...

White....

Just a heads up: for at least one of the performances in SunCorp stadium, all dancers and percussionists will be dressed fully in white. I realise not everyone might have white pants, so here is some advance notice to pick up something next time you're in K-mart or so. I'm sure you can find something cheap (I found cheap white shoes for under $20 some years back).

If anyone has any suggestions on where to buy something like this, please post here as well. Thank you!

Gail's Birthday pics

" I Go to Rio ! "

Peter Allen's " I Go to Rio " . . . with a Gail's birthday twist

Royal Food Taster: Melanie's previous life
Tasting Gail's birthday cake . . . . before everyone else, even the birthday girl !

Great news: QLD Roars against racism

I received some fantastic news yesterday: we have been selected again to perform during "Queensland Roars against Racism", with the main feature being the soccer match between Queensland Roar and Brazilian team Palmeiras, at SunCorp Stadium!!

We participated in this last year and I think everyone agrees this was one of the highlights of last year, if not the last few years.

This year is going to be even more spectacular: we will team up with Angelo Salgado's Groove Brazil dance school, resulting in a massive performance of 65 drummers and dancers in the middle of SunCorp Stadium, at half time at an international soccer match. How good is that?

It gets even better: we have also been asked to help out the day before the match for promotions in the city, at Reddacliff place, next to the new City Council. This will be part of a full day promotion, starting at 7am (can you believe it?) to about midnight.

The schedule is as follows (some details might change):

Friday 11 July, Reddacliff place (George Street in the city):

• 12:35pm Samba School performance
• 1.30pm-2pm Samba School leading parade with dancers from Groove Brazil

Saturday 12 July, SunCorp Stadium:

• Approx 4pm: workshop/performance at concourse in front of stadium
• 5pm: 5 minute performance on field
• 6.30pm: BIG performance on field with Groove Brazil (65 performers!)
• 7.45pm: Another BIG performance on field

I do realise not everyone will be able to make it on the Friday, however I really hope as many of you as possible can do this as it's a great opportunity.

One of the on-field performances will be absolutely spectacular, involving two teams of percussionists/dancers, each dressed in the team colours of either Roar (orange) or Palmeiras (green) and me dressed as a referee (I already have a whistle), with 'competitive' interaction between the two teams, followed by a merge of the two teams who will then perform together. Some choreography to be practiced!

Given the complexity of it all, I will prepare a running sheet that you can print out, this will be posted on the Blog somewhere this week.

We only have two rehearsals to go for this, and we need to practice with Groove Brazil too. I haven't fully thought this through yet, again more details later, but I'd appreciate everyone's attendance during the next two rehearsals. These rehearsals will be free of charge for everyone who participates in these performances.

I hope you're all as excited as I am!

Congratulations Melanie

Can I have a big applause for Melanie please, for buying her own surdo (and caixa) and painting them both in the wonderful colours of Pink & Green?!

Well done Melanie! (applause fades in, then out. Little kid takes over and parents make pictures. You know!)

It is great to see more and more sambistas getting their own instruments - I can only carry so many to rehearsal and if we want to grow this is the only way.

I have another surdo, tamborim and even cavaquinho for sale if anyone is interested. All new!

Being late for gigs...

I might step on a few toes here but it really has to be said:

This Saturday again there were a few people that arrived at the gig after 11.30, the time requested to be there, and some even arrived there just a couple of minutes before or even after the gig had started. Same thing happened with the second set. As everyone noticed, this always leads to a lot of stress, last minute changes of instrumentation, me getting cranky etc. We're supposed to have fun instead (and that includes me)!

Erin and I have been working on a "samba school handbook" to help new members in particular, and I thought I include a paragraph here:

On 'gig day', you will be asked to be there some time before the event starts, typically at least 30 minutes. It is important that you are there at that time, as there are typically last minute things to discuss, instruments to hand out and tune, set up, etc. Arriving just a few minutes before the actual gig, or even after the gig has started, is absolutely unacceptable, as this means we may have to re-arrange instruments, delay the performance, or even cancel the gig. In short, if you are late, you are really letting everyone else down, and it adds a lot of stress, which of course then gets in the way of having fun, the whole purpose of the gig. So please don't be late.

I guess the key thing is you're letting the whole group down, not just me. So please make an effort to be on time. Think ahead: double check what time you need to be there, do you need parking, where are you going to park, how long will that take, if you carry an instrument how will you do it, will it be busy, etc. And if you're unexpectedly running late, please SMS me, so at least I know if you're going to be there (SMS is better than voicemail as I can read that quickly).

Saturday was not an exception, and unfortunately it tends to be the same people being late. In the past this has lead to us missing a great opportunity for a TV performance on Channel 9, amongst others...

Thank you to all of you who were there on time, or even early enough to help with the instruments. I couldn't do this without you!

I hope for your understanding and cooperation.
Thanks
Remko

Fete de la Musique - debrief

Well that was quite an event yesterday! We played with about 18 drummers in Queen St Mall, something that won't happen too often. We made quite an impact (did anyone hear the screaming after the first 'bang' in the 2nd set?). I've been told we drew the largest crowd of all the performers that day, and there were many performers. I hope some of you had the chance to see some of the other performances as well!

So thank you again, well done. Thanks also to those of you who came early at 11am to help unload instruments, and to those of you who stayed afterwards to help load the instruments.

Gigs like this are always a big hassle, and what I really don't like is that I don't have the chance to wind down with you after the gig and go for a drink or something. I hope some of you made it to the coffee club for a free lunch!

In case you haven't heard yet, the 2nd set was cut short by the organisation - they had offered us a 2nd set the day before the gig only, but they had not realised that loud groups like us were only allowed to do one set. So when we started playing again I believe a few shop owners complained and that was it. Only in Australia...

Fete de la musique details

OK, this Saturday we're part of the first "Fete de la Musique" in Brisbane ever! We've got a prime spot on Queen Street Mall, in between David Jones and the Pig & Whistle.

We're playing 1pm-1.20pm, and we have just been offered a second slot, from 12.00pm-12.20pm! Tonight at rehearsal I'll check who of you can make it, and I look forward to making a big impact!

If you want to do the 12pm spot as well, please be there 11.30am. Paul and Erin have been kind enough to agree to meet me at 11am to unload the instruments and guard them while I do the formalities of registering us all the way at the casino - thanks guys!!!

This is a street event so I'd like to not make it too formal, so dress code is "extreme pink & green". I'll make sure I've got a load of flyers to hand out too!

UPDATE: We've got 19 people confirmed. This will be spectacular! Thanks everyone!!!

Ideas please about weekly class format

As you hopefully have noticed, I have tried to lift the level of the Samba School since January this year, mainly by introducing songs and making arrangements. I had to do this as I needed something more than what we'd been doing for the last years. I am very happy with the progress we have all made since then, and indeed I am extremely proud of all of you that have made this possible, but I have realised that something else will need to change as well:

If we just focus on improvement, and increasing the level of the samba school, there will be a huge barrier for new people to join us. Not only that, there will not be as much opportunity for the current members to learn other instruments. So, we probably need to go to some sort of combination of "beginners" vs "advanced class", or "learning" vs "rehearsal" classes. But, in what format?

One option is to split each class in half, e.g. the first hour beginners, then advanced. Or, every second week beginners, etc. But maybe you have better ideas!

As you are all part of the samba school, I'd really appreciate your ideas, so please comment to this post, keeping in mind that short and sharp ideas are probably most effective. Thank you!

Fete de la Musique

OK, finally confirmation, we'll play Saturday 21 June at 1pm for 25 minutes in Queen Street Mall! Further details to be confirmed after Friday, but keep this time free if you can! I don't know exactly where we play, the pitch is called QSM 8 - Edward so this suggests it's close to Edward Street. After party at David Jones!!!

I'll make sure we've got flyers to hand out on the day!

Please comment on this post, or email me, to confirm you can make it. Let's leave a lasting impression!

EDIT: This will be an "extreme creative Pink & Green" event - in the spirit of this street festival. No uniform, more details later!

Samba weekend in Hervey Bay

We've been approached by the Fraser Coast Cultural Festival for possible gigs 28-29 March next year. Lots of details still to be agreed, but I expect it would involve a big bus, a lot of sambistas, one baby, some sort of accommodation provided and gigs over two days in Hervey Bay.

Before I commit to this, I'd be interested in your thoughts, and therefore I have opened a little poll in the top-right corner. I look forward to your thoughts!

Gig on Saturday 9 August

More details to follow, but we have been confirmed as the main (and closing) act during "Soiree", an event organised by UQ at International House, St Lucia. We'll play somewhere between 4-5pm on the main stage.

My main objective for this gig will be to tap into the student community to expand the samba school!

So please keep this date available, if you can.

that new uniform ready yet?

have you decided on a proper head-dress?

Queensland again Roars against Racism!

Just a quick message to let you know it's very likely we'll be involved in the next Queensland Roars against Racism in Suncorp Stadium, Saturday 12 July. I am meeting with Multicultural Affairs QLD this Friday to discuss this!

Queensland Roar will be playing Palmeras, a team from Sao Paolo!

Fête de la Musique

Just a quick note that it's extremely likely we'll play someway, somehow, somewhere during the Fête de la Musique (ask Cedric for the correct pronunciation) on 21 June, so please keep this in mind when booking your skiing holidays ;-)

Vou Festejar

As suggested by Claire

Suggestions for more songs

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!

Timbalada - Bahia

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....

Pais Tropical

Hey Will, check this version of Pais Tropical

More photos from the Roaring Twenties party

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/clairepetersen2/RoaringTwentiesParty

Thanks Brian and Mel!

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:

• lyrics
• mp3 recording
• tamborim arrangement
• other instructions

For now, I have just put the 3 recordings on the site. Note I will update these songs on an ongoing basis (2 of the 3 songs don't have vocals yet, and other improvements can be made). However I have learned (the hard way) that I shouldn't wait with things until they are 'perfect'...

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.

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.

The King and Queen of Bahia

Ivete Sangalo e Durval Lelis no Maracana!!

Armandinho e Yamandú

Glamour Girls . . . and Denis !

Melanie, Miki & Denis Trio next CD cover

Erin's new movie

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

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

Happy Birthday Claire! - Some party pics

Happy birthday, Claire!

And now for something completely different...

MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.

Joao Bosco

Check this out!

Grand Fiesta : Logan

Logan gig photos

Hi all,
Photos from the gig are here!

Go Primavera, Go!
Will

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.

Another video

Note the great bateria at the end!

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.

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!

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!

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'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!

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!

Grand Fiesta Gig - Saturday 10th May

Hi everyone! I hope you're all geared up and happening for the next gig, which is on Saturday 10th May at Logan Gardens, behind the Logan Entertainment Centre for those who were involved in Uncharted. Let's kick off the year with a good one.

We are to play for 20 minutes in full costume (pull out the fluoro tunics people), and I may very well be leading if Remko is still in recovery mode, therefore I would be extreeeemely appreciative if those who can attend the gig can try to come both of the next two Thursday nights. Not only do I need to build my confidence, but you may feel you need to get used to my own nuances in trying to lead, which differ from Remko's style.

Logistics
Meeting time: 1:30pm
Meeting place: behind Logan Entertainment Centre, carpark, near the loading zone for Logan Entertainment Centre, in costume if possible
Performance time: 2:20 pm
Location: Albert and Logan News stage (one of two stages), 8m x 6.3m

I am hoping we can have a warm up before hand so please don't come late

For those who can pay with real money instead of tickets the next two Thursday nights, I will only request $8 instead of $10 towards room hire in rehearsals, so that it works out the same value as a ticket.

Thanks! See you on Thursday hopefully :)

Award for Brian

Brian just won the award for most lousy excuse not to attend class tonight: "I have to pack my bag for a djembe weekend in the Gold Coast".

Congratulations Brian!

Rehearsals next few weeks

As some of you already know, I'm going in for an operation on 1 May and will be recovering from that for 2 to 4 weeks. I'll have my lower jaw broken and extended so I have no idea how I'll feel and if I'll able to play during that time. Fortunately, our great Erin has agreed to take the classes while I'm away, so you don't have to go without your weekly samba!

This Thursday April the 24th will therefore be my last samba rehearsal for a few weeks - I really hope to see all of you then! We'll rehearse a few songs as well as some rhythms. Mel and Cedric could you please bring the microphone and amp etc.

Also, we are close to agreeing a gig on Saturday afternoon 10 May in Logan. Erin will more than likely lead this gig! Please keep an eye on the blog for further details.

Steph's birthday Confirmation!!

ADDRESS: 7 OAKMONT GROVE, KARANA DOWNS
TIME: 6.30-7PM
U CAN BRING: A DRINK OF SOME KIND?

I forgot the picture I wanted to post but it will be available for private viewing at my place on Saturday...

All sambistas!
Saturday night is now confirmed as THE date so get your coconut bras and grass skirts ready (I've got to get mine out and clean-up the dust... I'll post a picture to prove it tomorrow...)

Marcel, you are so cheap... Not even flying across the world for this






Ciao!

Stephanie's birthday!!

I know this sounds familiar, but I'm organising a birthday party for Stephanie (yes, she's turning 21 like Remko, how lucky is this?).

Here is the deal....

When: this Saturday night (still to be confirmed)
Where: at our new home in Karana Downs (still 1/2hr from Brisbane)
Theme: YES - TAHITI AND THE ISLANDS

Relax, fancy dressing is not an obligation... Actually, running naked around the house drinking lots of MaiTai would still do it...

Anyway, we'll supply some food, some Tahitian cocktail and heaps of traditional music. Despite this being her birthday, I might even get Stephanie to work and dance some nice Tamure for us while I drink my cocktail... (typical Tahitian male actually).

I would really like you guys to provide me some quick feedback on your availability. I know it's short notice and I'm trying to figure out whether that's gonna fly...

Cheers
Cedric

By the way, Marcel you are welcome...

Remko's Birthday

? Primavera Rap

Remko's birthday present

Happy Birthday call

Hi guys,
Sorry I had to quit somewhat abruptly but I had to take that call and it took a bit longer than expected. It was great seeing all of you again though, and may I say Melanie, your butt still looks marvelous.
I do bloody hope that I get the chance to come over and visit you lot sometime soon, but it may be a safer bet if you guys make it over here. I can do some tour bookings?

My birthday

Today marks my birthday, yet again! Besides having a great party tonight (like every other Thursday night) I'd like to do something on Saturday as well:

• 7pm Nicki and I will be at our favourite Indian restaurant in Ashgrove, on the way to the Gap. We'd love you to join us. The food is great, and the prices are reasonable.
• After that (approx. 9pm), we'll continue drinking wine & beer on our deck at our house in the Gap. If you don't like Indian you can still come here!
  

Again, I'd love you all to join us. Please drop me an email or let me know tonight.

PS: this is a good opportunity to see me cry, as I will have their famous hot vindaloo...

Drumming Technique

Hi,
I've heard a few people say they would be keen to play caixa but struggle with speed etc.

I think the remedy to this is to spend a little time looking at good drumming technique and so I'm happy to lend anyone a drumming DVD of mine on technique which covers a few things that we don't go over in class. The first 30min would be enough to watch.

Basically, with any stick drumming your fingers and wrists should play an important role (perhaps more so than your forearms). I definitely wouldn't be able to play as fast as we do at samba school if I had to move my whole forearm for each stroke! Watching the first half an hour of this should be enough (combined with a bit of practice) to get people playing agogo, tambourin, and caixa more comfortably and ergonomically and thus for longer periods at faster tempos.

While we're talking about next week's practice......

....... can we practice the technique of playing whisper-quiet when we're doing a song?

I'm really pleased we're starting to rehearse songs. It'll all add to our eventual "act". But given we're complaining we can't hear the singer, can we do something positive and try playing so quietly that the song can actually be heard?

There's a tendency when playing softly to slow right down. It's a skill, playing softly but still fast. So can that be something we try next Thursday?

Changes at the Polish Club

With the sharp decline in bar revenue caused by Marcel's departure, the Polish Club has decided to close the bar at 8pm on Thursdays. I now have a key to lock up the place when we're done.

To make sure we don't have to go completely without Polish beers, it will be possible to buy drinks prior to 8pm and keep them cool in the fridge in the kitchen downstairs. I'll make sure we'll have a break just before 8pm for you to buy some drinks (but only if we can start at a reasonable time, so don't arrive late).

Three days and counting.......

Yes, I have the sweaty desperation of a junkie comin' down hard, but I'm hanging in there, shivering cold in the corner, foetal position, ha ha ha.

Last day of March

Today is the last day of March. Let's find out if we receive some good news on Thursday...

Tonight

Everybody ready for tonight's rehearsal? Time for a new song - one specially requested by the great Fernando (has he heard the drums yet?). Tamborim players, take your Red Bull....!

See you then!

Message from Andy

I just received the following message from Andy:

Hi remko .

i broke my back in japan snowboarding!!

looks like i won't be at samba for a couple of months but consider me there
again when my rehabilitation is over.

hope everything's going well and lots of people playing samba.

please tell me if you got this email, i.e. reply!

bye for now.

andy

If he really broke his back he's pretty lucky to be back in a couple of months! On behalf of everyone in the Samba School, I wish him a speedy recovery!

Tomorrow's rehearsal

Hope everyone enjoyed the Olodum concert!!!

A few people (Patty, Angus, Paul, Fernando) can't make tomorrow's rehearsal. With Easter weekend starting on Friday, could you please let me know if you won't be there either? If there's not enough people I'll cancel the rehearsal. Note at this stage I plan to go ahead as per normal, with a special treat for our tamborim players (be afraid..... be very afraid ;-)

Olodum Ticket

Hi Guys, I have a spare ticket to sell.
Is anyone interested? I can work out a discount.
Cheers
Fernando

Olodum concert tomorrow

The Olodum concert starts at 8pm. Let's meet before that at the bar in Cascade Court!

Monoblobo

This is video from monobloco, a popular percussion group from Rio de Janeiro. They sing MPB songs and use percussion instruments as well as a cavaquinho.
Cheers
Fernando


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZRHeUBpXmw&feature=related

Instruments inventory

Today I did a big inventory of all instruments, and I labeled all of them as well. A few things I noticed I'd like to share with you:

• If anyone has borrowed any instruments, please let me know ASAP.
• A few instruments, in particular small instruments like agogos, shakers and tamborims, have disappeared. Can I ask everyone to keep an eye out when we have public workshops please. Sad but true.
• I noticed I've got a few instruments here that aren't mine. Please look after your own instruments, and write your name on them. Also, one of the benefits of you buying your own instrument is that I won't have to carry them all the time, so please don't leave them with me anyway...

Thanks!

Olodum tickets

Just a quick note that I'll be handing out the Olodum tickets tonight. If you're not there tonight, you'll have to meet me prior to the concert to pick up your tickets, or ask someone else to pick up your ticket on your behalf.

See you tonight for another great rehearsal: samba reggae, repeat of last week's song, and a new (samba reggae) song!

Paul's going to Brazil

Hi all,
As you probably know, I'm off to Brazil on 18 March. If you absolutely must, can't live without, don't mind imposing on Paul's holiday, no-matter-what-I-have-to-have-it, desperately want me to bring something back for you, let me know. I'd prefer that you email me than respond to this blog posting. Please don't wait for Thursday and think I'll remember what you want if you tell me at practice. I may not make it to practice this week as I have a big work week ahead. I will try to get there though. I'll miss you all when I'm lying on the beach in Rio and gazing at dental floss.

Marcel, if there's anything I can send to you to bring a little Brazilian sunshine to your day, I'd be happy to oblige.

Tchau,
Paulo

Date Claimer

Hi Everyone!

Please mark the evening of Saturday 17th May on your calendars as my roaring twenties themed birthday party. I'll send around further details closer to the date.

Cheers!

Logan International Womens Day gig today

I meant to get someone to take some pics of us performing and then promptly forgot the camera was in my bag. Duh!

Anyway, here's a couple I did take later on.......

First, Shekere Diva and her million-watt smile.



Next, DJ DIIINNNHHH!!!! Yaaay! (You have to make "funk" noises when you look at this one)




Hey Marcel, notice how SUNNY and WARM it is???? :)

I think we should have these caps as part of our new uniform - they really sparkle in the sun.

This Saturday's Gig!!

Hi everyone. Here are the details for the International Women's Day gig:

(P.S. I came home from the pub just for this...)

Venue: Logan Women's Health and Wellbeing Centre

Address: 1 Mary Street, Kingston.

Time to arrive: 10:30 am please to help unpack gear

Time to perform: 11 am

Workshop (play if you want to): 11:15 - 11:45am

Wear: whatever you like - relaxed and comfortable

Bring: what instruments you normally would bring/play

How to find the place:

Get onto the M1 heading south towards Gold Coast, and when you pass through Springwood with the Hungry Jacks and KFC on the left there will be one exit there just past the fast food boardwalk, but don't take that one, take the Chatswood Rd exit, which is the next one ( I think it's exit 24, but not sure to be honest) - there is a BMW Motorline place on the corner of the turn off. Continue along the service road (Chatswood Rd) which then comes to a roundabout. Turn right (which is still Chatswood Rd), and then you come to another roundabout. Turn right again and follow this road (Paradise, but there's no sign I think) between green mounds and some trees, and you reach another roundabout. Go straight through the roundabout which continues on as Paradise Rd (IKEA will be on your right).

You will pass a church on your left, then schools on your left and right. Continue to the end of Paradise Rd and turn left into Kingston Rd. Follow Kingston Rd past the shops, past Woolworths servo, and you will see on your left a sign which says LIBERTY and has a clock above it. Keep continuing on but look at the left side street names now. You will see Queens Rd, then Augustus, and then Clare street. When you go to pass Clare street you will notice another street which veers off Kingston Rd going downwards alongside the Kingston Rd barricade. TAKE THIS ONE. IT is Mary Street, and there is a sign indicating so.

At the bottom of the little hill is the Logan Women's Health Centre, which is painted a turquoise and maroon colour scheme (I think they are even Women's Day colours!)

Park either along the street, or in the Kingston Train Station parking, which is right next to the place. Remko can drive in and unload, but watch out for market stallholders I am told.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Easy to catch a train as it is right next to the Kingston train station. Get on the Beenleigh line (from anywhere between Park Rd station and Brunswick Street), and continue on past Kuraby, Trinder Park, Woodridge, and then get off at Kingston, the next stop.

WELL, I hope to see you there. It will be good to kick off the year with an easy and casual gig. Get the ball rolling, etc.

IF my directions are too crazy for you, you can look up Mary Street Kingston on http://www.whereis.com/ and get a pretty piccy. I tried to add the image of it but it wouldn't let me.

Cheers everyone. Happy Women's Day! And happy birthday to PAUL tomorrow!!! :)

Thank you!

Thanks everyone for a great rehearsal yesterday! It really glued together, and I hope we can continue this way because it sounded great! I really felt the groove as it should be. Don't know why though, we had some new people on different instruments, and we also had 3 fantastic caixas that really put the groove down well. Fantastic.

Thanks to Denis and Will for purchasing authentic caixas, it makes a big difference in the sound!
Also thanks to Cedric and Fernando for helping out with singing the song! And to Melanie for helping out with the sound system!

Tonight's rehearsal

Hi all, we've got a jam-packed rehearsal tonight, it's going to be great. What I'd like to do tonight:

• revision of Funk (including beautyful agogo line)
• revision paradinhas
• revision samba-reggae / Olodum
• a song!!!! Includes one break we need to practice, and I'd like to work on tamborim lines, and some well-timed shaker lines. Also for all to get experience to play together with cavaquinho
• if we have time: another song: samba-reggae!
  

I'll also have a sign-in list for the upcoming Olodum workshops for you.

See you tonight - and please be on time as we've got a lot to do.

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.

" 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!