Thank you!

Thank you all who played this afternoon at the Multicultural Festival. It was something different, with so many kids (and parents) involved, and I wouldn't have been able to do this without all of you, so thank you very much! I'm sorry I couldn't hang around after the gig to thank you all individually, and to hear all the stories - I really had to rush to get all the instruments back to the car, and then set up for the other gig. For those of you who were there - hope you liked it!

After both performances about 10 people came and talked to me, both on joining the samba school and for gigs. I even spoke with the guy from QLD Roar again.... he still wants to get us for 3 matches - let's see if it really happens this time.

Have a good week, and see you on Thursday. It might be busy with new joiners....

Early warning for Mel's Party Sun 24th Nov, lunchtime onward

Guys I'm having a party at my place on the afternoon of Sunday the 24th of November. I guess it will have to be a BBQ as the foundations for the deck will likely not be done by then, but you never know! Bring your drums cos you make lots of noise if U like. Also warm up the Playstaion 3 fingers cos well you know. Other ents will be the BBQ and polite conversation. Hugs Melanie

Also on Sunday...

I'll perform with a very special group: Jason Machado with a string ensemble, percussion & drums. On the lake stage, 4.40pm - 5:05pm. I can really recommend to come and see and listen to this!

Details for Multicultural Festival gig

This Sunday, we'll play at the Multicultural Festival in Roma Street Parklands. We'll play from 3pm - 3.35pm, on the children's stage, and it's going to be a combination of a performance and a workshop. Exactly how it will go I don't know yet, but I like to involve as many kids (and parents) as possible. Maybe something like what we did at the Polish festival. We'll have fun!

Please be there by 2.30pm, and dress creatively (in Pink & Green!)

Trivia Night

Paul and I have decided we'd like to have a go at a classic pub trivia night. All are welcome...
Chalk Hotel - 735 Stanley St Woolloongabba - 7pm Tuesday 16th October. & if you're running early...there's a pole dancing class for the ladies from 6.30pm. Cheers.

More Pictures from the Oxfam Gig

Guys I have the loverly ictures of you loverly people at http://picasaweb.google.com/BlizWizz/2007OxfamWalkOnWant

hope you like. I will keep them public for a week or two before hiding them so download if you want.

Oxfam photos

Sorry, with Brian not there, there will be few photos of the SWAT shakers. Still, here goes...

Gail, the face painting hippie

Dale's Surdo Workshop

Erin waves at herself in the mirror

Oxfam gig earlier today

Thank you all for yet another great gig. I really enjoyed playing next to the river, under cover by the trees, with a cool breeze, and lots of happy spectators. Well done everybody. I look forward to the photo's. The SWAT (Shakers With Attitude Team) did very well indeed! And, these kind of gigs often result in further interest, already somebody asked about us playing a gig in Springfield lakes, and some people were interested in joining us too!

Voor Marcel

Dank voor de drop! Rare gewaarwording, muntendrop met Euros in plaats van guldens!

Details for Walk against Want

We perform at 2pm on Sunday, please come to the stage (between QPAC and the river) at 1.30pm. Creative P&G. All systems go! Surdo players, please be prepared to walk a bit (not too far though). Brian is not playing so you can all relax now ;-)

Message from Donna

Hey Remko

Just wanted to let you know that I am still alive and kicking but you won't see me for a while. I am on late shift and will be for the forseeable future. Unfortunately, this means that I can't make any practice sessions so you will have to count me out for the time being. The way it's looking at the moment, you might not see me again untill February but rest assured, I will return.

Donna

Vulcana Visits Again!

Hi Everyone! It's been great to hear the buzz surrounding the collaboration with Vulcana Women's Circus coming from within the samba school! I'm excited that so many of you are enthusiastic about the 'Uncharted' project.

Super news!

Celia will be returning this Thursday (4th October) to hear some more swingin' samba but also with ideas for our involvement. She is as keen as we are to get this show on the road (so to speak) and to start building an "opening piece."

Once again, please be on time for rehearsal (7pm)

Super Sambistas : Roar against Racism 2007

Calling all Surdo players

This message is for all surdo players. I'm just going through a number of things, and I noticed that we have quite a few surdo beaters missing. Also, a number of straps I've bought over time have gone. So what's going on? Do some of you maybe have beaters/straps at home? Could you please have a look? Regarding straps, I distinctly remember buying a strap that looked like a car seatbelt. It's about $70 - and it's gone. I also had a brown leather belt - it's gone.

So, who needs all these straps at home, and why? And what's the deal with the beaters? I'm getting very worried...

Walk against want gig

As you are aware, our next gig is on Sunday 7 October: Walk against Want, with Oxfam Australia. The walk starts in Southbank, in front of QPAC, then goes over the goodwill bridge to the botanical gardens, makes a garden tour there (full circle), then goes back the same way. It's about 5km.

Now, I was thinking that's a bit long (especially with a 12kg surdo). So, I discussed a few options with the organisation:

• we just play at the start of the walk on a little stage
• we lead the walk for some time, than quietly walk back
• we lead the walk for some time, wait for the walkers to come back, then escort them on the final stretch back

Personally I think the last option is the best. We could walk say till the middle of the river on the goodwill bridge, wait there, and walk back.

Any comments/ideas?

Good luck Kathryn & Amanda

Tonight we unfortunately had to say goodbye to Amanda and Kathryn, who are leaving for Cairns and WA. We will miss them a lot, but I'm sure we'll be able to wreck their eardrums some other time in the future, and I'm looking forward already to seeing them again and to hear all their stories.

Good luck!

Message for Paul

Neneh, neneh, neh

Message for Remko

Do you mind publishing the results of your random polls? You can't run a dictatorship and pretend like it's a democracy. I want to know if my vote counts.

Amsterdam equivalent of the Polish Club

You can check in any time you want...(all they need is pink hats, I say)

Circus and Samba!

Sounds like a match made in a big top pitched on the sambadromo, right?

Please be on time this Thursday night (7pm start) as we have a representative from the Vulcana Women's Circus coming to experience our sound.

'Vulcana Women’s Circus, Multi-Link Community Services Inc., Speak Out and BEMAC are working to create a performance project, Uncharted, that is bringing together culturally diverse artists and communities to create a spectacular production to be presented at the Judith Wright Centre and the Logan Entertainment Centre in Dec 2007.

We are calling for expressions of interest from emerging performance troupes from around Brisbane to be part of this production of Uncharted. Participating troupes will have the opportunity to explore their repertoire with a director, to perform existing work or develop new work that is presented as part of this large-scale show.'

As you an see this is an extraordinary opportunity for us to be involved with a spectacular show.