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!

Following on from Erin & Claire's comments re costumes....

I'm only starting a new post because I couldn't work out how to do links and pictures in a response message *sigh* in the earlier post. Those more tech-savvy amongst us are now rolling their eyes. :)

At first, I had no idea what "ravey-type" pants even WERE but on checking it out, I think they have real potential - a very modern edgy look, combined with the practicality of places to put stuff.

As Remko said it's a good time to collectively start thinking about how we want to look. Do we want to have really elaborate spangly costumes like in Rio, or do we want a different look? Are we prepared to get together and have working bees to create these costumes?
Here's a few random thoughts I've had.......

- I think there are times when the group would look better wearing the same uniform, and also a time when the more casual “creative pink and green” is better. (turn, turn, turn). Getting a new uniform shouldn’t mean that’s all we wear forever and ever; I’d still like to see variety – wear what’s appropriate for different events.

- The “look” we’re after: It would be great to look like these guys...

But how do you clean these outfits and maintain them? Maybe we could have rave pants and some sort of top during casual daytime events, and make sparkly capes to put on over this for evening events where more glamour is wanted?

- Whichever way we go, we still want to look really striking. When we’re at an event like a big parade or at a soccer game, a solid block of colour looks much better.

For below the waist I like the idea of white shoes and white cotton slacks like this band.

I see these as able to be used both with the uniform and with any “creative casual” outfit.

Ideas for the top half? Well, here’s just one idea for consideration. Here is a pic of something I really like, although I have no idea how the surdo girlies keep their tops up!

Remember the Logan kids’ tops at “Uncharted”? They had cotton tops that were hand painted. Perhaps we could get white cotton tops and if there’s such a thing, washable paint in bright pinks and greens and paint the tops in tribal patterns like in the photo. People who wanted to wear really brief crop tops could do so; while others (like me!) could wear shirts. We could also have stripes of pink and green face paint.

Of course, as well as a costume like this, we could always create extra “pieces” if we wanted to be more shiny and dressed up for a night-time event. Things like cuffs and big collars in spangly materials could be worn over the top. And I haven’t even gotten around to head-dresses!

Just a few ideas for tossing around.

Where is Marcel now ?

Where do you think Marcel is now ? :

1. Roaming Amsterdam pharmacy looking for "pills" , any " white pills " that calm him down.
2. Looking for Dutch samba school where surdo players DON'T DANCE.
3. Forming a break-away samba school with NO DANCING POLICY.
4. . . . . . . . . . . . . ( fill in the blank. Use your imagination )
   

A new samba year

Happy New Year everyone! Hope you all had a great time, and that the break makes you think how much you miss samba ;-)

Classes will resume on Thursday 24 January. I was planning to start one week earlier but I'll spend a week working in Melbourne.

The start of a new year is always time for reflection, and even more so looking forward to the next year. So here's what I want to achieve this year:

• Most importantly, focus on our stage act. I've realised that we need to look much better on stage, it's not just about the music. So choreographies, great costumes, smiling and showmanship are all on the agenda
  
• As always, attract more members to the samba school
• Higher musical standard. I've heard some comments over the last year that 'it doesn't have to be perfect'. That attitude will need to change - and we'll work together on that
  
• More gigs

I look forward to your ideas for next year, please comment on this post. Happy new year!

nothing to smile about

As you guys can see, I miss you dearly, Thailand is miserable, even if they have beautiful beaches and fish to explore while snorkeling. But I miss you guys, one and all!

YOU'RE SURE ABOUT THE SMILES REMKO?? ALL RIGHT THEN!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS !! JOYEUX NOEL !!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! BONNE ANNEE!!

HAPPY EASTER!! JOYEUSES PAQUES!!

Xmas break!

For those of you who weren't there last night, and actually also for those of you who were there last night, have a fantastic Xmas and a great new year! I look forward to seeing all of you again in the new year!! The main focus for the new year will be to improve our performance on stage, that includes the visual aspect: costumes, choreography, and smiling. Gail has volunteered to do a smiling workshop somewhere late January when she's back at school again.

I'll see you all in the new year. When? Well keep reading 'the blog'....

That little girl

Is it hot or Remko simply losing his pants ?!?!

Uncharted - once more

Just one more final message about the Uncharted performances to thank you all and congratulate you on a job well done! It was a rare occasion, these things don't happen that often and I think we really made a difference to the performance. I know most of us really enjoyed it, and that's great!

Special thanks to:

• Claire, Dale, Erin, Lynne, Miki, Patty (did I miss anyone?) for making the initial contact with Vulcana and for thinking "outside the box" about our involvement
• Erin for stepping up and learning to play repinique, as well as being able to lead such a wild and wonderful bunch of people
• Cedric for letting me play with his Frog one night
  
• All of you for committing so much of your time during rehearsals and the performances

At the end I accepted Vulcana's thank you card on behalf of all of us. I'll bring it in on Thursday and will also scan it in and post it on the Blog. I think it's appropriate that Erin will keep the original!

So, I hope to see you all on Thursday for this year's final rehearsal. I'll do my best to make it an extra special one to close off the year in style. Maybe we could also bring some nibblies for in the bar after the rehearsal?

Cheers
Remko

Picture links for Uncharted and Marcel & Dionnes Bash

link to

http://picasaweb.google.com/BlizWizz

for luscious pictures!

Do you know this chair?

This chair was left lonely and homeless after a wild and raucous party at Orleigh Park. Please let us know if you are the owner or know of a fitting home for this poor poor creature, before it will be deported on Tuesday!

PS: the chair's foster parents would like to thank everyone for a great farewell party!!!

PARTY PLAN B

Hi all,

Just a quick note to let you know that if indeed the impossible happens and it will rain Saturday after a 13 year drought,

PLAN B
Plan B is we'll move the party to our place at 1 Drake street, which is just up the road (Hoogley street, to be exact) from the West End Ferry stop.

There we will be playing the exciting party game Pack a Box with Dionne and Marcel
We're very much hoping we won't have to go for Plan B, though


PLAN C

Plan C is Cedric's party on Sunday.

(Mind you, Dionne and myself are unfortunately unlikely to be able to make it there, but that should not deter you from having a great time in our absence. See it as a dry run for your life from Tuesday onwards.)

Tomorrow's rehearsal in Logan

Mmm I didn't get an email from Celia so I called her and she said she sent it this morning to everyone...

So, in case you didn't get the email either, please be at the Logan Entertainment Centre for ther rehearsal tomorrow as close as possible to 6pm. Address is 170 Wembley Road, Logan.

If anyone has further info about this (or maybe a copy of the email itself), please post as a comment to this post.

Happy Birthday Marcel!!!

Jees, I can't believe you people!
I haven't even left the country yet, and already everybody seems to have forgotten about me.

And to think that today I'm actually celebrating my 21st birthday! (for the 19th time)

"Uncharted": Saturday Night

Uncharted Acts of Genius

Hi everyone! I just wanted to say that everyone has committed so much energy and effort into Uncharted, and it paid off with a fantastic show being offered to the community. Everyone performed extremely well, and I am so grateful that members were so supportive for me in my first time role of leading in performance, which was rather scary. Despite some mistakes from me, everyone held it together really well, and no one held any grudges, which is great.

Mel managed to record the show from the lighting box on Saturday night, so I am keen to see how that turned out. Maybe we could have a screening of it at my place after the last show at Logan??? Happy to provide local venue after this for drinks, food and debriefing (professional of course - keep yer undies on!).

All in all, well done, and let's look forward to a bright new year where we can expand our capacities further.

Cheers!

"Uncharted" : 20 mins before friday night performance

Last minute attempt to introduce the chicken dance by some sambista members.
Not interested.

URGENT - person needed for Saturday afternoon show

Hi all,

Celia has kindly offered to let the samba school bring someone in to film our performance on Saturday afternoon. As you know I have a video camera for just such a purpose.

The best way to do this would be to have someone seated in the front row. All they need to do is sit behind the camera, which will be set up on a tripod, and press record.

If you can bring someone for this very important task to the Saturday show, please respond to this blog as soon as possible.
We need to advise Celia of the person's name so that security will let them in, and let them use the camera.

By the way, CONGRATULATIONS ERIN!!!! You did a fantastic job last night. We are all very proud of you.

See y'all tonight and tomorrow.

Cheers,
Paul

Vulcasamba Circus

Samba Pyramid