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

"Uncharted"

Fare thee well, Australians

Fare thee well, Australians,
we must say goodbye to you now

As some of you may have heard, Dionne and Marcel are finally buggering off and leaving this country for good (well, for worse, actually) on Tuesday 18 December.

To make this even remotely bearable to us, please come and say goodbye on Saturday 15 December here in Orleigh Park from 4 pm. In the grand Australian tradition (amended to stingy Dutch values) this will be a BYOE party
(Bring Your Own Everything - drinks, eats, chairs, toys, furry pets, acceptable partners and/or offspring) as our own stuff should be all packed up, and besides, we are Dutch & cheap. There are even some electric barbecues, if we can fight off the resident Aussies.

There may also be a surprise raffle, as we are yet to find someone to buy our car. Participation will be mandatory and somewhat pricey. (Please contact us if you want to prevent this by buying the car before the 15^th)

We really hope you can make it Saturday the 15th!

Dionne & Marcel

Sashes of the world unite

Tomorrow (Wednesday), a very few very dedicated sambistas are doing a small but high profile gig at lunchtime for QLD Roar. They wanted a very small group (for a small room) so I didn't advertise this on the Blog.

We'd like to look our best, and likely need some more pink&green stuff and in particular sashes. Could I ask everyone who reads this message in time and has a sash at home to bring it to rehearsal tonight? You'll get it back tomorrow. Thanks!

HOUSE/CITIZENSHIP WARMING PARTY

Hi All,

Finally we are gonna have a house warming party (I guess we've had one every year for the past 7 years...) and we'll celebrate our Aussie citizenship as well.

So...

When: from 6pm on the 16th of December (remember it's because of Marcel and Remko)

Where: 7 Oakmont Grove, Karana Downs (see picture, still working on the renovation)

What to bring: a drink or some food you like (or one you want to get rid of, I guess)

The only thing guaranteed is some "Steak au Poivre" as part of Remko's exorcism (we need to get zeu French Freug out of his body although losing the "moustache" is a good sign already).

Hope to see you all there!

Cheers

Cedric and Stephanie and the kids and the cats and the possum and the parrots and the brown snakes.

Revisiting the Objectives

Here are some of the objectives from the planning day as explained below.

Organisational Functions

Structure of Primavera

• School
• Club
• Organisation
• Performance Group/s
• Mentor program
• Artisitc Direction

Bookings

• Maintaining contacts, finding new contacts, and finding venues
• Booking Diary for gigs and rehearsals

Business Structure

• Accounts
• Admin

Resource Management

• Instruments, loaning and buying
• People / human resources

Work Towards a Goal

Planning a special gig which was not a gig, but was an initiative to try new creative mixes of material (this was supposed to be planned for this Christmas - and that is exactly what happened through Uncharted! This one has been met initially.)

Projects

WEBSITE:

• new design and layout, which reflects our vision, is database driven, downloadable photos which can be regularly updated - Acheived! However the photo dump idea is now under discussion for a link on the brisamba website and may be implemented soon.
• maintenance/updating the website - Remko did a great job with the new website, and now the challenge is keeping it up to date. There are some nice recent pics which could be added maybe for example. We should get some from rehearsals at Uncharted and add to the ad on brisamba site.
• booking diary - Achieved, there is one on the new brisamba website.
• online feedback survey/response form on website - This was put in place only insofar as delivering the blog surveys among our members about various unimportant issues.

INDUCTION PROCESS

• Membership drives - recurring activities which are aimed at recruiting targeted areas or demographics as members, e.g. African group from Logan, Uni students, West Enders, New Farm Park'ers, Orleigh Park'ers, etc.
• User name, IDs, blog membership, etc. - Members to be offered these quickly when they show interest
• Intro to our group - how we work, members are given a choice of instruments, etc.
• Conceptual intro to Brazilian music - cultural details and history
• Instrument based tutorials - proper introduction to instruments and some basic skills by Remko or section member
• Incorporate awareness of which sections need reinforcement - recruit for specific sections
• Mentoring - members will mentor new people and welcome into their section, encouraging them to jump in and showing patterns slowly, etc.

COSTUMES

• personalised? everyone's different by same colour swatch to work from could work to coordinate
• design
• finance
• regular reviews
• maintenance
• must look impressive, or spectacular
• good to have a couple of versions for formal, and casual.
• T-shirt plus fancy uniform (members could buy their own T-shirt)

BANNER/FLAG

• Need a person to carry the flag or banner too. Could be handing out business cards as well..

MARKETING

• New flyers
• Discussion about updating business cards
• Dispersing flyers around targeted communities, or wide as possible, including the Powerhouse, as half the band was recruited through there!
• Registering with the Councils
• Create an info pack/DVD for marketing to potential employers, etc.
• Festival watch - all to be involved in engaging gigs where possible

RECRUITMENT DRIVES

• Recruit dancers
• Play in New Farm Park, Orleigh, etc. to recruit and play for fun, generate interest, etc. Have someone on hand to pass out flyers and cards
• Regular recruitment drives, based on numbers and growth possibilities (if we don't have enough of certain instruments, we may have to recruit for specific sections)

SHOWMANSHIP

• Smile, Have Fun! Remember when you are rehearsing and when you are performing
• Coordinated choreography, within whole band, within sections and individual choreography as well maybe
• Fusion of styles for fun
• Use of other instrumentalists, eg bass player, flautist, singers
• Spare earplugs for audience and members
• Need dancers!
• Playfulness in performance, act out your part

MANUAL / CD / DVD

• Procedures: good for visual people to learn from
• Incorporate group's artistic direction
• Set lists for use in performance, practising the order in rehearsals
• Visual musical notation for each instrument
• Name all songs we play for easy reference in conversation or on blog/members only website

HOST AN 'END OF YEAR' SHOW

• Gives people something to work towards
• The spark of new material
• Networking, meet other artists
• Fundraising - costumes, instruments, etc.
• Look at getting a regular gig about quarterly or so, and work with other artists and groups to put together similar show to Uncharted, but more like a list of various segments, with lots of guest artists.

__________________________________________________

TASK LIST

1. set list and rehearsal (Not Achieved, but have implemented a set list through Uncharted - new way for us to work)
2. money collection at rehearsal (Achieved! Patty has kindly stepped up to the plate much of the time, and this can rotate if necessary)
3. website and photo updates (Not Achieved - some photos on blog, discussion about more links over Xmas period...
4. answering emails (Achieved - I think this was Remko going mad at us for not responding to his emails about gigs, etc. - I think we are communicating more regularly through the blog, by email and by phone)
5. flyer drops - regular (Not Achieved!)
6. choreography (Also Not Achieved! or not explored properly yet anyway)

:) Please respond with your thoughts about either the agreed aims and objectives from last year, or about the ideas for new things which I posted before this one.

IDEAS AND REVISITING OBJECTIVES

Hi all! I decided I would draft a little "brain dump" of ideas for our samba school/performance group. These are a combination of my own ideas and those of several others in the band. If I have forgotten any suggested, I apologise. I will also revisit some of the results of the strategic planning we undertook last year. Some of the objectives discussed have been met and others not, so I would suggest now is a good time to focus on the ideas still floating. Cheers!

IDEAS:
Instrument Variations

• Playing the triangle for one or two songs (eg. Magalena)
• Use of singing (eg. Magalena)
• Vocal percussion
• Vocal cuica at various poignant moments
• Tri-tone Samba whistles
• Creative attachment ideas for Tamborims, Agogo and Pandeiro, so that players can wear a second instrument hooked onto the belt tab of our overalls, for example. Use one of those G-clasps and hook onto a short tied lace looped through a metal ring on the taborim or pandeiro..?
• Erin and Remko to do a Duet de Repinique: e.g. take turns doing a paradinha (calls) each, Remko first, and then Erin leading the band into one of the calls from the Junior Bloco link I posted a while ago. This could continue on into the swing samba groove we have been playing more of lately, with the overlapping triplets played by Erin and Remko
• Have extra surdos on hand for some members to jump onto surdo for a powerful effect and maybe explore the melody of the surdos more. We can always have beaters in pockets or whatever
• Snare section does a solo break where Tamborim players turn around, caixas step forward, and play syncopated patterns on the tamborims, and maybe on their drums here and there too. Tamborim players might turn, bend to one knee and hold up tamborim above head
• Attach cowbells and jamblocks to snare drums for caixa section, to have more timbale flavour every now and then. Use for drumline sounds too

Song Variations

• Jungle: the surdo part could be followed by: left arm up, then right arm up to click the wood of right beater onto wood of the left, and repeat.
• Timbalada (Jungle version #2?): could feature sections led by Tam Tam (Paul has one doesn't he?)

Other Ideas

• Improve showmanship: smiling, looking like you are enjoying, hamming it up for an audience, playing a character, having fun and being mischievious. Exude energy and movement, confidence and participation.
• Put together some coordinated dance moves and section formations for certain songs. Work on getting quality of sound and movements in time.
• Invite dancers and students who are into samba to come along and dance with us at rehearsals whenever they like, so we can network, learn the style of playing to get the best out of samba dancers, work on joint initiatives in future
• Recruit some of the African group into the band!! They'd be into it I think. This might really help with the singing part too!

Fusion Sounds

• African 6/8 patterns (as song or as intro)
• 6/8 timing blending back into 4/4 or 2/4
• African dance segment in response to the change of genre
• Drumline styled energetic performance pieces with lots of formalised grandeur and erect postures, movement and dynamics with syncopated rhythms, impressive sticking and a few mischievious tricks (I'm looking at you, Denis..)
• Experiment with non-batucada instruments mixed with samba, eg. keyboard, flute, bass guitar, saxophone, viola/violin, congas, etc.
• Experiment with fusion of different genres e.g. Brazilian and Flamenco? Andean flutes...
• Mix in some more Afrocuban sounds, through tamborims playing son and rumba clave (2/3 or 3/2), and repinique playing similar timbale style, with bells if possible. Could make use of rim knocking here for effect (e.g. like the 'boom boom' in the soccer match for Unchartered but with beater wood hitting onto the rims of the surdos, and snares. Tamborim to do syncopated solo patterns over the top of it, with effective use of pause-

Tamara's wedding ( Pt II )

has anyone ever noticed...

That not only is "G.R.E.S. Unidos da Primavera" Brisbane's first and only Samba School, but we are also very likely the only samba school who, according to our blog header, performed for huge audiences at events like the Gold Goast Indy!

We rule, I say!
(well, as of next week you guys rule, and I no longer rule with you. Anyone getting tears in their eyes yet?)

Uncharted: Brisamba Call sheet

Below are the times for the Uncharted production at the Judith Wright Centre.

Saturday 1 December 12.00 - 5.00pm Full rehearsal with whole cast

Tuesday 4 December 5.30 - 9.30pm Technical rehearsal with whole cast

Wednesday 5 December 5.30 - 10.00pm Dress rehearsal

Thursday 6 December 5.30 - 9.30pm Preview (performance)

Friday 7 December 6.00 - 9.30pm Opening Night

Saturday 8 December 12.30 - 3.30pm & 5.30 - 9.30pm Closing Night and Bump Out

Plucky little devil called Cedric offers hope for his species' future

Although I personally feel it's somewhat disrespectful to a fellow Aussie, it is nevertheless good news for the wildlife population...

A RAY of hope has appeared for the beleaguered Tasmanian devil, with the discovery that one of the marsupials has produced an immune response to the ghastly facial tumour disease.

Scientists who injected treated tumour cell lines into a young male devil called Cedric found, for the first time, that the animal produced a detectable antibody.

read more here

2008 Eurovision contest

Will and Erin were working on a Abba's inspired samba rhythm for the 2008 Eurovision

Rehearsals for the rest of the year

With the circus rehearsals and performances taking up quite a bit of time, I just realised there's only two normal rehearsals left for the rest of the year: this week, on the 29th, and 20 December, which will be the last rehearsal before summer break.

Rehearsals on 6, 13 and 27 December will be canceled.

I am around in January, so we could start again on say 10 January. What do you think?

Instruments

I've found someone who has a few samba instruments for sale. No surdos at this stage, but he's got a few snares, some big loud shakers, and also some repiniques. Please let me know if you're interested.

On another note: did someone take one of the big shakers home on Thursday? I'm missing one.

Costumes for Uncharted - details asap please

ATTENTION 'UNCHARTED' PERFORMERS!

Please see the message below from 'Uncharted' team.

"Hi this is Tiffany designing for Uncharted with vulcana... I need to get everyones height , shirt and trouser measurements please so i can get your overalls picked up...yay!I'll also be sending you an email but if we could get thesemeasurements asap that would be excellent.. cheers tiffany"

If you haven't already replied to Tiffany, please forward the following measurements to claire.petersen@brisamba.com and I will pass them on.

Height -
Shirt -
Trouser -

Cheers,

Claire

Olodum tickets booked!

For those who wanted to go to Olodum, I've just booked 16 tickets, rows E and F, seats 21-28! So book the date in your calendar, I can't wait! Tickets are $128 each, I've paid for them for now so please reimburse me when you're ready.

Update: some of you have asked me for bank details. If you'd like to pay this way, please drop me an email and I'll reply with details. Also, when you have paid, please drop me an email as well so I can keep track of it. Cheers!

Tonight - be on time please

We've got a fairly busy program tonight, with Vulcana attending our rehearsal again. As some will have to leave early tonight, I'd like to start as early as possible, so please be on time. Thanks!

Pride 2008

Just received the following email:

Hi Remko

Wanted to let you know that it has been decided to change the Rally and March next year so we will not be requiring the services of the band for 2008. Going for a disco atmosphere. I would like to thank you for being a part of our festival for the past 4 years. It has been great working with you and hearing the band. I will never forget the first year with the sound of the drums filling the city.

Thanks again and all the best for the future

Scott

PS If you ever need a reference, please don’t hesitate to pass on my details

I guess they found out that Marcel is leaving for Holland...

Tamara's Wedding

Jambezi

Hey,
For anyone interested in hearing more of the marimba band that played at Tamara and Michael's wedding. You can find (and hear) them here...
http://www.myspace.com/jambezimusic

Denis Jr

Hi all

I stumbled upon this fim of Denis as a youngster, up to his old tricks as usual..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjMZJq2VwNI&feature=related

Some call it A.D.D. while others hypothesize that the devil hath overtaken, but I think more likely it's the sangria....

Olodum in Brisbane!

For those of us who missed Olodum in Bahia, and for all of you who haven't made it to Brazil yet, here's a second chance to see Olodum!

Olodum, the legendary samba-reggae group from Salvador, Bahia, will be touring in Australia and will perform at QPAC on Tuesday 18 March 2008, at 8pm.

I really recommend all of the samba school to attend this performance. Not only will it be a great gig, we also will be able to get some ideas for new breaks, choreography, and costumes. Tickets are not cheap but it's a lot cheaper than actually going to Brazil! There's two ticket prices, $128 for front section, $102 for back section. My strong preference is the front section, and I hope you all agree.

I've set up a register for this event, let's get tickets together. Please register before Tuesday 20 November, or if you really can't do this send me an email. I volunteer to buy the tickets on our behalf, and you can reimburse me later.

Tamara's wedding

For those of you going to Tamara's wedding this Saturday, I've got a slight logistic challenge which means I won't be able to transport (m)any instruments that day. So on Thursday, we have to share the load. Let's discuss then...

costume call

Hello costumers,

I have to get some pants made for a dance performance. Can anyone recommend a costume maker?

While I welcome comical responses, this is a serious blog, so could someone please give me a lead?

Thanks,
Paul

Possible gig Tuesday 13 November

Update 12pm Tuesday - THIS GIG HAS BEEN CANCELLED

I just received a call from an agency regarding a gig at the Surfers Paradise Mariott hotel pool next Tuesday the 13th of November. We've not finalised a detailed program yet, but it sounds like a lot of fun. I hope there will be enough of you to make it happen, as it's on a Tuesday night. I'll post more details later as they come in, but for now I need to know who can make it, so please register here. Thanks!

Primavera Mascot

REMEMBER WHEN YOUR MOTHER TOLD YOU NEVER TO TAKE CANDY FROM A STRANGER....
...THIS IS WHO SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT!!!!

Bloco Coringa

HI! I just wanted to share this , because I'm a sharing caring type of gal. I like the style of these guys, because it's a great groove, the dancer is funky, and the band plays well while they perform simple dance steps. Each section responds to the others in their calls, especially the repi, caixa and surdo.

Paul here's some Timba action for you, and Katherine too, if you're still blogging on every so often. Haven't heard from Donna in awhile either! Remko, you may reserve some disdain for it all being so choreographed, but it certainly 'aint sloppy, that's fur sure!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srA-xBUO1yE&mode=related&search=

I tend to appreciate the junglesque undertones of the dancer's outfit (despise the band's lack of costume-wise imagination however), but that's the feral in me. I kind of imagined our band with an eclectic, street-jungle mash-up sort of outfit, but with some definitive glam to satisfy Remko's Sgt. Pepper/Disco Stu/Dragqueen/Gary Glitter leanings. ha ha

Groove Brazil Party

Hi folks,
Angelo and Gaby are having a party tonight to celebrate 2 years of Groove Brazil in Brisbane!

Where: Corner Vulture st and Wellington Rd
When: 8.30pm Friday 2nd Nov.
Cost: $10
There will a class from 8.30pm and performances from around 10pm.

Some of us from samba school might even take to the stage...

Hope to see you there!

I have no shame...

More details next month...

Circus rehearsal

Hi All of Brisamba members involved in the Uncharted performance,

We are having a rehearsal of 2 of the music pieces that involve body percussion and the cahon and palmas this Monday 29 Oct, from 6.30 – 8.30 at the Stores Studio at the Brisbane Powerhouse. The circus performers will be rehearsing in the same room so you will get to meet each other.

The studio is right on the carpark of the Powerhouse behind the big roller-door for those of you who may not know it. The Powerhouse is 119 Lamington St, New Farm.

If you can’t make this rehearsal that is fine we can work out a strategy for catching people up at a later date.

Cheers

Celia

appeal to help a friend with breast cancer

Hi all,
This is not the usual blog entry you'll see from me. My friend and work colleague Angela has breast cancer. Her son Connor has written to all her workmates in an effort to raise some money for her treatment. I'll paste his message verbatim below. If you are able to help in any way please let me know. Thanks, Paul

My name is Connor Rattray and I am 11 years old.

My Mum, Angela has Inflammatory Breast Cancer and has been getting treatment for over a year. She has chemotherapy and goes into hospital every week. Not many people every get Inflammatory Breast Cancer – it is also very hard to beat!!!

Mum has to pay for a new medicine that costs over $4000.00 per time. We have to pay for 6 of these – about one every three weeks. So that’s $24 000.00

I want to raise money for the medicine, to help my Mum beat this cancer. So far it’s working and I know it will keep on!

Connor’s Epic Adventure:

I am going to bushwalk 40 kilometres through the Lamington National Park. I will carry my backpack, sunscreen, tent, food, water and camp overnight.

I want people to sponsor me, per kilometre, or just donate money, to help me in my adventure.

I love doing art with my Mum, we often go bushwalking when she’s well and I want to help her. Please help me do this.

You Can:

Be an Event Assistant!!!!

Could you please take this letter and the Epic Adventure Pamphlet and start getting your friends to help with donations. Mum has said you will need a receipt book – please let me know if and when you are collecting money and I will forward you one.

For information on my walk, you can call Connor on 044 707 5788; my big brother (Event Marketing) Mitchell on 044 777 4904 or Jenny Moss (Fantastic friend and support!) on 0422 812 785.

We will be walking on the 30th of Nov to the 2nd of Dec


Thanks so much for your support



Connor Rattray

Vulcana Women's Circus

In the past month, we have had a couple of visits from Celia from Vulcana's women's Circus, regarding a possible cooperation for their production in December.

It is now time to decide. It's not an easy call as there is quite a bit of commitment involved. Besides a number of dedicated rehearsals on Thursdays in the next month, and maybe a couple of visits to the circus practice on Mondays, we'd need to commit to all of the following:

• Sat 1 Dec, 1-5pm: Final Rehearsal (Stores Studio)

Production Brisbane – The Judith Wright Centre

• Tue 4 Dec – Full Technical Rehearsal
  
• Wed 5 Dec – Dress Rehearsal
• Thu 6 Dec – Preview
• Fri 7 Dec - Opening Night
• Sat 8 Dec – Matinee and Closing Night

Production Logan – Logan Entertainment Centre

• Thu 13 Dec – Rehearsal 6-10pm
• Fri 14 Dec – Performance

Call times for the performance nights will be finalised closer to the event. But all performances are at 7.30 except the matinee which is at 2pm.

Can you make it? Are you prepared to invest the time? Please register here urgently. We'll need to make a call this week. I'll be interested in your comments too, please comment on this post.

As with all gigs, if you say 'yes' now means people will be counting on you, so please vote wisely...

Tamara's wedding

We have been invited to attend, and to play at, Tamara's and Mike's wedding on the 17th November in Maleney. After the 4.30pm ceremony we would go to the reception hall and play some samba at 6pm when they arrive.

It is going to be a really fun, relaxed and unconventional wedding so we are very excited to have Primavera there! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

If anyone wants to stay in Maleny - there is camping at the showgrounds, where the hall is (suited for camper vans) and it is $10.00 per campsite per night.This can be booked by phoning 5494 2008. There is also a Maleny accommodation website www.malenyaccommodation.com.au/

Thanks to everyone who is coming and playing at the wedding. I am very happy to have many of my Samba friends there! Even though I have been so slack at coming to practise this year, my heart is always there and I can't wait to have some more time once the wedding is over!

Best wishes,
Tamara

Please register before 26th October as Tamara needs definite number for catering. If you can't make it, please register as well. Let's organise some carpooling once we know who is going.

Please register here.

Further details can be found in Tamara's letter to guests.

Solidarity Samba in Orleigh Park

Dedication!

How's that for dedication: Patty sent in a picture of her new 'pink & green' garden! This is the first step in her giant 'makeover': now that the garden has been done, David will start with the outside of the house (pink), the deck (green), the floorboard (alternating pink & green planks), the fridge (green) and toothbrushes (pink). Once that's all done Patty hopefully will have found the new 'pink & green' spray-on tan to top it all up.

Talking about nature: we had an injury yesterday during the gig. Can I remind everyone that everyone is responsible for their own actions and that at no stage I will assume any responsibility for either your physical or mental health. Anyway, about the injury, this involved Marcel being attacked by a ferocious ant! Marcel is expected to make a speedy recovery, but if you feel so inclined, flowers can be delivered to me on Thursday's rehearsal and I'll make sure they end up with Marcel one way or another. Please check any flowers for ants though.

On a related matter: a snake got attacked by Dale, and due to lack of anti-Dale venom the snake unfortunately doesn't live to tell...

Dance!

I think I've found a solution for the complaints about our dancing/not enough dancing/not dancing the same thing - as well as Remko's obsession with topless playing.

Check out this fellow on another blog:
dance!

I think it's a local, and I suggest we line up a few in front of the shakers, and have the best stage act in the land!

Brazilian Feijoada this Saturday!

Hi all,
Angelo and Gaby from Groove Brazil are hosting an afternoon party this weekend. There will be lots of Brazilian music, dance, and feijoada - the popular Brazilian dish.

When: 1pm Saturday 20th Oct.
Where: Uniting Church Hall, 35 Princess Street, Kangaroo Point
Cost: $10
BYO drinks
RSVP: Angelo on 0421917688 (this is important for catering purposes!)

Hope to see you there.

Confirmed gig: Stand together

Further to the previous post, this gig is now confirmed for noon, Sunday 21 October. It will be a fairly casual gig, and depending on the number of people there I might also do a workshop. I look forward to a more relaxed gig, for the last two gigs I couldn't really relax and have a chat with all of you afterwards. There will be free hamburgers....

I believe this is just around the corner from Marcel too...
Dress code: up to you

Please register here.

Possible gig this Sunday

Hope you guys enjoyed the trivia night (and the pole dancing). Meanwhile, I wrote the following email. Please let me know what you think. And sorry for making some assumptions on your views on this issue:

Hi Angie

Thank you for forwarding this message to us.

Although the Brisbane Samba School is only indirectly affected by this issue (Brazilian music has strong African roots), I do believe that a large number of participants in our samba school share Ian's view below and as such welcome his initiative.

I therefore consider offering the Brisbane Samba School for Sunday's event free of charge. We could do a free workshop, free performance, or both. As we don't need a stage or any amplification there would be no further organisation required. I could also announce this event on our website (http://brisamba.com).

However I do like to check with the organisation if this would be appreciated before I invite some 20-odd loud percussionists to rock up uninvited...

Could you please pass on my offer to the organisers? I'd be happy to discuss this further by phone if required.

Thank you

Remko Wallach

Brisbane Samba School "G.R.E.S. Unidos da Primavera"

0411 646 083

Check out our new website at http://brisamba.com

---

From: Angie Spencer
Sent: Tuesday, 16 October 2007 12:50 PM
Subject: Stand Together

Please see e-mail below and attached flyer.

MAQ encourages your support of this event and the African community in Queensland.

---

From: Ian Muil
Sent: Tuesday, 16 October 2007 8:46 AM
Subject: Agree with Minister Andrews - Stand Together

Some few days ago Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews made a number of media statements that African refugees, particularly Sudanese refugees, are no longer welcome in Australia.

Interestingly, police in Victoria, NSW and Queensland have issued statements refuting his suggestion. Crime rates attributable to Sudanese, or African, migrant are no higher than for the rest of population.

This was a calculated ‘dog-whistle’ playing the race card.

But his comments have offended many and caused deep personal hurt to many African/Sudanese migrants/refugees now settling here. Ironically, many of them recall that this sort of comment was the first signal they had in their home country to events which resulted in them being rounded up, imprisoned, moved out of their tribal areas, and then hunted down.

To extend the hand of neighbourly friendship and allow ordinary Australians to say welcome ECCQ has initiated a sausage sizzle at Orleigh Park in West End next Sunday. The event is being jointly organised by a number of agencies with ECCQ and we have been promised some financial support from Multicultural Affairs Queensland and have already given some financial support by the Liquor, Hospitality & Miscellaneous Workers Union (LHMU).

I ask that you circulate this flyer and encourage you to attend – the greatest support we can get from anybody is to actually be there on the day to shake the hand of an African person, have a soft drink and hamburger together, and tell them there inclusion in our community is appreciated, respected and wanted.

That’s the only way we’re going to salve some of the deep personal hurt caused by callous politicians.

Ian Muil

Executive Manager

ECCQ

This explains a lot

Sign at the mulitcultural festival...

Multicultural Festival 2007

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.

Message for Marcel

Gail wants to know when Marcel is back, however she has given up in despair. Here is her message (note there's only 4 CAPITALS in there):

hi remko,, i can't log on to the blog. i remembered manuel tried to help me ages ago but i ended up putting it in the too hard basket. i think it was a bit of a run around if i can remember. so i had a quick go the other day but other things came up. tell marcel i went to a huge ammount of trouble to leave a comment on the blog eventhough i am a techno dinosaur. that is how important he is to me. now i have to get back to my cave dwelling. see you next week. have a good one. GAIL

What would happen...

What would happen if we got some really good costumes? Something like, say, a Disney character. Say Pluto. And what would happen if, during a gig, some kid annoys you so much, you just loose it? This would happen!

It's a Girl!!!

Hi all! Well, after a tumultuous evening of passionate drumming and ten hours worth of birthing screams and shrieks, little Ava Elisabeth was born. My sister Carly and her beau Mick were ecstatic. Chynna's still sussing it all out...

Allow me to take a moment to pay homage to all those mothers out there who have voluntarily offered themselves up to the miraculous throes of agony allowing a newborn creature to enter the world, .....I tell ya'!
Nothing but admiration!

Also, FYI - Clare tells me that there is a woman from Vulcana Circus coming next Thursday to the class to check out the music we play, etc. It would be great if many of us attended this one allowing the sound to be representative of the truly awesome and deafening furor that is G.R.E.S. Unidos da Primavera. Yee hah!

Vodka Night February 2007

Smart Play Indy 2006

Now, these guys are smart. Why walk when playing in a truck will do ? Why wearing anything at all and not worry about uniform ? . . . . . . and they're smiling ! . . . . . One disadvantage though, don't brake too hard and all will come undone . . . . . OUUCH !

Indy 2006