Brazilian Party This Thursday night

Hey Sambistas,

Just a quick plug for a Brazilian party going down (funny enough) at an Irish Pub!!??(O'malley's in the Queen Street Mall - underneath the Wintergarden shopping centre). Jesse Witney & Urukum (those at the Mel's Bond party would remember the older rarer brazilian sounds) are performing 2 sets starting at 10:30pm. A good mixture of new & old rare brazilian roots sounds (Marcos Valle, Dejavan, Gilberto Gill, Edu Lobo, Seu Jorge, Vanessa Da Matta etc etc). one such tune being played is Gilberto Gill's Classic 'Expresso 2222':



If that doesn't suit there's a James Brown tribute night going down at the Joynt in West End on Saturday night. Paying respects to the man.... 7pm-Midnight. good times...

enjoy

Pictures from Mel & Erins party

Hi Folk please find below the link to view and download pictures from the party, taken by Brian and Claire. Enjoy!

/BlizWizz/2008MelanieSBig50thBirthdayBash#

Folk, please find the link to all the piccies from mel & Erins party a few weeks ago, there are some really good shots taken by Brian & Clair so enjoy!


Whoops forget link! Try next post

Vieux Farka Toure : Bamako Jam

An impressive and not so " old" Farka Toure from Mali .

Groove Brazil Christmas Party

It is truly a very Brazilian weekend!

Groove Brazil Christmas Party this Saturday night at the Polish Club.
Samba and Gafiera dance class from 7.30pm
Party from 8.30pm-midnight with performances.
$20 pre-sales or $25 on the door.

Complimentary coffee, tea and Brigadeiro (Brazilian candy) more details at groovebrazil.com.au

In a word, awesome!

Samba fest time/place change

The samba drum fest that Mel speaks of will be in ORLEIGH PARK starting at 11AM this Sunday instead.
Will meet by the BBQ in the middle of the park.
Bring an instrument (if you have one) although there should be a whole batucada's worth of stuff to play if you don't have any or transport is an issue. Bring whoever ever else you'd like too!!

Marcel, considering it's your birthday recently, I hope to see you there rippin' it up on the repinique!

Samba drums in the park

Calling all you Samba dudes, we are planning a drum fest in New Farm park this coming Sunday 14th at lunchtime down by the bandstand end. We have drums, lots of sausages, lots of bread rolls and an urge to drum like crazy. Can you meet the challenge or do you want to go with all the other pussys down to the shopping centres to fight for Xmas shopping? Kick off you shoes and chill in the heat!

Mel and Erin

Help Remko make a buck

As you may know, things in the Old Country are considerably more expensive that they are over with you in the colonies. However, sometimes that can be turned into a benefit as well.

The photo was take at a (rather good) music shop in central Amsterdam. Yes, we do display other goods in our windows too. As you can see, it's a lovely chekeré (insert correct spelling here) - although I liked the Brisamba ones better.

What you can't see, is the price on the tag. I will tell you what it is, and do the complicated math of translating it into your local currency.

The price is 150 euro's, and by the time I've finished this post, that makes it well over 300 aussie dollars. So drive down to Toowoomba, load up the ute with gourds, do your fancy bead-works (those of you who've been to New Orleans during mardi gras should have an advantage) and stuff your finished product in Remko's luggage (a fairly large one should be able to fit around a small child) and help him turn a profit on his next trip to Amsterdam!
Don't worry, he won't be able to blow all the profits on magic mushrooms and cheap women because we've outlawed them over here (and they never were cheap, to begin with).

Of course, you could also pack a belated birthday gift for me - but I leave that entirely to your own initiative...

Dinner tonight

Hi all, tonight before rehearsal a number of us will have dinner & beer at the Polish Club, 6pm. Hope you can join us!

Real music

Remko,
I do hope you took the whole of the samba school to Suncorp Stadium to see what the flower of Dutch music had to offer?? Not even the wrath of god could stop him from playing!

Last rehearsal for the year

This Thursday 4 December will be the last rehearsal before the big summer holidays! I hope to see you all there for one last big bang before we all go and eat ourselves silly.

The first class for 2009 will be on Thursday 22 January. I intend to use some of the time in between to think through some creative ideas to keep everyone on their toes in the new year!

If you can't make it this Thursday, have a fantastic Xmas and of course a happy New Year!

Cheers
Remko

Note: it has been pointed out to me that on the same Thursday, some guy called Andre Rieu has decided to have a little gig in Suncorp stadium. For some reason a lot of people will go there (not from the Samba School I hope) so keep in mind traffic might be a bit heavier than usual.

Melanie's Party this weekend

Just to remind everyone that there is a fabo party this weekend (I'm biased cos its my birthday party & Erins as well cos she stays at my place too). Its at my place 38 Rembrandt street, Carina at 12 noon. Its a James Bond themed party so come as a baddy ho ho. its on Saturday. We will have music (live of course), booze and sausages in a typical Aussie mix. Please bring a fold up chair and some booze, as I only have 12 chairs and we have more poeople than that confirmed. Its going to be big and mad!

Brazilian music at Valley Markets today

Just a quick note for those with a free afternoon today.

'Jesse Witney & Urukum' are playing the Valley Mall markets at 1pm today.

todays line-up is guitar, bass, drums and 2 percussionists. (possibly some of the members of Brisamba)

Jesse is a sickenly talented young guitarist in the vein of Gilberto Gill, Dejavan, Edu Lobo, Marcos Valle, Joao Gilberto (the older rhythmical Brazilian style). with the 'urukum' ensemble he'll be playing a couple of his folk/reggae/tropical crossover tunes and then some Brazilian classics (Palco, Ponteio, & a medley of Mama Africa & Mamae Oxum in Olodum style samba reggae) ,and an original Brazilian tune of his (very much in the Edu Lobo/Marcos Valle style).

He'll also be playing at Mel's party next weekend so if you want to check him out in advance, it's free entry to the markets, and the stage is outdoors.

see below for a previous blog that shows the Palco tune by Gilberto Gil.

Jesse's Myspace

www.myspace.com/jessewitney

Class cancelled!

I'm canceling today's class (20 November). With the latest heavy rain we have identified some issues at home that need to be resolved asap.

If anyone has any experience with shaping concrete please let me know. I need to build a little concrete threshold at our laundry door to stop rain from getting in when the backyard floods.

Sorry
Remko

Food safari

Message from Patty:

I see from my TV guide that on SBS tonight at 7.30 there is the first in the new series of "Food Safari" and tonight's theme is BRAZILIAN food and I think there'll be some samba.

Cheers

Patty

Storm in the Gap

Many thanks for the messages some of you have left me regarding our wellbeing following Sunday's storm and the damage in The Gap.

Fortunately, none of us got injured, and we only had some minor water damage. Some of our neighbours had trees through their roofs so we've been very lucky.

Our main problem is that we're still without electricity (it's Tuesday noon now, so almost 48 hours), and also we cannot drink the water. That's not a good combination with little Ruben, so we spent yesterday evening in the kitchen at work here.

We also don't have mobile phone coverage, so sorry if I don't get back to you when you leave me a message. SMSs seem to get through though every now and then.

Update: Water, Electricity and Internet came back on late Tuesday afternoon! All good now.

Thanks for the gig yesterday

Thank you to all of you who played yesterday at the Seville Road State School. It was a gig well done under difficult circumstances. I'm very pleased we got so many of the kids to laugh and have a good time.

This more than likely was the last gig for this year, before our summer break. I'll post exact dates and what it means for the rehearsals soon.

Gig - Seville Road Fiesta

UPDATE: The gig is still on! Thanks to those of you who told me they'll play on the day!

We have been invited to play at the Seville Road State Primary School Fiesta!

When: Saturday 15 November, 5pm
Be there: 4.30pm
Where: in the housing commission part of Holland Park near the Mosque. Corner Oates Ave / Roscoe St.
Dress code: the new Mangueira shirts. If you don't have one yet I'll give you one on the day. White pants.

Let's have some fun and make sure the kids have fun too!

All smiles

I received a picture from Elwin, and we're all smiling!!!

Brazilian music at the 2high festival this Friday night

Just giving everyone a heads up about the 2high festival at The Powerhouse this weekend.

It's an emerging arts festival with music, theatre and the like....

Most of the music from what I can see is indie rock/pop, but there's a couple of interesting musical bits n pieces worth checking, one being Brisbane's Lady of soul Kristen Haynes performing some soul/funk at 6 pm 2 morrow night, and Jesse Whitney an amazingly talented young guitarist in the vein of Gilberto Gill, Dejavan, Edu Lobo, Marcos Valle, Joao Gilberto (the older rhythmical Brazilian style). He'll be playing a couple of his folk/reggae/tropical crossover tunes and then a some Brazilian classics (Palco, Ponteio) ,and an original Brazilian tune of his (very much in the Edu Lobo/Marcos Valle style), accompanied by bass, trumpet and drumkit.

The festival is free, and Jesse Plays at 7:30pm.

see link below:

http://2highfestival.com/home/content/view/27/37/

Palco by Gilberto Gill:

Stephanie's leaving for New Caledonia

Hi Sambistas,

Not sure what I did wrong but Stephanie's leaving for New Caledonia in a couple of weeks. I'm just joking (about doing something wrong I mean...), she is taking on a HR position in Noumea while the kids and I will hold ground in Brisvegas...

Well, sounds like a good reason to party anyway!! SO...

RSVP direct on Thursday at the Polish Club (those who cannot attend the party can make it up to me and Steph by buying ME a Polish beer, how about that??)

Cedric

I'm back and I have photos

In case anyone is interested, my holidays photos are posted on my picasa site.

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

I didn't make it to any samba schools but I did get to hear some pretty amazing traditional Irish music and I was able to visit a bodhran workshop where the bees knees of bodhrans are crafted by hand.

Enjoy!

Message from Maria "blockflojt"

Hi all fabulous Samba people!!!

I'll leave for NZ soon(7th of Nov) where I'll chill out for 4 weeks. The length of my stay once I get back to Oz is uncertain so....Im having a "See you soon" party and you're all very welcome!
See the info, created by my house mate Sarah, below.
When you know, let me know if you are likely to turn up!!
Hugs....or as we say in Swedish "Kramar"
Maria

Maria's "See you soon party"
Just keep thinking about her eventual return...:)

Event Info Host: Maria, Sarah and Claude
Type: Party - See ya soon Party
Network: Global
Time and Place Start Time: Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 8:00pm
End Time: Sunday, November 2, 2008 at 5:00am
Location: Maria's house
Street: 181 Swann Road
City/Town: Taringai, Malaysia

Description: Maria is heading to NZ and after that noone knows what will happen, so we are having a party to say farewell. Come along to say goodbye! BYO alcohol. Friends and partners welcome - everyone deserves a chance to meet her...she is cool:)

. . . . . .Zzzzzzzz !

Some pics from Sunday

Thanks for today!

Thank you all very much for some great performances today! I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did. I was really impressed with how you all reacted on my unpredictable queues on the kiddies stage, it didn't matter if I sang, whistled, played or whatever, you guys were there when you needed to be. I've had some great reactions again so well done!

Many many thanks to Erin and Angus for helping out with the instrument transport nightmare, and of course to the one and only Gail for looking after Ruben so well when we did the parade! I wouldn't be able to do all this without you all guys!

Multicutural Festival 2008

Details for Sunday - multicultural festival

Hi all, I'm trying to finalise the details for this Sunday's gig at the multicultural festival at Roma Street parklands, and will continue to change this post as more details become available. Still have some transport issues to work out, so keep checking please.

The parade together with the african and sri lankan drums which will only have 10 people that attended the rehearsal last Saturday will start at 2pm at the lake lawn. We will need to be there by 1.30pm. The parade will lead to the amphitheatre and will finish at 2.20pm.

Our performance, for which everyone is invited, will be at the Children's stage and will start at 3pm. We will need to be there by 2.30pm. Note this is only 10 minutes after the parade ends! This performance will also have an element of audience (kids) participation - always a lot of fun!

Dress code: creative Pink & Green. I have ordered some shirts from Brazil that I was hoping to be able to use this gig but unfortunately they haven't arrived yet.

This Thursday, we need to sort out some final logistics at the rehearsal, see you there!

PS: Jason Machado will perform at the Lake Stage 5.30-5.55pm with Nicki. If I can find someone to look after Ruben that time, I'll join them too!

New logo - which one?

After 5 years it's time to revamp our logo. These are the two options, please let me know which one you prefer by voting at the right. Any comments welcome as well!

Logo 1:
Logo 2:

Second samba class

First samba class

Rehearsals for drumming procession Multicultural Festival

As discussed yesterday, there will be three rehearsals with the African and Sri lankan drummers, on Saturday 20, 27 September and 4 October. I have no idea yet how this will work and I think tomorrow's rehearsal will be more a 'meet & greet' and brainstorm session.

I'd love to have at least some of the samba school there tomorrow and the other rehearsals.

You'll recall we can only play with 10 people max during this parade, taking into account the balance of instruments. As I don't know what will happen I haven't decided yet who will play what instrument, but hopefully that will become clear after tomorrow.

Rehearsals are 3pm-4pm at the Polish Club. See ya there!

UPDATE: I assume after tomorrow I will be able to select who will play at the procession. It's a difficult situation but unfortunately until I know what's going on I won't be able to do much about this.

mX newpaper

I've just been told by someone at work that there's an article (1/3 of a page) about the Brisbane 150 Launch in yesterday's mX newspaper.

Does anyone have a copy? If so keep it and show me please!

And again ... multicultural festival!

Again, we have been invited to play at this event. I think this is the 3rd or 4th year in a row, which is pretty special as they try to rotate a bit. You must be a fine bunch of sambistas!

So, we'll play on Sunday 12 October in Roma Street Parklands. Time is currently set for 3-3.35pm but the program is still changing.

Prior to this, there is a drumming procession with African, Sri Lankan and Brazilian (that's us) drums. I have been asked to play with only 10 people in this procession to keep the balance right (us noisy sambistas have bigger drum than sri lankans, appearantly...). So unfortunately we won't all be able to play here. However for our main performance I'd like to have as many of you as possible!

Please email me if you can make it!

Candidate for new logo

After 5 years, I'm exploring the possibility of changing our logo. Here's the latest candidate, let me know what you think!

The varying sizes & combination of upper and lowercase letters in ‘Samba’ refers to the rhythm and fun of Samba. A shimmer of fading circles gives the impression of drumsticks beating on a drum.

Don't worry about the rain

For those of you playing today at Queen St mall: don't worry about the rain! The stage and area around it is all under cover. Thankfully Brian isn't playing today else he would have woken me up even earlier today with his concerns... and I had to wake up very early so that I could drop off all instruments at 7am.

See you there, I'm looking forward to it! And don't be late (11:30am), I'm there from 11am. We now play 11:55am!

Details for Thursday gig

For those who will be playing this Thursday, here are the details:

• Dress code: those great screen-printed green shirts that Brian made, with white pants. Pink & Green costume white pants are fine
• Location: stage on Queen St Mall opposite Meyer
  
• Be there: 11.30am please. Given the media and all that we'll have to start at exactly noon, so no room for delay. I'd like to brief everyone before that too.
• I'll drop off the instruments at 7am .... looking forward to that. Angus I'll contact you separately.

I'll post further details here later, in particular regarding what we play. In the meantime, can everyone please listen to tracks 1-3 of our 2005 demo CD? This will be almost exactly what we play.

Message from Miki

I've read the blog and wanted to respond to the question on reading music - answer yes for me.

Also to wish everyone 'break a leg' for the performance in the city centre!

Like the survey on missing Miki - thanks for the thoughts guys!!

Miki

It can be done!

Thanks Patty for this great inspirational video!

Bedankt Marcel & Dionne!!!

Costumes from Notting Hill Carnival

Follow the link to check out costumes from the Notting Hill Carnival. The Bateria's costumes and drums look fantastic!

http://www.news.com.au/travel/gallery/0,26362,5034068-5007153,00.html

Any costume updates, Remko? You've been very quiet on the subject since that sly comment regarding 'the last time we'll be wearing creative pink and green' which you slipped into an email a few gigs back.

Next rehearsal

Our rehearsal this week on 28 August is going to be special:

• We'll have our one-and-only rehearsal with the tap dancers in preparation for our Queen Street Mall gig on 4 September
• Ruben will join the Samba School, and to celebrate we'll have beschuit met muisjes!

I look forward to seeing you then!

Exciting high profile gig

As you may know, next year Brisbane exists 150 years as a city. Over the year, there will be a large number of celebrations around the city.

I'm very proud to announce that the Brisbane Samba School has been invited to official kick off the celebrations on Thursday 4 September at noon. This will be in front of a VIP crowd on the main stage in Queen Street Mall, with TV coverage from Channel Nine and radio coverage from Nova.

We will work together with tap dancers during a 6-10 minute performance in front of the Lord Mayor, Premier, etc.

I realise that this is a gig during the day, however given it's so high profile I'd really appreciate it if people can consider attending this one! More details later...

Reading music...

This might be a long shot...

I wonder how many people in the Samba School actually can read music, and how many are willing to learn to read. It would make it a lot easier:

• for people to remember breaks, paradinhas, etc
  
• to practice at home
• for me to explain what I mean in the class, rather than just saying "that one a bit earlier" etc.

I know there are other methods of writing down music, but to be honest these are not nearly as effective and miss some crucial concepts. And I believe learning to read the bits of music required for samba music could be covered in one or two classes only.

So I've put on another poll to the right - let me know what you think.

Ahhhhhh...

Now THAT was a gig!!! Very well done everyone, I think we played close to 45 minutes (that is, I did, you guys of course didn't play during the Thai bell solo and the verbal cuica)...

This is what it is all about, having a ball and watching the audience have a great time too! I'm proud of Primavera!!!

Thanks everyone for making this possible!

Details for Saturday

Dress code: creative Pink & Green - try to look good rather than just a green shirt.

We'll play on the main stage (I think it's called the Parvati stage), at 4pm. Please be there before 3.30pm, or even earlier to get some food/drinks vouchers. The first one to be there (which might be me as Nicki will be in hospital until Sunday) will need to ask the girl in charge of the stage (she'll have a headset) for the vouchers.

Note: On the day, the only entrance to the festival will be via Glasshouse Road (St. Lucia).

Beschuit met muisjes

At tomorrow's rehearsal, I'll shout "beschuit met muisjes" to celebrate Ruben's arrival! This is an ancient dutch tradition that I'll honour during a Brazilian Samba class, in Australia. A world first, I'm sure!

Hope to see you there!

Sorry couldn't resist...

Introducing....

Ruben Wallach-Kancachian
4 August 2008, 5.34pm
Weight: 4090 gram
Length: 55cm
Hair: more than his dad
Mood: happy

Nicki has done a fantastic job and is very well, they'll probably stay in hospital until Saturday.

Gifts for Niki and bub

We're organizing a gift basket for Niki and baby (insert name here) so if you would like to contribute whether it be financially or with a gift you would like to include, then please let Gail or me know via comments, email or send us a message. We would like to get this off the ground as soon as possible because baby is due any day now!

Thanks...

Claire

Tan tan video clips

Check this site out for lots of Tan tan video clips:

Another Denis solo

A polite request.....

..... if you are paying cash for your class tomorrow night, I wonder if you could try and pay with a note smaller than a $50? Sometimes there's very little change available; so it would be really helpful if people could try and think ahead a bit. Many many thanks.

Patty

Thanks for today!

Thanks everyone who played today. It's an honour to be asked to open a new suburb! Special congratulations to Brendan, who had his first gig with us today.

Also, for some reason I really enjoyed the workshop, good people there, and also thanks for all your help during this. Lots of fun for everyone.

Denis, great solo!

The next gig will be on 9 August, in St Lucia, late afternoon. Free food from all over the world!

Details for Sunday's gig

Thanks to all of you who signed up for Sunday!

Here are the details:

• Dress code: creative pink & green
• Location: Woodlands park, on Woodlands Boulevard. This is probably not yet in your Refidex, however it is off Gardiner Road, Waterford (Refidex map 263 C20). Take the Beenleigh exit.
• Be there at 1pm at the latest. Keep in mind it might take a bit of time to find!
• We perform 1.30pm and 2pm, then we'll have a workshop.
  

As always, please be on time, less stressful for everyone!

Lost and Found

Found: One pink A4 display book containing tamborim patterns.

Did you lose it?

Samba instruments for sale!

My friend Carlos in Melbourne has some new samba instruments for sale (pictures and video).

Prices are:
12-Lug Repinique: $250
10-Lug Repinique: $230
8-Lug Repinique: $210
Tan Tan: $340
Pandeiro: Calf Skin 12": $180
Wooden Atabaque Conico (Timba): $180
Artcelsior Tamborim: $60
Surdo Mallet: $20

Plus postage and handling. Delivery within Australia only.
These are top of the range Contemporanea gear which is not easily found in OZ.

He also has another two pandeiros (one of them with a Brazilian flag head) but I haven't got pics yet.

Let me know if you're interested in anything!

The next few gigs

Well, someone said we don't have enough gigs (and I have to agree for the first half of 2008!). So, the next few gigs will be:

• Sunday 27 July, somewhere between 1pm-3pm, at Woodlands (where is that? Close to Beenleigh)
• Saturday 9 August, around 4pm, UQ, St Lucia
• Thursday 4 September around 1pm, Queen Street Mall, cooperation with a tap dancing group, as part of celebrations for 150 years of Brisbane!

Enough to keep everyone happy (for now)?

More SunCorp pictures

From Elwin!

Palmeiras Parade last Friday

I really really hope this link works - have made an album of pics from last Friday's parade in the city.

A short break?

Everyone thanks again for such a great effort over the last week. Rehearsal on Thursday, parade on Friday, 3 on-field performances on Saturday and a workshop thrown in as well!

I have received a suggestion to have a break this Thursday the 17th to recover a bit. What do you think? Please vote on the poll on the right.

I'll make the call on Wednesday and will post here to confirm the outcome.

PS: I just received confirmation for a performance on Sunday afternoon 27 July... stay tuned!

Angus reunited with his beloved & restored surdo skin

Excellent stuff!!!

Well done today everyone!

Everything went well! I wasn't as stressed because everyone was on time, and everything really worked out as planned. All performances sounded really tight and we definitely have improved compared to last year. I loved working with the dancers too! I'll get a copy of the official video.

You have now made it very hard for me: I am sure we're going to be invited again next year for this event (how can they not), however I do want to try to make next year even more spectacular. This won't be easy - but we'll get there!

Thanks everyone for being a great team, I'm really proud of all of you.

Congratulations as well to Mike, Elwin, Lyn, Alice and Andy for your very first performance - what a way to join the samba school!

And, I've got something to look forward to as well: we have been invited to play in September as part of the celebrations for 150 years Brisbane, and this time we'll team up with.... you won't believe it.... a group of tapdancers!

See you all on Thursday!
Remko

Roar !

FINAL details for today

Remember: dress all in white, no heels.

Note: there is NO parking - use public transport or get someone to drop you off close by.

• 4.15 we meet outside the stadium, same boom gate as last year (Castlemaine Street corner Cordova Street). I will have wrist bands and tickets
  
• 4.30 we enter the stadium. If you're not there by 4.30 you can't enter anymore, so please please please....
• 5.02 first performance on field (without dancers)
• 5.20 - 6.15 workshops on concourses
• 6.40 performance on field with dancers (Primavera samba - green & orange shirts)
  
• 7.58 performance on field with dancers (samba reggae)

After the game, there's a party at Casablanca. Details to be confirmed during the evening...


See you there, let's have some fun!!!

Instruments today

Thanks everyone for taking instruments home with you after rehearsal yesterday, that will help a lot.

At the end of the parade today, can you please leave your instrument with me (unless you use your own instrument)? I am doing a corporate workshop tonight so will need the instruments.

I promise to bring them to SunCorp tomorrow ;-)

PS: great rehearsal yesterday!!!

Updated schedule for Friday

Aaarrgggghhh it keeps changing!

Here are the FINAL details for Friday

• Dress code: creative Pink & Green
• Location: Reddacliffe place (in between Casino and new Brisbane City Council at the end of Queen Street)
• Be there: No later than 12:40pm
  
• 1st performance starts 1.05pm - 1.15pm
  
• 2nd performance starts: 1.22pm - 1.25
  
• Parade starts: 1.30pm (ends 2.00pm at Parliament house).

Note the parade will no longer go to Southbank, just to Parliament house following George Street.

Hot tip for white pants

Meyer in the city has reduced Industrie white pants from $80 down to $50, but they now sell them for $15. Only a few pairs left!

Thanks Mike & Elwin for the tip!

Saturday runsheet

Well things have changed quite a bit. Forget about the previous runsheet. Still no final confirmation, but at this stage it's looking like this:

• 4.30pm Samba School reports at gate (location to be confirmed). We ALL need to be there at that time, please please please don't be late!
• 5.02pm Our first performance on field (without dancers)
• 5.20pm - 6.15pm Workshops on concourses
  
• 6.40pm Performance on field with dancers (Primavera samba - green & orange shirts)
• 7.58pm Performance on field with dancers (samba reggae)

I'll keep changing this post with more details as they become available. Please everyone try to check this page on Saturday morning for any late changes!

Tomorrow's rehearsal

Hi everyone,

Well tomorrow is going be the biggest rehearsal ever: we'll have 26 percussionists and all 50 dancers in the Polish Club. So, to make sure this works, I have to ask you for your cooperation:

• Attendance tomorrow is pretty much mandatory if you're playing on Saturday. If you're not playing on Saturday, maybe best to skip this rehearsal.
  
• We'll start 7pm sharp. Please be there before then.
• We won't have many breaks, but when we do, can I ask everyone to stop playing any instruments please - our ears will need a break too and Angelo and I will need to discuss things as well.
• We'll practice on stage from 7.30 - 9.30 to give the dancers some space.
  
• Dale - I propose you give your surdo to Angus at the end of the night, he will transport half of the surdos on Friday and Saturday.
• Rehearsal will be free again.
  

Rehearsal schedule:

• 7:00-7.30: Bateria (1st performance): Paradinhas, Samba, funk, maculele
• 7.30-8.30: "Two teams" (2nd performance): Primavera samba
• 8.30-9.30: Samba Reggae (3rd performance)
  

Details for this Friday

This info has been superseded... see above!

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