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