Tuesday, 8 July 2008

The Afro-Latin Lounge

Hello, everybody, another week and another round of cultural news from the African and Latin Diasporas. Feel free to peruse through the info below.

Sakoba's Artistic Director, Bode Lawal, returns with his intensive masterclasson his unique post traditional technique and shares in his recent research forhis current work Okan'Nijo (One).
When: Sunday, 27th July 2008 @ 3:30 -5:30
Where: Siobhan Davies Studio
85 St George's Road, London. SE1 6ER
Price: £14/£12 students concs
For information and booking call Joao Ferreira on 07738817171 or e-mail
joao.ferreira@sakobadancetheatre.com

SAKOBA DANCE THEATRE recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. Mr Lawal hasspent his professional life pushing back the creative boundaries; setting newstandards and always seeking perfection.BLDT (Bode Lawal Dance Technique) is meant to emphasise the higher aspect ofAfrican Dance and change the way its practitioners view their profession. Itis a soul-searching experience for an artist to go on a personal "spiritual"journey that unlocks a vault of discovery."Lawal's choreography is habitually frenetic and fiendishly driven..." (DanceEurope, January 2008)
Keep dancin..
Carolyn Lilly
07979464047


Buteco do Bezerra @ Favela ChicUlisses Bezerra and band presents to all samba lovers a treat of the best tunesof his father, the samba legend, Bezerra da Silva.Precious pagode roda, live band, plus special guests, on sundays afternoons,including a lot of grooves and traditional brazilian food to give yoursummer a real brazilian taste. Bezerra da Silva was the unofficial spokesman for the slums of Rio de Janeiro . For 30years his controversial brand of samba provided the soundtrack for thecity's favelasand enraged the country's politicians, often thevictims of his sharp tongue. His music, which made him a household nameacross Brazil , portrayed the day-to-day life of Rio 's working classes.He is a reference for every hip hop artist in Brazil for his uniquestyle through samba.This is also a opportunity to watch eclusivefootage of Bezerra's documentary " Onde a coruja dorme".Now Favela Chic and Ulisses Bezerra combine to give you a one of kind experience in London this summer. Dont miss out, for only 3 consecutive sundays.From july 13th until 27th£3 entry From 2pm until late ( early start)more info: sambacaramba@ yahoo.co. ukFavela Chic91-93 Great Eastern stLondon EC2A 3HZ
Umbela Arts presents


Afro Brazilian Encontro - DRUM and DANCE
Getting ready for Notting Hill Carnival 2008


“UMBELA ARTS”
Founded by Sam Alexander and Mariana Pinho since 2003 with the aim to develop brazilian culture through events, workshops, meetings, courses of music and dance in UK , based in London .
Through the following courses you will have the chance to experience the amazing rhythms from Brazil such as Maracatu, coco, ciranda, samba reggae, ijexa and samba.

Sam Alexander – Musical Director: Percussionist, educator and band leader, worked with Maracatu Nacao Pernambuco, Corpo de Dancã Olodum, Azymuth and founder of Maracatu Estrela do Norte and Eri Okan.

Mariana Pinho – Artistic Director: Brazilian dance teacher, choreographer and costume designer, trained by Mabel ( Bale Popular do Recife), Vania Reis ( Fundacao – Salvador) , Joaquim Lino ( Olodum) has worked and performed with GRES Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel, GRES Porto da Pedra, Maracatudo Camaleao, Nacao Pernambuco, Yle de Egba, Monobloco, BBC Strictly African Dance, Young Vic Theatre along educational programs.

This year, for Notting Hill carnival 2008, Umbela Arts has the honour to bring this chance of having in London two great masters of Afro Brazilian Dance. Umbela Arts have invited Pure Brazil Dance Theatre directed by Jackson Pinto to collaborate on a new dance piece to be presented at the Notting Hill Carnival.

From Bahia Brazil
Jackson Pinto: Jackson is an experienced dance teacher from Salvador , Bahia in Brazil and is best known for his performance in “The Lion King” at the Lyceum Theatre. He graduated with honours in Afro-Brazilian Contemporary Dance from the Central University of Salvador, has performed in Bale Folclorico of Bahia, Atelie de Coreografos Brazilian at Teatro Castro Alves and was a dance master for Fundac and IAO. He is also Artistic Director and Choreographer for the Brazilian dance company, PBDT Pure Brazil Dance Theatre.

Carlos Ujhama: professional dancer with 15 years of experience , spent the last 10 years researching the African Diaspora in the Americas , working with cultural organizations and contemporary dance groups in Fortaleza , Recife , Olinda , São Luis and São Paulo . His most recent project with North American choreographer and dance Professor Corey Ann Cottrell, in “Pure Mutt – a choreographic study of urban dance: capoeira, samba-reggae and hip hop. Having this performance resulted in a documentary dance dvd, and was part of Corey’s thesis at the Federal University of Bahia.

Carlos Ujhama has been invited by Jackson Pinto to collaborate with the Pure Brazil Dance Theatre Company to create a new work combining the most recent form of popular dance to appear in Bahia - Samba Reggae.





Synergy Centre The Space Centre
220 Farmers road Falkirk St
Tube- Oval Tube Old Street
SE5 0TW N1 6HQ

Mondays Thursdays

From July 14th - aug 18th From July 17th – Aug20th
19:00 – 20:30 19:00 – 20:30
Jackson Pinto Dance Course 20:30 –22:00
Mariana Pinho Course
20:30 – 22:00
Sam Alexander ERI OKAN Drumming Course

Wednesdays
From july 16th – aug 20th
Carlos Ujhama Dance Course

Fees: each course £ 50 – 2 courses £90 – 3 courses £130
Info: umbelabrasil@hotmail.co.uk
+44 (0) 7852 933 844

UMBELA BRASIL - Carnaval Nordestino @Guanabaraaug 22nd GuanabaraDrury Lane corner with Parker st
This year Umbela Arts brings the drums and dance of Brazilian Street Carnival to London’s Notting Hill Carnival and Guanabara.
Representing Carnival in Olinda and Recife, Maracatu Estrela do Norte start with their immense drum sound. Following this, Banda-Afro Eri Okan Samba Reggae group will bring carnival grooves from Salvador, Bahia and cultural vibes with UK Jamaican and African fusions.
With rare and unique dance performances from Carlos Ujhama’sPure Mutt Dance project, and Jackson Pinto’s Pure Brazil Dance Theatre alongside the stunning dancers from UmbelaBrasil Dance Group it will certainly be a carnival to remember!
Monobloco Drum and ance workshops @ Womad festival
Check the link in case you will party at this year's Womad!Que beleza!http://www.womad.org/festivals/charlton-park/lineup/timetable/2008-07-26/FESTA! @ Young Vic Theatreaugust 16th
Just two performances - limited availabilityBrazil/UK production, closing Waterloo streets for this one day only event. In collaboration with People’s Palace Projects on two productions: Festa! community show (16 August) brings the Brazilian carnival to SE1; and Christmas production Amazônia (27 November-24 January) stars Brazilian comic actor Pedro Cardoso in the tale of an enchanted tree and its effect on a group of dancers. Stage, film and television performer Cardoso is the star of Brazil’s most popular sitcom A Grande Família.FESTA! Set design signed by Gringo Cardia, Cyda Morenyx as Director,Mariana Pinho - ChoreographerSam Alexander Musical Director
Every year, Brazilians come together to celebrate traditional stories of love and desire in exuberant festas of theatre, dance and music.
Starting on The Cut, a carnival of song and dance flows into the Young Vic where the myths, heroes and legends of Brazil come to life.
Thrilling for all the family. Put the Young Vic's Festa! at the top of your summer calendar.
Led by Brazilian artists from London and by Spetaculu of Rio de Janeiro, with over 100 community members from Lambeth and Southwark.
more info
http://www.youngvic.org/whats-on?action=details&id=2233
AXE!
Mariana Pinho
www.myspace.com/sambacaramba

Don't miss your chance to work with and be inspired by Jonzi Dand other Hip Hop artists developing new work to be performed at THE SURGERY.Dates: Wed 9 Thu 10 Fri 11 Mon 14 Tue 15 Wed 16 Thu 17 JulyTime: 7 - 9.30pmVenue: Sadler's Wells Theatre, Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R Click here for more details

YORCONDUMA (with Galia Delgado Rosmarin as the director) will perform at Small Dances event on 12th July at Stratford Theatre.
We have been approved as the group to open up the stage show on the night. This is a professional show case of a series of choreographies by emerging dance companies, who wish to show their work to the public and dance critiques. We will be showing our choreography “Esto si sabe a Cuba ” translated “This is Cuba
It will be taking place on 12th July at Stratford Theatre starting at 8PM.

After months of planning, Rumberos de Cuba have finally arrived for their first ever UK tour.
They arrived yesterday and are now at Drumcamp where they will be teaching workshops and performing today. They will be performing at the Exeter Respect festival at Exeter Phoenix on Saturday, and at the Small Nations Festival on Sunday.
On Tuesday 15th July they will be teaching workshops in percussion, dance and singing at Blatchington Mill School, Hove. There are still some spaces available - click here for full details and email us to reserve your place.
They will be performing at the
Komedia in Brighton on Wednesday 16th at 9pm. Tickets are £10 - call 01273 647100 to book.
And finally, don't miss the four-day Cuban rumba festival in London from Thursday 17th to Sunday 20th July.
Join us at Vibe Live above the Vibe Bar, Brick Lane, E1 on Thursday 17th July for the London premiere of the Rumberos de Cuba's new show. Entry £7 on the door. Doors open 7pm, performance at 9pm.Don't miss this show which will include Afro-Cuban music, songs and dances from the Yoruba, Abakua, Arara and Congo traditions, plus of course plenty of rumba from some of Cuba's top rumberos.

Then join the Rumberos de Cuba for our two-day rumba summer course on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th July. Some places are still available on these not-to-be-missed rumba percussion, song and dance workshops which will be held at Grasmere Primary School, Stoke Newington, London N16. Click here for full details and booking form.
And finally finish your weekend at
El Rumbon Cubano at Tito's Latin Club, 4-6 London Bridge Street, London SE1 on Sunday 20th July. There will be additional dance workshops with Rumberos de Cuba (rumba plus Orisha dances), an informal performance plus the chance to party with the band from 3pm until midnight. Entry £8 before 5.30pm, £10 after.

We look forward to seeing you there,
Olwen and CarlosCubacheche

And this is all for this week.

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