Show Brazil in The SCHOOLS
Brazil, the largest country in South America, is domicile to one of the most lively African-based cultural communities in the Americas. Centered in the state of Bahia, Afro-Brazilian traditions have transformed Brazilian music and dance in many ways. Show Brazil!, led by well-known recording artist Eduardo Mendonça, presents an exciting and dynamic introduction to Brazil through its music. Through the wide range of performance styles, students will appreciate Brazil as a complex and multicultural society with a rich and complex history. Eduardo Mendonça, a former high school principal in Brazil, also offers workshops and residencies. Workshops are available for choirs, general music classes, and social studies projects. Residencies for the entire school can include costumes. At the heart of the unique and dynamic partnering work inherent in our repertory and performances are an underlying message of teamwork, trust, and collaboration. These are just a few of the vitally important values that we incorporate as lessons for students from kindergarten through high school (K-12) in our highly successful and inspiring Arts in Education after-school, residency, and assembly programs. We continue our educational outreach in our university and collegiate level residencies, workshops, panel discussions, and performances, expanding our curriculum to include more advanced explorations in partnering technique, as well as investigations of complex social issues through physical movement, and much more.
Programs Include
Show Brazil! opens a typical performance with the percussion rhythms of Ijexá, Afro-Brazilian rhythms brought to Brazil by African slaves in the 16th Century. The music then moves into Baião, combining lively rhythms and heartfelt lyrics from the people of the Sertão (a desert region of Northeastern Brazil). Next comes Maculelê, a tradition originating from an ancient Afro-Brazilian war dance. The rhythms and songs of Maculelê reflect the invincible spirit and imagination of slaves working the sugar- cane fields in Brazil. Following Maculelê is Capoeira music. This form of music comes from a Brazilian martial art developed by the 17th Century that escaped African slaves. Capoeira movements are known for their acrobatic leaps and fierce playfulness. Succeeding Capoeira are the electrifying rhythms of Samba and Galope. The music of Samba-Reggae (the heart and soul of Afro-Brazilian Popular Music) concludes our show. Originating in Salvador, Samba-Reggae has become popular the world over. Featured musical instruments include the Berimbau (a tall, bowed instrument with a gourd), and a full array of drums and other percussion instruments (Surdo, Repinique, Cuíca, Triângulo, Pandeiro, Tamborim, and Agogô). The program is of 45 minutes and can be modified in length or content for specific audiences. Language Arts - Hearing and reproducing sung and spoken PortugueseSocial Studies - Understanding cultural change Arts - Understanding the impact of slavery in the Americas inking dance, song, and story.
