Come and take part. Maracatu Estrela do Norte are offering Maracatu percussion workshops every week at our new base just one minute from Aldgate East underground. Location info: Ice Father Nation
Drums are provided, and all levels welcome, from absolute beginners to experienced players. Any serious djembe, timba or conga players are encouraged to bring their instrument.
Cost: For those wishing to pursue this on a regular basis Eri Okan (in association with Umbela Arts) offer a £20 / month rate, which includes entry to Samba Reggae percussion lessons every Monday at the same venue, and also monthly Carnival rehearsal sessions at the Rich Mix Cultural Foundation.
For those wanting to just pop in there is a charge of £6.
Extras:
Immediately following the class, the Maracatu Estrela do Norte band will be rehearsing. Feel free to hang around and soak up the vibe. Once you’ve got the hang of it it is quite possible that you can be invited to take part and fill in when a band member does not turn up!
Maracatu Estrela do Norte are a London-based group playing music from the Pernambuco region of northeast Brazil. We play Maracatu de Baque Virado – a vibrant style of music that dates back hundreds of years and is rooted in Afro-Brazilian culture.
Maracatu is powered by the alfaia (bass drum) whose powerful and syncopated rhythms punctuate the beat of the caixa (snare drum), gongue (cowbell), and abé (shaker). It’s music that goes straight to the soul!
As well as learning songs and drumming rhythms, you’ll discover the rich cultural mix of African, indigenous and European influences that is at the heart of Maracatu.
Everyone is welcome to join our singing, dancing and drumming workshops, no matter what experience you have (or don’t have!)
Teacher:
Sam Alexander is a pioneer in the UK samba world. In the late 80′s he joined the London School of Samba in their first year and co-founded several early UK samba groups, including Bristol School of Samba and Samba Galez. He lived in North-East Brazil in the early 90′s where he performed and recorded with Maracatu Naçao Pernambuco and Oludum, and has since worked as a musician and educator and is a driving force in North-Eastern Brazilian roots music and dance in the UK and Europe.
Contact event organisers on the following email address:
umbela.arts@gmail.com
Tags: Drumming lessons, maracatu, maracatu estrela do norte, workshops
