Sep 28, 2010

Adeus, Adeus!

Bala Klava Vai Embora

Flor da Gente student, Melbourne Pare and the friendliest Angoleiro out there - Bala Klava - prepares to leave for an international voyage that will see him living abroad for at least a year. To celebrate his time with us, good fortune on his trip and his safe return, come join us for Monday night class on the 4th of October, for it will be the last chance to see him before he departs.

Sep 19, 2010

Berimbau Workshop #1


Let's Play this Sunday! The first of many Berimbau Workshop / Playing classes will kick off to a flurry of Gunga, Medio and Viola. Over the weeks, the practicalities and the main toques of the Berimbau will be made graspable; and we'll be working on emphasising sound, introducing different rhythms and begin different variations.
It's one thing to be able to play the Berimbau well enough to hear... another thing to make the Berimbau sing.

Details:

What: Berimbau Workshop 1 - Playing the Berimbau
When: Sunday the 26th of September, 2:00 - 3:30 pm
Where: African Drumming - 12 Grey St, St Kilda, 3182
Cost: Normal class prices for students, free for first time visitors


Sep 15, 2010

First Lesson Free



Everyone's a beginner at something...

Remember the first time we tried Capoeira? A mixture of uncertainty, awkwardness and excitement can sometimes turn people away.... or if the mix of new feelings is just right - they can make people fall in love with it for life.

To recognise and celebrate being new to something, Flor da Gente is giving a free lesson to anyone welcomed to the class for their first time. Flor da Gente students can tell all their friends, colleagues, casual acquaintances and the people we strike up conversations with on the tram - that to try something like Capoeira Angola for the first time is engaging, fun and best of all - free.

The Berimbau - Part I

Firstly, an Instrument...


Photograph by Bala Klava

As we gear up for our first Berimbau Workshop, where students will prepare to make their own instrument, we kick off our thirst for Berimbau knowledge with an incredibly detailed look at the instruments' continued use and impact within Brazilian Music and Culture. The following link is made available by Prof. Eric A. Galm, a work entitled; 'Beyond the Roda: The Berimbau de Barriga in Brazilian Music and Culture'.


Instead of solely focusing on the history of the Berimbau and its association with Capoeira, the book looks at the applications of the instrument in Modern, Electronic and Brazilian Art Music, with references to Berimbau players that will change the way we think about what's possible on the Berimbau.


A brief glimpse of the sources cited by Prof. Galm in the bibliography is exciting enough in itself before even reading the chapters. The links that follow are works that are methodical and enlightening studies that track the Berimbau's overall life as a Musical instrument.


Article in .pdf format
'Beyond the Roda: The Berimbau de Barriga in Brazilian Music and Culture'


A slightly more accessible, printed form, is available from;
http://www.amazon.com/Berimbau-Soul-Brazilian-Music/dp/1604734051




Thanks go to for Prof. Galm for his consent

Sep 14, 2010

Berimbau Workshops


"The Berimbau cannot be forgotten. Berimbau is the primitive mestre."

- Mestre Pastinha






















To truly practice Capoeira Angola is to know the workings of the Berimbau. In the coming weeks, Berimbau workshops will be given, and the process of making one will be taught from start to finish. From cutting and preparing the wood, right through to varnishing and painting the cabaça, students will be able to intimately know 'the primitive Mestre'.

Anyone interested should contact Treinel Gingadinha on gingadinha@live.com

Sep 13, 2010

Welcome Back




Volta ao Mundo

Returning from his international travels, Flor da Gente senior student, Papagaio, is back in Melbourne. He returns with more knowledge of Capoeira, a head full of travels and adventure stories and a smile that can only come from circumnavigating the globe. Welcome back rapaz.

Sep 8, 2010

Warm up, warm down

Training for the long term

Putting an emphasis on being flexible can help us all play longer - plus when we're all touched with the grace of old-age, the chances are that we'll be still moving with ease... maybe even a little bit of malandragem as well. Here is an article on the ways and reasons for stretching our body parts.

Sep 7, 2010

Back to Class


Classes for all resume in Melbourne

Treinel Gingadinha has returned from training in Flor da Gente, Rio de Janeiro. Accompanying him are new songs, musical equipment, stories of good games, training exercises and although none thought it possible, more positive vibes for the love of Capoeira Angola.

Sep 5, 2010

New class times and info


Thursday 
6:30 - 8:00 pm - All levels
Aboriginal Youth Centre - 184 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

Monday 
6:30 - 8:00 pm - Beginners
8.15 - 9.30 pm - All levels
African Drumming Centre - 252 St Kilda Road, St Kilda


Student Promotion

If you've been getting asked by people about where you disappear to every week, and would like something to show them - try giving them a small flyer with the class info.

Any help we can do to strengthen the Capoeira Angola classes in Melbourne is rewarding for us all - the more people that come to learn with us, the more people we have to sing and play our game with!