Saturday 29 May 2010
Last Day
One to many chop and green booze was had last nite me thinks.
This scribe here sits typing with a fuzz free head though, as he did not drink last nite, but enjoyed watching the nites events unfold before his very eyes.
Details need not be discussed on here, but lets say it was a good nite
The final show went down real well, was a weird crowd at the start, but BTC/AR won them over in the end, another standing ovation which is always nice.
Hugs, handshakes, jokes, compliments, stories, laughs, clothes, pics, emails, were exchanged, it was a great way to spend the nite. Drinking with our new found brazilian family.
One Love.
This project has enlightened, inspired, taught us, in far too many ways to explain or try to describe here.
But the one important thing I believe is that culture has the power to empower people, we share and learn and give and take, but the arts and culture is, and has to be the way we can move forward and make things better for the future.
Flight to London Town leaves at 2pm today, so back to the UK revitalised, humbled, positive, aware and happy.
AR will be in London so if you get a chance go see them, keep an eye on here for photos, videos etc.
peace.
THANKS to Rachel, Paul (Peoples Palace) Antidoto, Afro Reggae, Eva, Beto, everyone who made this project possible, all the artists, venues, people, kids, cooks, drivers, and anyone else we forgot to mention... Thanks again!!!
Thanks to, AntiDoto NGI, Gateshead Council, Arts Council, Peoples Palace and Find Your Talent for supporting and Funding this project :)
This scribe here sits typing with a fuzz free head though, as he did not drink last nite, but enjoyed watching the nites events unfold before his very eyes.
Details need not be discussed on here, but lets say it was a good nite
The final show went down real well, was a weird crowd at the start, but BTC/AR won them over in the end, another standing ovation which is always nice.
Hugs, handshakes, jokes, compliments, stories, laughs, clothes, pics, emails, were exchanged, it was a great way to spend the nite. Drinking with our new found brazilian family.
One Love.
This project has enlightened, inspired, taught us, in far too many ways to explain or try to describe here.
But the one important thing I believe is that culture has the power to empower people, we share and learn and give and take, but the arts and culture is, and has to be the way we can move forward and make things better for the future.
Flight to London Town leaves at 2pm today, so back to the UK revitalised, humbled, positive, aware and happy.
AR will be in London so if you get a chance go see them, keep an eye on here for photos, videos etc.
peace.
THANKS to Rachel, Paul (Peoples Palace) Antidoto, Afro Reggae, Eva, Beto, everyone who made this project possible, all the artists, venues, people, kids, cooks, drivers, and anyone else we forgot to mention... Thanks again!!!
Thanks to, AntiDoto NGI, Gateshead Council, Arts Council, Peoples Palace and Find Your Talent for supporting and Funding this project :)
Rock, Shockin, Hip Hopping, Skate Boppin, Goat Helmets for everyone!?!?
A great day.
We had the morning off and went shopping. P found out about this place called the Galeria de Rock in SP downtown.
This place was off the chain, it was 450 shops in a large mall of EVERYTHING someone into subcultures and their associated fashions/accessories would need.
Goes like this, bottom floor, ALL hip hop wear, dvds, records, hair dressers, custom clothes, trainers etc.
Second floor, Skate wear, trainers, tattooists, band merchandise
Third floor: ROCKtastic, death metal, black metal, speed metal, thrash, hair metal, uk metal, punk, oi, emo, etc etc.
Fourth Floor, as above with smatterings of skate shops, sex shops, fake teeshirts and trainers (some hilarious stuff in here)
Like these, who in their right mind would buy, let alone pretend that someone would have designed these monstrosities
Fifth Floor, various printing, screen prints, designs and embroiodery units, which I am sure have a 'business agreement' with some of the shops downstairs to knock up fake band teeshirts in bulk and sell them on in their shops. Each to their own, every one always needs the latest rip off Burzum, Gargoroth, Slaughtered Pig Ears, or what ever teeshirt.
We loved this place, but prices were a bit steep for kicks,new eras etc eg: Black fitted £60...WISE UP. We settled on the deep foam hats, which we bought in abundance, cool bboys now eh.
Imagine camden market, carnaby street, corn exchange in Leeds, if it were in one building and run by Method Man, Tony Hawk, and Bruce Dickenson (Iron Maiden)and you get the dealio.
'If sir desires this outfit, Galeria can provide very easy'
Besides the bootlegged dvds, knock off labels and other random weird stuff ( a black metal spiked gauntlet and matching pig head ear rings )this place rocked literally, the best bboy beats blasted from one shop (DJ Timber would have loved it), on another side of the place Emo's creeped about, lurking for something, and up stairs blast beats and the throat shredding vocals of some underground brazillian deathcore band ripped your face off.
We came, we saw, we purchased, we consumed and continued to be victims haha.
However Galeria de Rock, serves as a reminder as how all these subcultures albeit different, can co-exist and have cross overs but still continue to give kids, adults and older members of the world something to live for....... mongolian helemt and spiked gloves, I mean Music.
Viva le Music!!!!!
We had the morning off and went shopping. P found out about this place called the Galeria de Rock in SP downtown.
This place was off the chain, it was 450 shops in a large mall of EVERYTHING someone into subcultures and their associated fashions/accessories would need.
Goes like this, bottom floor, ALL hip hop wear, dvds, records, hair dressers, custom clothes, trainers etc.
Second floor, Skate wear, trainers, tattooists, band merchandise
Third floor: ROCKtastic, death metal, black metal, speed metal, thrash, hair metal, uk metal, punk, oi, emo, etc etc.
Fourth Floor, as above with smatterings of skate shops, sex shops, fake teeshirts and trainers (some hilarious stuff in here)
Like these, who in their right mind would buy, let alone pretend that someone would have designed these monstrosities
Fifth Floor, various printing, screen prints, designs and embroiodery units, which I am sure have a 'business agreement' with some of the shops downstairs to knock up fake band teeshirts in bulk and sell them on in their shops. Each to their own, every one always needs the latest rip off Burzum, Gargoroth, Slaughtered Pig Ears, or what ever teeshirt.
We loved this place, but prices were a bit steep for kicks,new eras etc eg: Black fitted £60...WISE UP. We settled on the deep foam hats, which we bought in abundance, cool bboys now eh.
Imagine camden market, carnaby street, corn exchange in Leeds, if it were in one building and run by Method Man, Tony Hawk, and Bruce Dickenson (Iron Maiden)and you get the dealio.
'If sir desires this outfit, Galeria can provide very easy'
Besides the bootlegged dvds, knock off labels and other random weird stuff ( a black metal spiked gauntlet and matching pig head ear rings )this place rocked literally, the best bboy beats blasted from one shop (DJ Timber would have loved it), on another side of the place Emo's creeped about, lurking for something, and up stairs blast beats and the throat shredding vocals of some underground brazillian deathcore band ripped your face off.
We came, we saw, we purchased, we consumed and continued to be victims haha.
However Galeria de Rock, serves as a reminder as how all these subcultures albeit different, can co-exist and have cross overs but still continue to give kids, adults and older members of the world something to live for....... mongolian helemt and spiked gloves, I mean Music.
Viva le Music!!!!!
Friday 28 May 2010
Showtime at the Sao Paulo
Rehearsals during the day for our first performance at the ANTIDOTO Festival.
http://www.itaucultural.org.br/antidoto2010/index.cfm?lk=mostra_1
In a nutshell, this festival featured artists from all over the world, who have been affected by conflict in their lives.
The show went down a storm and we even got a standing ovation.
Was sick!!
Celebrations were had at a bar in city centre, more caiprihinas and cervaje were drunk, and heads were rough but happy this morning.
http://www.itaucultural.org.br/antidoto2010/index.cfm?lk=mostra_1
In a nutshell, this festival featured artists from all over the world, who have been affected by conflict in their lives.
The show went down a storm and we even got a standing ovation.
Was sick!!
Celebrations were had at a bar in city centre, more caiprihinas and cervaje were drunk, and heads were rough but happy this morning.
Concrete Jungle and the House of the Kids
We flew to Sao Paulo, flying for only one hour to this huge city.
Nice change of scenary, but we missed the beach already.
Sao Paulo is a metropolis, a huge never ending beast of concrete jungle.
Apparently the population is between 19-20 Million, but they actually dont know!!!
The city is like a mix of LA, NYC and Mexico, its big, brash and covered, I mean covered in graffiti. From the USA influenced styles, to euro, to character and of course the brazillian Pixador.
We did our first workshop in a place called CASA DEZEZHINO. This place is unlike anything we have ever been in, a really pretty 'school/youth centre' in the favelas, which basically serves as an alternative education venue for kids in the area.
Started by an amazing and inspiring woman callled Auntie Dag, 17 years ago, after a 10 yr old girl told her she was thinking about becoming a prostitute.
It began in her house, with 12 kids, now it has 1000 pupils and the house has been renovated and added to over the years to become this cavern of spaces and rooms to do everything from dance, art, film, sports, maths, cooking, media etc.
They are saviours of lives in the casa and the smiles and talents of the kids prove it.
Originally it was a safe house for kids, who were distitute, in trouble with drug dealers, or abused by families or others.
We were shown a film which explained some of the problems these people face, it dealt with rape, torture, murder, abuse, drugs, no food, homelessness etc, it was shocking and very sad, but this place is a shining light amongst the darkness that creeps through the veins of this city.
This is why true care and love really matter in this world, places like this are needed everywhere and we should look to this woman and this centre for inspiration on how we can safeguard the future for those who are less fortunate than ourselves.
Workshops went down a storm and the kids loved it, but I dont think as much as we did.
Another high but in the backs of our mind sadness.
Nice change of scenary, but we missed the beach already.
Sao Paulo is a metropolis, a huge never ending beast of concrete jungle.
Apparently the population is between 19-20 Million, but they actually dont know!!!
The city is like a mix of LA, NYC and Mexico, its big, brash and covered, I mean covered in graffiti. From the USA influenced styles, to euro, to character and of course the brazillian Pixador.
We did our first workshop in a place called CASA DEZEZHINO. This place is unlike anything we have ever been in, a really pretty 'school/youth centre' in the favelas, which basically serves as an alternative education venue for kids in the area.
Started by an amazing and inspiring woman callled Auntie Dag, 17 years ago, after a 10 yr old girl told her she was thinking about becoming a prostitute.
It began in her house, with 12 kids, now it has 1000 pupils and the house has been renovated and added to over the years to become this cavern of spaces and rooms to do everything from dance, art, film, sports, maths, cooking, media etc.
They are saviours of lives in the casa and the smiles and talents of the kids prove it.
Originally it was a safe house for kids, who were distitute, in trouble with drug dealers, or abused by families or others.
We were shown a film which explained some of the problems these people face, it dealt with rape, torture, murder, abuse, drugs, no food, homelessness etc, it was shocking and very sad, but this place is a shining light amongst the darkness that creeps through the veins of this city.
This is why true care and love really matter in this world, places like this are needed everywhere and we should look to this woman and this centre for inspiration on how we can safeguard the future for those who are less fortunate than ourselves.
Workshops went down a storm and the kids loved it, but I dont think as much as we did.
Another high but in the backs of our mind sadness.
Tuesday 25 May 2010
Burnt Necks and Football
Weather is back, it was about 28/29 degrees today!
Now this is hot for us, tops were off, slightly less white skin was bared, locals kinda stared, but were they scared?!
Day off, BTC in full effect on the Ipanema Beach, famously sung about by some dude
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Girl_from_Ipanema
A really lovely beach, the water was crawling with body boarders and surfers, which made swimming or frolicking slightly dangerous, but we went in anyway.
A few beers on the beach, a few more sunburnt bboys later, we headed to the local football match. Flamengo FC vs some other ball kickers. By all accounts it was ok, could have been better, but it was in the biggest stadium in the world, Maracana Stadium, but it was not filled that day, the rest of them must have been in the pub!?
Now this is hot for us, tops were off, slightly less white skin was bared, locals kinda stared, but were they scared?!
Day off, BTC in full effect on the Ipanema Beach, famously sung about by some dude
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Girl_from_Ipanema
A really lovely beach, the water was crawling with body boarders and surfers, which made swimming or frolicking slightly dangerous, but we went in anyway.
A few beers on the beach, a few more sunburnt bboys later, we headed to the local football match. Flamengo FC vs some other ball kickers. By all accounts it was ok, could have been better, but it was in the biggest stadium in the world, Maracana Stadium, but it was not filled that day, the rest of them must have been in the pub!?
Today was a good day!
Up at Canta Garo, another lovely morning off, few hangovers, few sleepy heads and a few went to the beach, another day in Rio!?!?
After regrouping we went to Canta Gara, and ran over a few things with AR and then had a jam with the local bboys, few wee battles, nice circles and a a good vibe.
As Mr Ice Cube would say 'today was a good day'
Nite before was interesting, we went to LAPA, which is kinda like a large outdoor niteclub/slash bar. But dont think of anything commerical its raw, gritty and in your face, right in the middle of the streets. Hundreds of revellers make their way their over the weekend to let of some steam. You recognise it from the 'Beautiful ' video by Snooper Snoopy Dogg Dog and The Nerd
The steps are famous.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFfb_CwBma0&feature=related
Note: Rio is NOT ALL like these rap hoppers portray in this video.
After regrouping we went to Canta Gara, and ran over a few things with AR and then had a jam with the local bboys, few wee battles, nice circles and a a good vibe.
As Mr Ice Cube would say 'today was a good day'
Nite before was interesting, we went to LAPA, which is kinda like a large outdoor niteclub/slash bar. But dont think of anything commerical its raw, gritty and in your face, right in the middle of the streets. Hundreds of revellers make their way their over the weekend to let of some steam. You recognise it from the 'Beautiful ' video by Snooper Snoopy Dogg Dog and The Nerd
The steps are famous.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFfb_CwBma0&feature=related
Note: Rio is NOT ALL like these rap hoppers portray in this video.
This is true hiphop.
This morning we had a nice few hours off, some caught up on much needed sleep, others went to the beach. Caught up the strong waves of Copacabana, is a good way to start the morning.
Even after the hotels endless supply of suggy surprise and eggers.
The waves attacked Balen, P, Rokas and Doke with no mercy, kinda like Mr Lawerence in Karate Kid, sweeping the legs all over the shop.
Neptunes wake up is something to remember
Back at the hills of favela Canta Garo, we rehearsed and then jammed with the local bboys, some barefooted, some with trainers, everyone loving it.
Skills wise, the kids were promising, flexibility seems to be inherited (must be the sun) but all praise to their teacher bboy Luciano, who has done a great job of instilling the foundations of the dance. They are keen to learn and toprocks, and intricate footwork patterns interests them the most.
Up in the favelas.
We speak different languages, but speak the same through our dance
This is true hiphop.
Even after the hotels endless supply of suggy surprise and eggers.
The waves attacked Balen, P, Rokas and Doke with no mercy, kinda like Mr Lawerence in Karate Kid, sweeping the legs all over the shop.
Neptunes wake up is something to remember
Back at the hills of favela Canta Garo, we rehearsed and then jammed with the local bboys, some barefooted, some with trainers, everyone loving it.
Skills wise, the kids were promising, flexibility seems to be inherited (must be the sun) but all praise to their teacher bboy Luciano, who has done a great job of instilling the foundations of the dance. They are keen to learn and toprocks, and intricate footwork patterns interests them the most.
Up in the favelas.
We speak different languages, but speak the same through our dance
This is true hiphop.
Thursday 20 May 2010
Hillside Dance, Hillside Beats
Back to Canto Garo today, the cultural centre on the steepest of steep hills.
A long hard slog of a day rehearsing with AR
Not much to report, as we spent the day going at it, the lads worked so hard today. Proud is not the word.
Show is coming together nicely.
Weather is a bit overcast, so the white skinned ones are not getting burnt.
It was Jellys 25th Birthday today, so after a wee sing song Rachel from Peoples Palace presented him with a offical Flamengo soccer jersey. This is the local team, who were actually playing tonite, where Jel and most of the lads went out for a few drinks to celebrate and watch the game. Judging by roars in the street, it was a good game. Thanks to Rachel for his present.
Tried to update photos but internet is a bit slow, and cant handle it, soon come.
Sleep.
A long hard slog of a day rehearsing with AR
Not much to report, as we spent the day going at it, the lads worked so hard today. Proud is not the word.
Show is coming together nicely.
Weather is a bit overcast, so the white skinned ones are not getting burnt.
It was Jellys 25th Birthday today, so after a wee sing song Rachel from Peoples Palace presented him with a offical Flamengo soccer jersey. This is the local team, who were actually playing tonite, where Jel and most of the lads went out for a few drinks to celebrate and watch the game. Judging by roars in the street, it was a good game. Thanks to Rachel for his present.
Tried to update photos but internet is a bit slow, and cant handle it, soon come.
Sleep.
Taste Guilt, Tasting Freedom
Today we went to 2 Juevenile Correctional Facilties to do workshops
One for lads, one for girls, the centres were seperate as you can imagine, only 5 mins walk from eachother.
To be honest we were a bit nervous about this one, as you would except, but it was very humbling and interesting
The centres house young people who commit crimes from simple theft right through to gang affilatied crimes, drugs and other misdeamours.
The lads had to be seperated due to their gang or commands as they are known here, we performed and taught them in a large sportshall, it was a bit intimadating at the start as they eyeballed the 'gringo's' but once we did some moves, and showed respect to them we were welcomed to some degree.
About 10 lads out of the 50, took part in the workshop, some of them had brilliant flips and capoeria skills, Raw-b had a wee caporeia play with one of them, and this went down a storm.
Doing this type of work was very different and it made you realise the actual scale of the problems here, when you seen the various bullet marks, gang tattoos, scars on the kids 12yrs old to 20ish.
The centre does not like to be known as a prison, but it really was a prison, albeit a prison with dope graffiti murals, and decent sporting facilties, but their were still the bars and razor wire, uniforms but un armed guards.
Afro Reggae haved worked here for a while now, and the kids, showed us a drumming piece, which was fresh, a mix of afro reggae style, and baile funk.
We had dinner there, which was lovely and then left.
Felt weird leaving, when we could look up, at all the kids, peering out from behind bars, shouting 'amigo' and whatever else they were saying, when we could hop in a bus and return to our clean, clean lives.
The girls centre, was slightly different, if you didnt know any better, you could have mistaken it for a youth centre/ retreat but some of the girls were in for serious crime, majority of it drug related. They were a bit less receptive to the show and did not take part in the workshop. However when the Baile Funk provided by Afro Reggae came on, the girls got up and started going for it. Dancing verging on obscene happened before our eyes, haha, a mixture of dancehall moves, traditional brazilian and some street, these girls loved it and taught us the dances.
We left the centres with a strange taste of freedom/guilt/awe and headed back to our plush hotel, leaving them to their lives. Was a different day to say the least, a day we will never forget.
One for lads, one for girls, the centres were seperate as you can imagine, only 5 mins walk from eachother.
To be honest we were a bit nervous about this one, as you would except, but it was very humbling and interesting
The centres house young people who commit crimes from simple theft right through to gang affilatied crimes, drugs and other misdeamours.
The lads had to be seperated due to their gang or commands as they are known here, we performed and taught them in a large sportshall, it was a bit intimadating at the start as they eyeballed the 'gringo's' but once we did some moves, and showed respect to them we were welcomed to some degree.
About 10 lads out of the 50, took part in the workshop, some of them had brilliant flips and capoeria skills, Raw-b had a wee caporeia play with one of them, and this went down a storm.
Doing this type of work was very different and it made you realise the actual scale of the problems here, when you seen the various bullet marks, gang tattoos, scars on the kids 12yrs old to 20ish.
The centre does not like to be known as a prison, but it really was a prison, albeit a prison with dope graffiti murals, and decent sporting facilties, but their were still the bars and razor wire, uniforms but un armed guards.
Afro Reggae haved worked here for a while now, and the kids, showed us a drumming piece, which was fresh, a mix of afro reggae style, and baile funk.
We had dinner there, which was lovely and then left.
Felt weird leaving, when we could look up, at all the kids, peering out from behind bars, shouting 'amigo' and whatever else they were saying, when we could hop in a bus and return to our clean, clean lives.
The girls centre, was slightly different, if you didnt know any better, you could have mistaken it for a youth centre/ retreat but some of the girls were in for serious crime, majority of it drug related. They were a bit less receptive to the show and did not take part in the workshop. However when the Baile Funk provided by Afro Reggae came on, the girls got up and started going for it. Dancing verging on obscene happened before our eyes, haha, a mixture of dancehall moves, traditional brazilian and some street, these girls loved it and taught us the dances.
We left the centres with a strange taste of freedom/guilt/awe and headed back to our plush hotel, leaving them to their lives. Was a different day to say the least, a day we will never forget.
Canta Garo
Location: Canta Garo (Cultural Centre in the middle of a steep steep steep favela)
Today we got a good sleep in, tho Rock and Nicola decided to go for a jog and a coconut milk breakfast, good on ye kids. We dreamt of jogging and the like, was great.
Word in the BTC camp is that various members have been sleeping conversing with eachother, and rumours of one BTC member taking it to another level by actually singing in a choir style. Some just curse and raise defiant fists in the air. Could this be the Afro Reggae symbology creeping in? but where does the choir singer come from? haha
The venue is great, a beautiful view over the whole of rio copacabana coast, and a lake to the east, various large scary birds, hover in the distance, condors? eagles, or Archaeopteryx, who knows, but they are mahoooosive.
The 2 brothers mountain range looks over everyone and seems to protect everything, hopefully including the children who greet us with us a dance, circus and gymnastic display Everyone here seems to love to perform and the talent is high.
After we warm up, clean the sweat pools and rehearse with AR. HARDCORE!
Food Oclock, food is so nice here, generous proportions, chicken, beans, salad and a lovely tropical fruit drink, soul food for the hard working dancers and drummers. After people look like they could curl up and sleep, but no rest for the wicked, back to the rehearsal and solider on.
Monday 17 May 2010
Power
Awake at 7am, or 8am for some.
To the beach, ghetto workout, then a swim.
8am, Balen and P, decide dance with death, as they decide to prank wake up Raw-B.
RED HULK ASLEEP
2 BOYS ATTACK
RED HULK CONFUSED??
RED HULK MAD!!
2 BOYS RUN FOR DEAR LIFE, LAUGHIN
RED HULK SMASH!!!!!!
Driving from Rio to Favela is fun, our driver seems to like playing with the traffic, I am sure its fine though, Nicola and others may need new underwear. haha
Seatbelt very super friend today
The roadsides are covered in graffiti, the pieces and throwups are fresh, real interesting styles and funky lettering.
Arrive at Vigaro Geral (spelling?) greeted by the sounds of Afro Lata, thundering beats and dancing.
All around us is beautiful ugly, beautiful decay, rebuilding and tapped power!
Afro Reggae seemed to have tapped into this power.
A powerful fist proudly punches the air of the complexo, standing for, pride, community, music and art. This is the diamond in the rough, Afro Reggaes new art centre.
Have a tour of the building which will be soon be open, then off to 'Lil Dummies' cafe.
A short happy local legend that is Lil Dummy serves us her finest local cuisine, black beans still reign supreme.
Straight from there into rehearsals, some of us have ate too much!
The sounds of the funky drummers get the feet moving.
Looking out over the favelas, inside looking out, always aware of whats outside looking in.
This is in the middle of
of this
To the beach, ghetto workout, then a swim.
8am, Balen and P, decide dance with death, as they decide to prank wake up Raw-B.
RED HULK ASLEEP
2 BOYS ATTACK
RED HULK CONFUSED??
RED HULK MAD!!
2 BOYS RUN FOR DEAR LIFE, LAUGHIN
RED HULK SMASH!!!!!!
Driving from Rio to Favela is fun, our driver seems to like playing with the traffic, I am sure its fine though, Nicola and others may need new underwear. haha
Seatbelt very super friend today
The roadsides are covered in graffiti, the pieces and throwups are fresh, real interesting styles and funky lettering.
Arrive at Vigaro Geral (spelling?) greeted by the sounds of Afro Lata, thundering beats and dancing.
All around us is beautiful ugly, beautiful decay, rebuilding and tapped power!
Afro Reggae seemed to have tapped into this power.
A powerful fist proudly punches the air of the complexo, standing for, pride, community, music and art. This is the diamond in the rough, Afro Reggaes new art centre.
Have a tour of the building which will be soon be open, then off to 'Lil Dummies' cafe.
A short happy local legend that is Lil Dummy serves us her finest local cuisine, black beans still reign supreme.
Straight from there into rehearsals, some of us have ate too much!
The sounds of the funky drummers get the feet moving.
Looking out over the favelas, inside looking out, always aware of whats outside looking in.
This is in the middle of
of this
Red and White, burnt alright
Some rise at 7am
Some bet others wont rise at 7am
Some dont believe others rose at 7am
Most rise at 9am
Awake and happy we head to the beach, 27degrees at 10am!
Water is warm, the sand is hot, we get burnt, arms, heads, necks, feet and noses.
The locals stare and laugh at the red men, the red and white men from tyrone, the red villian of villinus and japanese irish girl who looks like she has lived in Brazil all her life, strange crew.
The waves are strong, and only 2 feet, but seem huge, our surfer friend Kellz, would be ashamed of us, freaking out in this huge swell, haha, BTC will never be a surf crew. :)
Rokas drinks from a coconut, Robby flips from any available ledge, Balen follows a weird woman with green hair, P gets burnt, Nicola gets brown, etc etc.
All of us go back into the water, happy babies in the sink!
Trundle off to Ipanenma beach, must remember to get Judith from FYT some sand.
Aim to watch the sunset on a hill, but get distracted by a capoeria circle, rasta snake man runs the circle, with kids running in and out, flipping and playing. vibe is amazing, friendly.
Climb a hill take in the 360 panorama of water and beauty, fresh!
Head back for food, All you can eat meat. Served by very keen waiters, who kinda bully you into eating all types of meat. Doesnt help that they serve it off massive spears, aw well, very nice tho. However dont ever eat chicken heart, is not nice.
Bellies full, we roll to the bar, chopp chopp and more chopp, we get a bit tipsy.
Dance our way home, hit a few sticker slaps, catch a few photos, sleep zzzzz
Some bet others wont rise at 7am
Some dont believe others rose at 7am
Most rise at 9am
Awake and happy we head to the beach, 27degrees at 10am!
Water is warm, the sand is hot, we get burnt, arms, heads, necks, feet and noses.
The locals stare and laugh at the red men, the red and white men from tyrone, the red villian of villinus and japanese irish girl who looks like she has lived in Brazil all her life, strange crew.
The waves are strong, and only 2 feet, but seem huge, our surfer friend Kellz, would be ashamed of us, freaking out in this huge swell, haha, BTC will never be a surf crew. :)
Rokas drinks from a coconut, Robby flips from any available ledge, Balen follows a weird woman with green hair, P gets burnt, Nicola gets brown, etc etc.
All of us go back into the water, happy babies in the sink!
Trundle off to Ipanenma beach, must remember to get Judith from FYT some sand.
Aim to watch the sunset on a hill, but get distracted by a capoeria circle, rasta snake man runs the circle, with kids running in and out, flipping and playing. vibe is amazing, friendly.
Climb a hill take in the 360 panorama of water and beauty, fresh!
Head back for food, All you can eat meat. Served by very keen waiters, who kinda bully you into eating all types of meat. Doesnt help that they serve it off massive spears, aw well, very nice tho. However dont ever eat chicken heart, is not nice.
Bellies full, we roll to the bar, chopp chopp and more chopp, we get a bit tipsy.
Dance our way home, hit a few sticker slaps, catch a few photos, sleep zzzzz
Day 1
Day 1
12 Hours on a plane
Meet Afro Reggae at the airport, its hot, sticky with warm air. Its dark and its 5.30pm
Its one month before their winter and 23 degrees, we are all sweating haha
Shakes and hugs, old friends together apart in their land this time, singsongs in the van in a darkened air cooled van driving through Rio.
Arrive at hotel SESC, which is a cultural centre and theatre aswell, its only 5 mins walk from the famous copacanbana beach.!
The air is warm and the people are brown, we are white, really white.
Surreal and weird we walk this new place, no one can believe we are here, we are jet lagged, disorientated in a good way.
We walk the beautifully tiled pavements, people watching and observing the eaters, runners, hustlers, workers and tourists.
We meet Paul from Peoples Palace, have local food and a chopp (beer).
Rachel decides to take us weary travellers toa local bar, which seems to function as a meeting place for ladies of the night, gender bending dancing folk, men who watch your every move and drunk burly men from south africa and uk.
60% night ladies, 30% dunno, 10% lost tourists, in awe and shock at the scenes unfolding naturally before us. Feels weird, but strangley we are drawn to this seedy but somehow normal situation.
Few more chopps and head home, on the way back we discover the Rio 'Ghetto Work out benches' which are situated every mile along the strip, drunk pull ups are executed.
Sleep like babies.
12 Hours on a plane
Meet Afro Reggae at the airport, its hot, sticky with warm air. Its dark and its 5.30pm
Its one month before their winter and 23 degrees, we are all sweating haha
Shakes and hugs, old friends together apart in their land this time, singsongs in the van in a darkened air cooled van driving through Rio.
Arrive at hotel SESC, which is a cultural centre and theatre aswell, its only 5 mins walk from the famous copacanbana beach.!
The air is warm and the people are brown, we are white, really white.
Surreal and weird we walk this new place, no one can believe we are here, we are jet lagged, disorientated in a good way.
We walk the beautifully tiled pavements, people watching and observing the eaters, runners, hustlers, workers and tourists.
We meet Paul from Peoples Palace, have local food and a chopp (beer).
Rachel decides to take us weary travellers toa local bar, which seems to function as a meeting place for ladies of the night, gender bending dancing folk, men who watch your every move and drunk burly men from south africa and uk.
60% night ladies, 30% dunno, 10% lost tourists, in awe and shock at the scenes unfolding naturally before us. Feels weird, but strangley we are drawn to this seedy but somehow normal situation.
Few more chopps and head home, on the way back we discover the Rio 'Ghetto Work out benches' which are situated every mile along the strip, drunk pull ups are executed.
Sleep like babies.
Friday 14 May 2010
BTC leave for Brazil today!
In a few hours we will leave the Toon, for the over night stay in the mammoth Heathrow Airport.
I suspect very little sleep and alot of fun, plus practice, maybe a few beers too :)
Update soon.
BTC
I suspect very little sleep and alot of fun, plus practice, maybe a few beers too :)
Update soon.
BTC
Wednesday 5 May 2010
http://www.peoplespalace.org.uk/projects/badtastecru.html
Favela to the World
AfroReggae and Bad Taste Cru in the NorthEast!
Internationally-renowned AfroReggae returned to Dance City in Newcastle for two weeks of work with the Northeast based break dance group Bad Taste Cru in October 2009. People's Palace Projects and Dance City are proud to announce the creation of Together Apart, a brand new collaborative show that was premiered in Newcastle Gateshead's festival for young people, Juice.
AfroReggae and Bad Taste Cru worked together to deliver workshops to various local groups including The Sage Gateshead's Apprentices, The Lawnmowers Theatre Company and Northumbria University students. These sessions culminated in a sharing performance and plans for future work together.
Alongside their workshop programme the two groups also developed a brand new, hugely exciting and vibrant show that explored the similarities of two very different worlds: Together Apart. They performed to enthusiastic audiences on the 23rd and 24th October 09.
BTC go to Brazil
Next week we are going to Brazil to work with Afro Reggae in Rio and Sao Paulo.
2 weeks working with young people in the favelas and doing performances.
Keep an eye on this blog for pics, updates, and footage of this incredible project.
thanks to Peoples Palace Project, Dance City, Arts Council, Find Your Talent, NGI, and anyone else who has helped get this project together.
BTC
2 weeks working with young people in the favelas and doing performances.
Keep an eye on this blog for pics, updates, and footage of this incredible project.
thanks to Peoples Palace Project, Dance City, Arts Council, Find Your Talent, NGI, and anyone else who has helped get this project together.
BTC
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