Show in Campinas
Sponsored by Virada Cultural - Ministry of Culture for the state of São Paulo. A fantastic show combining the best of samba from north and south of the equator…
Jornal São Paulo - review
ESCOLA DE SAMBA DE TORONTO AT SESC JAÇANÃ WITH GRUPO CHOCOLATTE CANTA PARTIDO ALTO
“A beautiful spectacle, imparting various styles of samba in one show….Without a doubt, a show of pure culture you can’t miss, exalting samba of the highest quality to the world!”
-Jornal São Paulo, 20th of May, 2011
Show in Jaçanã
A performance in the northern region of São Paulo city, Jaçanã, home of the great samba composer Adoniran Barbosa.
“Encounters with Brazilian Popular Percussion: Escola de Samba de Toronto - Canada”
Thanks to John Boudler and Carlos Stasi from UNESP and Roberto Guariglia from Contemporânea!
“…founded in 1994, and is recognized as one of the most important cultural links between Canada and Brazil. Based at The Royal Conservatory, this group is directed by Alan Hetherington, who since 1989 has dedicated himself to the study of samba enredo from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Besides performing some of the elements of the samba tradition, the group also works with other instruments and styles that reflect the multiculturalism existing in their home city of Toronto.”
Samba Toronto Workshop at UNESP (State University of São Paulo)
Professors John Boudler and Carlos Stasi graciously invited us to perform and talk for the students at the state university of São Paulo, UNESP. Early in the morning (at least it was for us!), a little groggy, with images from the night before still vivid in our minds, we demonstrated some of our unusual original pieces and discussed their place in the contemporary samba repertory.
The students were extremely receptive and very interested in our influences and motivations. We had a lovely exchange of ideas and made some great new friends. Afterwards we all enjoyed a delicious lunch together.
Stunning Rio
The “Marvellous City”, the birthplace of the escola de samba movement and arguably the birthplace of samba itself (but don’t say that too loudly around anyone from Bahia!)
Friends at Bloco Vigário
Created by producer, singer and composer Rodrigo Bessa along with percussionist Gabriel Policarpo, who is considered to be one of the greatest revelations to have appeared in the latest generation of percussionists from the escolas de sambas in Rio de Janeiro. Bloco Vigário began its activities in 2005 and since then has shown its innovative and audacious style in all its musical arrangements.
It was truly an inspiring evening to play with them and make some new friends!
CASA DAS CALDEIRAS
12 Horas de Boteco (“12 Hours at the Pub”) is an annual event of food, drink and music for the São Paulo bohemia put on by the owners of one of the city’s most traditional libation establishments, Bar do Luis Fernandes.
The party takes place at one of the city’s most beautiful event venues, Casa das Caldeiras, an old boiler complex for an energy plant that was once a large industrial park filled with factories. Today the area is very similar to Toronto’s Distillery District.
During the performance we took an (un)expected detour in our samba medley: as we got to Gaviões’ “Me dê a mão, me abraça…” the crowd joined in as only Brazilians do, but of course they wouldn’t stop…”Let them go!”, Chocolatte mimed to everyone on stage as he marched off with a huge grin, letting the crowd take over: total delirium!
This was our last official gig. Judging by the expression on everyone’s face it was a fitting party for a fantastic tour.
Mestre Marcelo and Bateria Casper Líbero
An old friend from Alan’s days with Mocidade Alegre in São Paulo, Marcelo Pires (“Tieta”) invited us to spend some time together at the Parque Trianon with his bateria from the University Casper Líbero. We had a great time playing for each other, trading ideas and old time stories, and in the end all playing together. It was great to see Marcelo again, and inspiring to see and hear his work!
Chácara Belissima - Mairiporã, São Paulo
This was our home base for most of the tour; and idyllic oasis in the mountains, away from the the urban jungle…Paradise!
Food and Friends at the Chácara
Some of the best times were just hanging, eating, drinking and relaxing together…
Contemporânea
A Brazilian cultural institution, Contemporânea Instrumentos Musicais has been supporting samba and sambistas for decades. Visiting the store in Sta Ifegênia on a Saturday morning, you’ll meet the best of the best in samba, and you’ll get a chance to witness chorinho played by the city’s finest…
Os Bambas de Choro.
Chorinho at the Contemporânea store is an institution. Meeting every Saturday morning in the sacred back room, this tradition has been alive since the beginning of the 20th century. Starting at 10am and lasting til the store closes at around 2pm, the musicians then usually cross the street to the watering hole where the party resumes up a notch until “…only God knows when.”
The musicians who sit in are a different bunch every week, but one must be aware of the calibre that performs, and be prepared from visits of the likes of Arnaldinho do Cavaco, Carlos Poyares, Luizinho 7 Cordas, Isaías Bueno de Almeida, João Macacão; or those from Rio like Ronaldo do Bandolim (from Época de Ouro and Trio Madeira Brasil), Pedro Amorin and César Faria.
This is a gem of a musical stop that mustn’t be missed on any trip to São Paulo:
Rua General Osório, 46 (Santa Ifigênia) - near the “Luz” train station.
More Photos
Thanks to everyone for making this possible: our sponsors, the team, volunteers, and most of all YOU, for supporting us. If you’re interested in becoming involved let us know:
Até breve e um grande abraço!
Escola de Samba de Toronto
Days before the departure at the Royal Conservatory
Samba Toronto together with NTM Projetos Culturais in São Paulo presents: