MUSIC WORKSHOPS COURTESY OF THE SOLIDARITY OF ARTS FESTIVAL STARS
Nadbałtyckie Centrum Kultury, August 18th & 19th 2010, Naná Vasconcelos' Organic Workshops; photographs: Roman Jocher
Solidarity of Arts 2010 opened with Naná Vasconcelos’ trademark Organic Workshops. The legendary Brazilian percussionist once lead thousands at Pernambuco carnival parades, but this time he showed that he can also brilliantly handle a couple dozen, which is how many people were brave enough to come to the Nadbałtyckie Centrum Kultury in Gdańsk on the above dates.
Naná was in control of the proceedings from the moment he entered the room. He started with explaining to the participants the phenomenon of Brazilian rhythms and dances. Music sorts from various parts of Africa arrived to Brazil with the African immigrants and it was the first time these sorts had a chance to come together. Not surprisingly, they slowly started to fuse into something new. This is how samba and maracatu came to existence, the latter being particularly close to Naná’s heart. He later emphasized that we all carry an amazing musical instrument with us at all times: our body.
Naná asked the participants to form a circle and divided them into groups of three to five people. Each group was to simultaneously perform a rhythmic sequence choreographed by Naná. The sound effect of this remarkable orchestra was astonishing. One could see disbelief as well as childlike happiness on the faces of everyone who took part in the experience.
Naná ruled supreme in the middle of the circle. At times (not always) he looked content with his crew. He would then stop conducting and start dancing to the beat around him. Needless to say these moments were among the most cherished ones by the participants.
On the second day of the workshops Zohar Fresco of Israel came to see Naná’s class. He watched from the corner and smiled, particularly at times when rhythm sequences in the middle were coming together more or less smoothly. Naná would then briefly lean out to see if his colleague was impressed enough, the look on his face saying “See? I made it work somehow!” Thanks to the unique personality and professionalism of the Brazilian maestro, those who came to Nadbałtyckie Centrum Kultury on 18 and 19 August 2010 experienced a few intensive, not easily forgotten hours.
Solidarity of Arts 2010 opened with Naná Vasconcelos’ trademark Organic Workshops. The legendary Brazilian percussionist once lead thousands at Pernambuco carnival parades, but this time he showed that he can also brilliantly handle a couple dozen, which is how many people were brave enough to come to the Nadbałtyckie Centrum Kultury in Gdańsk on the above dates.
Naná was in control of the proceedings from the moment he entered the room. He started with explaining to the participants the phenomenon of Brazilian rhythms and dances. Music sorts from various parts of Africa arrived to Brazil with the African immigrants and it was the first time these sorts had a chance to come together. Not surprisingly, they slowly started to fuse into something new. This is how samba and maracatu came to existence, the latter being particularly close to Naná’s heart. He later emphasized that we all carry an amazing musical instrument with us at all times: our body.
Naná asked the participants to form a circle and divided them into groups of three to five people. Each group was to simultaneously perform a rhythmic sequence choreographed by Naná. The sound effect of this remarkable orchestra was astonishing. One could see disbelief as well as childlike happiness on the faces of everyone who took part in the experience.
Naná ruled supreme in the middle of the circle. At times (not always) he looked content with his crew. He would then stop conducting and start dancing to the beat around him. Needless to say these moments were among the most cherished ones by the participants.
On the second day of the workshops Zohar Fresco of Israel came to see Naná’s class. He watched from the corner and smiled, particularly at times when rhythm sequences in the middle were coming together more or less smoothly. Naná would then briefly lean out to see if his colleague was impressed enough, the look on his face saying “See? I made it work somehow!” Thanks to the unique personality and professionalism of the Brazilian maestro, those who came to Nadbałtyckie Centrum Kultury on 18 and 19 August 2010 experienced a few intensive, not easily forgotten hours.
