What a wonderful Saturday afternoon! We ventured over to Trinity College in Hartford to check out the Samba Fest. It was really great - a nice variety of "world music"with a tasteful emphasis on education and learning. We were in smiles the whole time,
We didn't arrive until after 12:30 so the first act we saw was"FRIENDZ World Music" a West African percussion ensemble - they were great!
Next was a brief intro on Brazilian Capoeira where ALL of us were encouraged to physically participate in learning the moves. Although I am familiar with the berimbau and capoeria, breaking down the art form into specific sequential moves and physically doing them brought me to a whole new level of understanding and appreciation (and out of breath as well :-) )
Cris even bought T-shirts for us both! :-)
After the capoeira segment, the next act was a steel drum ensemble - part of the Trinity College Caribbean Studies program -- How cool is that?Pretty darn good I'd say - nice arrangements as well!
Next a Brazilian Carnival Band took the stage:
There were food trucks nearby so I stepped out to get a lunch. It took forever cuz the line was long and the folks were slow but it was good: a Brazilian hot meal of black beans and rice, cove, farofa and a side of Pão De Queijo!
The next act was amazing and their American debut! The Serginho Silva Ensemble was all-star group a professional Brazilian musicians who've worked with all the top names in Brazilian music (Milton Nascimento, etc.)
The final act was a virtuoso guitarist Yamandu Costa and a bandoleon player: Richard Scofano! Their innate ability to spontaneously play off each other in such a sensitive and musically tasteful way was truly mesmerizing!
The Samba Fest was a marvelous presentation of Brazilian and world music and we we so glad to attend. we look forward to next year's Festival!
