Hybrid (Join In-Person or Online)
$12-18
Learn to drum some Brazilian beats with Batalá. This group class will break down the music you've heard Batalá play, step by step. Students will be guided in proper stick technique, body positioning, and performance strategies, and dynamics for playing any of 4 different drums and other percussion instruments. Play the big surdo to bring in that deep base, the repique to send up that clave, or the agogo bell to resonate and inspire. The class will also include light choreography and Afro-Brazilian movement technique--appreciating the drum as an extension of the body. Every class will feature different rhythms, including Samba Reggae, Samba Duro, Samba Mambo, and Samba Afro. This class is for all levels. Instruments provided. All genders are welcome. No prior musical experience necessary.
Batalá New York is an all women, Black-led, Afrocentric drumming ensemble. We understand Afro-Brazilian culture to be the product of Black resistance and promote and collaborate with a network of Afro-Brazilian artists in Bahia, in New York, and around the globe. We are also transforming images of women by presenting a loud, fearless and diverse community of female drummers. We perform all over the New York region in concert halls, at community centers, parks and gardens, on the streets, at protests, and at top cultural institutions.
Batalá New York is part of a global arts project of over thirty bands playing Afro-Brazilian music with percussive instruments and costumes hailing from Salvador de Bahia, in northeast Brazil. The Batalá bands principally play Samba Reggae, a world music that incorporates Brazilian Samba and Caribbean Reggae. The band's music includes rhythms heard throughout the African diaspora and pays homage to traditional Afro-Brazilian music and spirituality. Most of our instruments are worn on the body as we play. Our performances, with colorful costumes and dynamic choreography, are a high energy, joyful percussive experience.
Luan Barbosa Sabino is a Percussionist born in São Paulo, Brazil. Encouraged by his parents, he attended samba schools from the age of 8. At 13 he debuted in his first parade, and at 15 he was already working as a professional musician. Inspired by his older brother GUMA SENA, professional drummer and current drum master of the Samba School Mancha Verde (SP), he already emerged playing with the most important names in Samba and Brazilian music. In his career, Luan has worked with renowned Brazilian artists such as Art Popular, Belo, Raça Negra, Arlindo Cruz, Ana Carolina, Beth Carvalho. In his international career he has recorded with Gloria Stefan, and has played twice with Ricky Martin. Luan continues his career giving workshops on Brazilian music around the world, having toured extensively through Central Africa, Japan, México, United States, Netherlands and more ... endorsed by Contemporânea musical instruments company Luan continues teaching and using as the central theme of his classes his experiences and concepts of how to understand and execute the language of Samba and percussive Brazilian music.
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