Thursday, October 8, 2015

Warsawa

After spending a couple of weeks travelling through Poland, I thought I'd try to squeeze in one last samba adventure before heading home. 

When I'm visiting a different city I sometimes have a quick search for local samba groups to impose myself upon. Hoping that the samba stars align, yet understanding that there is a fair amount left to chance:

- Finding a bateria online in the local lingo.
- Sending an hopeful email in English, asking if I can gatecrash a practice.
- Being in the right place, at the right time, on the right day.  
- Avoiding the summer shut down, when even the most ardent sambista pretends that they have a life outside of their band.
- Succumbing to the pressures of conducting a 'normal' holiday and taking some pictures of actual touristic sights.
- Distracted by beer.

However... my luck was in!!





Irek runs a very cool bateria called Bloco Central in Warsaw. A great group of friendly souls who play some wicked samba. He invited me to both rehearse with the team and play with them for the Warsaw Marathon (to enthuse runners in the final throes of twenty six miles of self inflicted pain and agony). Uber generous of them to offer, and I was well pleased for the practice as my caixa skills had suffered at the hands of cheap vodka and more kotlet schabowy than you waggle a stick at.



Go to Poland!!

Voodoo Samba

Where do you go to recover from the Coburg comedown? The mighty LSS assisted rehabilitation by allowing me to join their Notting Hill Carnival capers.

I was able to join a couple of Sunday rehearsals before the big weekend, down at the Waterloo Action Centre. A place where things happen. You can't just apathetically observe. You go there to get stuck in.







The main weekend was two full days of learning this years bewitching enredo. I attempted singing and playing at the same time but both suffered, which is pretty amazing, especially if you've ever heard me sing. I was eventually able to contribute a football hooligan style chorus where no Portuguese words were required. The rousing chants of voodoo were right up my street and the costuming of the various alas was a super cool theme well realised. 

The effort that goes into the weekend means the weather gods should definitely take heed and look favourably upon this mass of mortals putting their skills, ability and livers on the line for three days. Unfortunately, they didn't listen and it rained for the main Monday parade, which put the kaibosh on thronging crowds fighting between themselves for front-line action. However, spirits were high for the whole weekend and many spirits and alcoholic beverages improved harmony, just maybe not harmonia.

Massive amounts of thanks are due; It was an amazing weekend of music, camaraderie and good times.



Coburg 2015


After the rigorous reconnaissance of last year, the six of us returned home to Wellington and effused, emoted and excited others about the promised land of samba. Religious fervour could have taken a leaf out of our book. We thought an application for 2016 would buy us enough time to get people interested and financially committed to represent Wellington on the world stage. However, the organisers challenged us, by asking us to putt our samba chops where out mouths are and sign up for 2015.

Surprising even our own optimistic selves, we ended up with 25 sambistas throwing their natty hats into the ring for the trip. We also invited a few friends who lived in Europe, the amazing Mancunians from Global Grooves and rounded up a few other enthusiastic locals to join us on the journey.




We decided to bring a decidedly New Zealand flavour to proceedings with the use of Maori instrumentation and welcome for the start of each performance, sliding into Candomble style singing before our attempt to dazzle folk with a run through our smorgasboard repertoire. We've got heaps of material, so we split our favourites into two different sets. We got some cool feedback, which was really humbling and confidence building. Being stuck on the arse end of the world, away from the huge European samba community, validation and support from other performers was a real accolade.





Most importantly: We drunk lots of delicious German beer, met loads of old and new friends, and had a complete blast.

A proud moment indeed.