13 May 2010

Brazilian Dance Masterclass – 22 & 23 May

The Beat Carnival are inviting individuals and groups to participate in a Maracatu and Bahian (from North East Brazil) dance masterclass on May 22 and 23. The weekend will be led by Mariana Pinho.

The Beat Carnival are inviting individuals and groups to participate in a Maracatu and Bahian (from North East Brazil) dance masterclass. The weekend will be led by Mariana Pinho. Mariana spends half her year based in London learning and teaching contemporary Brazilian dance, and the other half in the coastal cities of Brazil. Mariana is a motivating and fun workshop teacher who gets the most out of her class in a relaxed and friendly manner, while making sure you get a good workout learning the Maracatu and Bahian style dances of North East Brazil.

We aim to produce a large Maracatu dance section for the Belfast City Carnival by bringing groups and individuals together. Mariana will return for the carnival to lead the Maracatu dance section with a live traditional music and percussion fusion from Belfast and Brazil. 

Groups can register two leaders for the leader training sessions to learn the dance routines. In each of the afternoons Mariana will conduct open sessions where the dance leaders will practice their skills and up to 5 further participants from each group can join in to learn the choreography. 

Individual dance practitioners can register for the whole weekend. Interested individuals, who have no specific dance training, are invited to the open sessions each afternoon. The Beat Carnival will facilitate rehearsals for individuals every Thursday evening until Belfast City Carnival, 19th June. 

Cost is free but we do ask that you commit to participating in the Belfast City Carnival on the 19th June 2010. Those leaders who do the leader training will be able to direct the rest of your group. We can also arrange another workshop with your whole group with one of the Beat Carnival dancers.

Workshops will be held at:

Mandela Hall, Queens University, Student’s Union.

Saturday 22 May
Leader Training 10am – 1.00pm
Open Sessions 2.00pm – 5.30pm

Sunday 23 May
Leader Training 11am – 1.00pm
Open Sessions 2.00pm – 5.30pm

Tea, coffee and water will be provided throughout the day.

To enrol, please contact Emily on 028 9043 4767 or email workshops@beatcarnival.com

This project is supported by The Legacy Trust UK, Belfast City Council and Arts Council Northern Ireland.