Bongar, from Olinda-Recife in Pernambuco, NE Brazil are in Belfast for a cultural exchange with Beat Carnival.

They will be working with Beat's youth groups, Beat'n'drum and traditional drummers and musicians. The Residency culminates in the Beat Carnival Weekend with the Belfast City Carnival on Saturday 19 June.

Beat’s new Carnival Academy programme is underway... We have received great response from groups wanting to join the programme: organisations ranging through schools, Girls’ Brigades, youth clubs, senior members of the community and people with disabilities.

The Maracatu Masterclass weekender on the 22 and 23 May 2010, held at Mandela Hall at QUBSU, Belfast was a huge success. 20 students from different backgrounds over the course of the weekend attended the classes.

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 Ireland Drummers would like to present Maracatu Ilha Brilho (Eel-ya Breel-yo). This is a traditional music project involving three cities from around Ireland. Kilkenn’s Jacare Samba group, Sligo’s Samboeire and Belfast’s Beatndrum have delved into old traditional northeastern brasilian rhythm and song.