FOR THOSE OF YOU IN A RUSH HERE’S THE CONDENSED VERSION! But do scroll down to the end of the longer version to see how YOU can get involved…
As the lights dim, the stage is lit from behind, showing the dancers in stark silhouette; they are each wearing a slick white suit and trilby hat, posing on separate tiers of scaffolding. They slowly begin their samba steps and we are soon shown the journey of Brazil, from the more European influence, through to the many dance forms and cultures that have come from such diverse places as Africa and the native Brazilian Indians themselves. The show ends with a celebration of life and each of the dancers clothed in fluorescent flowers!
Balé de Rua translates as ‘Ballet of the street’ and this is what they seek to combine, including samba, capoeira, and break dancing. There are 15 dancers, 14 men and one woman, they have all practised street dance and hip hop, none have been selected from traditional dance classes. There passion for dance is evident!
In spite of their great energy and optimism, Balé de Rua are keen to dispel the misconception of the Brazilian who is only interested in partying and having a good time without any cares. Fernando Narduchi, one of the founders, argues that in order to keep their identity the poor needed that release from a life of hardship. Therefore the performance also focuses on Brazil’s dark past of slavery.
At the end of the show, just as I thought it was all over, the dancers came down off the stage and pulled some of the audience onto their feet, I was one of those chosen! I did my best to follow the steps… but I didn’t let that bother me as by this point the exuberant spirit was totally infectious.
Here’s a video montage of Balé de Rua in action at their different performances:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqVSNIltFPw&feature=related
IF YOU HAVE A BIT MORE TIME SETTLE IN AND ENJOY
As the lights dim, the stage is lit from behind, showing the dancers in stark silhouette; they are each wearing a slick white suit and trilby hat, posing on separate tiers of scaffolding. They slowly begin their samba steps and we are soon shown the journey of Brazil, from the more European influence, through to the many dance forms and cultures that have come from such diverse places as Africa and the native Brazilian Indians themselves. The show ends with a celebration of life and each of the dancers clothed in fluorescent flowers!
Balé de Rua translates as ‘Ballet of the street’ and this is what they seek to combine, including samba, capoeira, and break dancing. There are 15 dancers, 14 men and one woman, they have all practised street dance and hip hop, none have been selected from traditional dance classes. There passion for dance is evident!
In spite of their great energy and optimism, Balé de Rua are keen to dispel the misconception of the Brazilian who is only interested in partying and having a good time without any cares. Fernando Narduchi, one of the founders, argues that in order to keep their identity the poor needed that release from a life of hardship. Therefore the show also focuses on Brazil’s dark past of slavery.
Brazil had slaves for over 350 years and when these individuals were finally granted their freedom, more than 3.5 million people from Africa had been forced into a life of slavery. This represents the biggest ever forced transfer of individuals in history.
There were many poignant and painful scenes to convey this history; one that was particularly striking involved one dancer in the centre, representing the spirit of the black slave, whilst the other dancers spat different couloured paint onto him, red, blue, yellow, green, a physical representation of their insults and his suffering. He became multicoloured and somehow beautiful, perhaps a representation of Brazil’s own multicultural society and a celebration of it.
At the end of the show, just as I thought it was all over, the dancers came down off the stage and pulled some of the audience onto their feet, I was one of those chosen! I did my best to follow the steps… but I didn’t let that bother me as by this point the exuberant spirit was totally infectious.
Here’s a video montage of Balé de Rua in action at their different performances:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqVSNIltFPw&feature=related
I’ve always been interested in capoeira and now I’m even more so, it’s a Brazilian martial art that some say was developed by the slaves of Brazil. It has evolved as a mixture of dance and martial art because the early practitioners had to disguise the fighting element as this was forbidden.
GET INVOLVED
If you’re interested in capoeira – here’s your chance… If you’re a member of your local leisure centre in one of the London boroughs, there are free classes – if you’re not a member you can pay a one off fee for the classes, check it out:
Or there are loads of classes across the UK.
