Maracatu Drumming Workshop with Newton from Baque Trovão

Three hours of Afro-Brazilian drumming with Newton Peres of Cambridge's Baque Trovão. All welcome, no experience needed, drums provided.
About this Event

On Friday 23rd October, Baque da Abelha welcomes Newton Peres to Brighton to lead a special three-hour maracatu workshop.

Newton is the conductor of Baque Trovão, the Cambridge-based maracatu group he helped found. He has spent over twenty years playing and teaching this music, in the UK, internationally, and in the street culture of northeast Brazil, where he learned directly Nação do Maracatu Aurora Africana who carry the tradition. He is joined by Nicole, who plays alongside him in Baque Trovão. They are generous teachers and very good ones, and we are delighted to bring them down to the coast.

Maracatu de baque virado comes from Pernambuco in northeast Brazil. It is around 400 years old, born out of the Afro-Brazilian communities of the colonial period, and it is loud, hypnotic and built entirely around playing together. The alfaia drums carry a rhythm you feel in your chest before you understand it with your head.

Over the evening Newton will teach us new songs and rhythms from the tradition, and share the stories and culture that sit behind them.

Who it's for

Everyone. No experience is needed and no instrument of your own is required. If you have never held a drumstick, you will be fine. If you already play, there will be plenty for you here too.

Children are very welcome. Anyone under 16 will need a parent or carer taking part alongside them.

The details

• Friday 23rd October, 5pm to 8pm
• The Skep, Moulsecoomb Place, Brighton
• £9 per person for this session, booked through this page
• Drums and beaters are provided. If you have your own alfaia, caixa or agbê, do bring it along, as it means more hands playing at once
• Wear ear protection (the workshop can be loud)
• The venue is accessible
• Wear something you can move in, and bring a water bottle

Baque da Abelha is Brighton's maracatu community group. We rehearse on Friday evenings and everything we raise goes back into rent, instruments and supporting the communities in Brazil this music comes from. Come and find out what we do.

Questions: [email protected]