January in Maine Heats Up…
My introduction to Balé Folclórico da Bahia began when I started to assemble the study guide, a resource Ovations Offstage offers for all our School-Time Performances. I started familiarizing myself with the company, their repertory, and the cultural influences of Brazil and the African Diaspora. I read, watched videos, and listened to music connected to Bahia, however, nothing could have prepared me for the intensely energetic, and loaded performance last Wednesday evening. The rich cultural practices of Candomblé, capoeira, and samba were creatively interpreted for the stage and the 38 members of Balé Folclórico da Bahia filled Merrill Auditorium with the spirit of these traditions. The intense rhythm and energy of the music and dance infected the audience. I watched the movement grow in a group of young ballet dancers sitting in front of me. Their kinaesthetic connection to the dancers onstage was clear and their initial twitching evolved into full-fledged dancing in their seats. This connection was fostered by the company who intermittently broke the stage/audience barrier and incited everyone to participate in moving.
Those who attended the pre-performance lecture/demonstration by Mestre Joao Bardallo and six other musician/dancers were dually prepared for this participation after learning capoeira basics as well as a brief history of this martial arts/dance cultural phenomenon. Members of Balé Folclórico joined in playing drums, tambourines, and singing traditional capoeira songs.
The emphasized collectiveness; the power of movement and music; and the distinct cultural influences of Balé Folclórico da Bahia were personally inspiring, but also left lasting impressions for many of our School-Time Performance audience members. Educators reported that students were captured by the athleticism of the performers, the high energy, great music, the amazing visuals, and one normally fidgeting 4 year-old proclaimed, “It’s over already? I wasn’t even bored at all!” The School-Time Performance served as a springboard for conversations about Brazilian and African cultural practices and dance for many students and educators.
What did you leave the performance most struck by? What did you find most memorable?
Greg says:
I attended da Bahia not really knowing what to expect…the power and extent of movement was amazing which built up to a crescendo to the final number!! an amazing performance!!