COMING SOON OUR NEW HIP BRAZIL SHOW!

Coming soon our new Hip Brazil By Vanessa Isaac Show and site. Our site is in the process of being redone. I'm very exicited to share with all of you our Hip Brazil "vibes". I will keep you posted. I can let you know that you'll find information on dance, music, fitness, culture and lifestyle! You'll even be able to take a dance class online, really cool! Please keep spreading the word about it!

CARNAVAL IN BRAZIL

Anastasia Brush Hipbrazil Dancer/Photo by Stephen Hospodar

Carnival has it's roots in the pre-Christian era as the spring festival like the Roman New Year Celebration of Saturnalia or even the previous Greek Cult of Dionysus. Its character has always been a celebration of the earth's energy, the mixing of social classes and the release of the built up energies of the winter season. It survived in Christian Europe as Entrudo. It was a pre-Lenten observance when the acceptable rules of behavior were interrupted and people would celebrate with parties (such as the Feast of Fools).

The Portuguese brought with them to Brazil this tradition of the Entrudo. And at the end of the ninth century the masked balls that were in fashion in Europe became popular in Rio and costumed balls and parades became usual. Today, Brazilian Carnival owes its high energy and infections rhythms to Central and West African Traditions.

In his book, Dancing - The Pleasure, Power and Art of Movement, Jonas Gerald says: "Out of this mix came the so-called 'samba schools', neighborhood-based social clubs whose principal purpose is to organize Carnival processions. At first, the authorities in Rio discouraged the participation of samba schools from the city's poorer black neighborhoods; in the early years of this century club-swinging police often broke up rowdier processions. In 1935 the samba schools were organize as official Carnival organization: in return, the schools agreed to abide by the city regulations governing the use of musical instruments and the allegorical themes around which the pageants had to be structured. From this agreement Rio's modern carnival, a highly organized event that leaves room for individual 'acting out' was born."

Each school has as a goal to win the first prize in the officially sponsored samba contest. They are judged by a jury that it is appointed by the Government. To participate each school must create an original song that honors a historical event or person. The costume, samba song and floats must relate to the theme chosen.

The Brazilian Carnaval it is a mix of European and African influences. Rio's carnaval is not the only Carnival on the country. The whole country celebrates it. I have to mention here the great carnaval in Recife and Olinda that is celebrated to the sounds of frevo rhythms. Bahia, on the Northeast of the country, is the mother-land of all Afro-Brazilian traditions. There, many rhythms are created and each year more tourists come to be part of the Carnaval celebration. Bahia is also the land of Re-Africanization, a growing black consciousness movement.

i-pod sounds!

None of those Cds are new releases. I found myself enjoying them last week and
and they are great!

Ney Matogrosso Interpreta Cartola
Ney Matogrosso has a beautiful and unique counter-tenor voice. In this CD
Ney pays tribute to legendary composer, musician and poet Cartola. Cartola is one of the most important
Samba artists. Here Ney sings the classics as "As Rosas Não Falam", "O Mundo É Um Moinho", "Sim" e "O Sol Nascerá",
"Desfigurado" e "Senões". Highly recommended!

Universo ao Meu Redor: Marisa Monte
Marisa's productions are always immaculate. In this cd she truly marries samba and pop in
an elegant and melodious way. Beautiful album!

Whaa! Zuco 103
Zuco is a band that has great dance tunes and always something to say.
Mixing samba, hip hop, electronic, trance, and traditional world beats
Zuco is very "cool"