MAGIC DRUM in collaboration with Dorchester Community Samba Band
and Dorchester Community Choir
present

A series of workshops exploring the rhythms and songs of North-East Brazil

led by SAM ALEXANDER

(London School of Samba/Maracatu Estrela do Norte)

14/21/28 November 2009 12.30 - 6pm
with a performance at Dorchester Arts Centre on Sat 5th December*

£45 (£27 concessions/under 18s) for all three sessions if booked in advance
or £20/£12 if booked individually.
Participants are welcome to come to individual workshops but we recommend attending all three if possible.

Following on from the highly successful taster session held in June 09 this is a project designed to involve anyone with an interest in drumming and/or singing. Over a course of three Saturdays participants will explore the rhythms and songs of Maracatu - a Brazilian style of music and performance related to Samba - culminating in a street performance as part of the Dorchester Christmas Cracker and a concert at Dorchester Arts Centre also featuring singing group the Heavens and the Magic Drum Orchestra. The project will also involve Kathie Prince and the Dorchester Community Choir.

The three workshops will be led by Sam Alexander. Sam was an early member of the first UK samba group, the London School of Samba and has established samba groups across the UK, as well living in Brazil and working with internationally acclaimed group Olodum. With around twenty five years experience as a player and music leader, Sam brings a great deal of understanding and skill teaching at all levels. His workshops are both great fun and a challenge and this series is recommended for anyone with an interest in drumming or Brazilian music.

Drums and percussion provided. Please bring your own lunch and refreshments.

Enquiries and bookings - Glyn Bush 01305 848026 or Dorchester Arts Centre box office

Advance booking recommended

*SAT DECEMBER 5TH 7.30pm at DORCHESTER ARTS CENTRE
MAGIC DRUM ORCHESTRA, THE HEAVENS, DORCHESTER COMMUNITY SAMBA BAND IN CONCERT

An evening of voice and rhythm to present the Maracatu project (see November) live in concert. Maracatu is an earthy, African-influenced offshoot of Brazilian Samba which various groups have come together to explore during a workshop series at the Arts Centre.
This event will give the participants an opportunity to show off their newly acquired drumming and singing skills in the company of established vocal group the Heavens (led by Kathie Prince) and the Magic Drum Orchestra, a 15-piece bateria playing their own unique mix of samba, afrobeat, hip hop, funk and jungle. The evening will feature various combinations of all the participants and is guranteed to bring a taste of tropical sunshine to a December evening.

Tickets £5/£3

More information and bookings: Glyn Bush 01305 848026 or box office.