Brazilian dance spectacular to heat up Sydney this summer
8 – 17 January 2010
Concert Hall
“a freewheeling mix of religion and rhythm, high spirits and serious intent…a joy to behold” The Guardian
With a pulsating mix of African dance, hip-hop, samba and capoeira, Brazil’s Balé de Rua will send temperatures soaring when they storm the Sydney Opera House for just 11 shows this summer. A sell-out in Paris, a triumph in Edinburgh and a hit in London, this international blockbuster is certain to be a sure-fire hit of Sydney Festival 2010. As colourful as the streets from where they hail, the cast of 14 men and one woman will explode onto the Concert Hall stage in an adrenaline-fuelled spectacle of life, love and the Brazilian way.
Sydney Opera House Chief Executive Richard Evans said the ever-growing popularity of dance would make Balé de Rua the ideal show for January. "Hot on the heels of our recent Spring Dance festival which saw the entire precinct come alive with dance, Balé de Rua brings the moves, music and magic of Rio's Carnivale to the Concert Hall. What better way to experience Sydney in the summer?" Mr Evans said. Choreographed by Marco Antônio Garcia, a self taught dancer, in collaboration with the French director Paul Desveaux, Balé de Rua (Street Ballet) traces the country’s history from its African roots to contemporary Brazil. Garcia’s invigorating and breathless choreography is an awe-inspiring display of athleticism and raw energy – you’ll be hard pressed to find a more sculpted human body. Along with original music and traditional melodies, the dancers create a blaze of percussion live on stage in a carnivalé celebration of breaks and beats. Influenced by the daily life of the dancers, most of whom survived by doing odd jobs in the favelas of Brazil’s big cities, Balé de Rua represents the cultural melting pot of Brazil. Seamlessly creating worlds of slavery, grief, joy and liberation, this group of friends paint the world anew in glorious technicolour, thanks to the magic of dreams and dance. Discovered at Lyon’s Biennale de la Danse in 2002, Balé de Rua will make its Australian debut following triumphant performances at London’s Barbican Centre and Edinburgh Fringe Festival where the company picked up a Herald Angel Award. Fernando Narduchi, Marco Antônio Garcia and José Marciel Silva created Cia de Danca Balé de Rua in 1992 after discovering a shared passion for an urban style of dance but with a marked Brazilian identity.
The company, which provides dance training to young people from all over the working class districts of Uberlandia in central Brazil, opened its own cultural centre in 2007 with funding from the Brazilian Ministry of Culture. Dynamic percussion and breathless body movements ensure this exhilarating and sensual street ballet will have audiences dancing on their seats.
“Stunning…if only I’d have a sixth star at my disposal.” The Scotsman
SEASON DETAILS
Dates: 8 – 17 January 2010 Times: 8, 10 11, 13, 14, 15 Jan 8pm, 9 Jan 2pm, 16 & 17 Jan 2pm & 8pm
Venue: Concert Hall
Tickets: Premium $99, A Reserve $79/$69 B Reserve $69/$59, C Reserve $59/$49
Duration: 70 minutes
Bookings: 9250 7777 or sydneyoperahouse.com
Media Contact: Nathan McIlroy, Senior Publicist, Sydney Opera House
T: 02 9250 7596 M: 0434 146 121 E: nmcilroy@sydneyoperahouse.com
Source: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/Templates/Common/ContentPage.aspx?id=21361&LangType=3081&ekfxmen_noscript=1&ekfxmensel=e0fa05764_102_419
Warriors of Brazil
This sexy, stylish and athletic showcase of Brazilian dance, martial arts and soul comes straight from the slums to you.
When: 19 - 23 January 2010
Where: Theatre Royal
Tickets: 1300 795 012 Ticketek
The dangerous favelas or shantytowns of Brazil have bred some breathtaking artists in recent years. Who can forget the passions displayed on screen in the 2002 film City of God or the brilliant electro-punk rhythms of Cansei de Ser Sexy aka CSS?
The latest cab off the South American rank is Warriors of Brazil, a spectacular stage show fusing the inspirational martial art of Capoeira with the spirit and sensuality of Carnival. Capoeira reputedly originated in the 17th century among African slaves transported to Brazil, as a fighting style designed for rebellion but disguised as dance so as not to alert their masters. It's a demanding but beautiful sport, and is admirably performed by the super-fit young men of Warriors of Brazil, each of whom has escaped from a world of gang warfare in the ghettos of Salvador de Bahia, the former epicentre of the African slave trade, thanks to a social development program designed to reduce crime through art. Collectively, they are masters of Capoeira, and are captivating audiences around the world while simultaneously spreading a message of hope for Brazilian youth. Joining them on stage are the singers, dancers and percussionists of Rhythm Carnival, hailing from the favela of Candeal, which famously saved its young people from a life of violence by encouraging them to trade their weapons for musical instruments. Transforming the pain of their past into a fierce and wild beauty, the muscular energy and precision of this vivid and athletic show will have you gaping in awe as the performers back flip, kick, fly and somersault across the stage, accompanied by the infectious tunes of Rhythm Carnival. A spectacular evening of entertainment that will set your pulse racing.
Richard Watts, Citysearch
Source: http://sydney.citysearch.com.au/arts/1137728329016/Warriors+of+Brazil
