VIVER BRASIL Residency Activities Exploring Dance, Music, Anthropology, African and Latin American Studies, and Ethnology through the music, movement, and culture of Afro-Brazilians. Most classes/workshops can be designed for Dance Students, General Public/Community Events, Youth and Seniors In doing this work, Viver Brasil will use traditional forms which include orixá dance movement, samba de roda (circle samba), and maracatu (processional); as well as contemporary styles which include samba reggae/samba afro (carnival forms), and contemporary Afro-Brazilian dance. The forms allow broad accessibility for people of various skills and abilities and the participation of students in culmination activities that include costuming and live music. Master Classes Samba Dance Class: Viver Brasil will conduct a samba class that includes the popular samba de roda [circle samba]. Also included is samba reggae and samba afro carnival dances–street, stage, and processional dances of Bahian Carnival which blend samba, orixá dance movement, and homegrown movements created in the 1970s, celebrating Afro- Brazilian political and cultural strengths. Open to all ages and levels of ability. Afro-Brazilian Dance Class: Class focuses on the traditional and contemporary Afro- Brazilian dances from the northeastern state of Bahia. Orixá dance movement and gestures provide the foundation of Afro-Brazilian dance vocabulary and will include elements of the Silvestre technique. Classes can also include folkloric dances and their call and response songs and samba de roda, Brazil’s most popular dance form as well as Bahian Carnival dances such as samba reggae and samba afro and afro- contemporary dances created in the 1970s celebrating Afro-Brazilian political and cultural strength and blending ritual, folkloric, technique, and homegrown Bahian movements. This is a class that can be tailored toward any level. Afro-Brazilian Percussion Class: Class will focus on traditional Ketu and Angolan Candomblé rhythms with accompanying chants; variations of sambas and contemporary carnival rhythms such as samba reggae and samba afro. Instruments include: congas, djembes, surdos, repiniques, timbaus and pandeiros. Open to all ages and levels of ability. Dances of the African Diaspora and Contemporary Dance Techniques: Class in forms including Haitian and West African dance, Silvestre Technique, Dunham Technique, Lewitzky, Afro-Latin, Latin Jazz, and Hip-Hop. Viver Brasil company members are trained in an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary dance techniques, embellishing their refined Afro-Brazilian dance technique. Capoeira Class: Introduction to capoeira, Brazil’s martial art/dance form. Class emphasizes both Angola and regional styles of capoeira, introduces participants to the VIVER BRASIL / 323-465-4762 / [email protected] Page 1 of 2 VIVER BRASIL Residency Activities principal instrument of capoeira, the berimbau and teaches songs that accompany capoeira movement. Open to all ages and levels of ability. Afro-Brazilian Dance Fitness: Discover VB's unique blend of fitness, mixing high intensity Afro-Brazilian dance styles, such as samba de roda ( circle samba) and orixá dance movement for cardio, with spurts of body conditioning exercises for toning which yields an exciting total body workout that keeps you on your toes. Ages 10 and up. School Performances Students see excerpts of current touring show, with narration for appropriate grade level, plus participatory dancing and drumming workshop on stage. School performances can include a post-performance talk with the company members tailored to appropriate age level. Long and Short Term Residencies for K-12 Viver Brasil can also provide in school, 3-10 day residencies. Viver Brasil’s team systematically interweaves dance movement with mathematics (counting and geometry), critical thinking (problem solving), social studies (the cultural origins of Afro-Brazilian dance movement and music) and language arts (writing stories). Residencies can include all or some of the activities listed under Master Class. Long and Short Term Residencies for Colleges and Universities Viver Brasil can provide a variety of residency opportunities for students in higher education to train in Afro-Brazilian traditional and contemporary dance with the company’s directors, choreographers and principal company members. Unique performance activities can include recreating a public procession inspired by Bahian carnival; setting choreography on student ensembles; and engaging in discussions about social justice movements, race relations and artistic trends within Afro-Brazilian culture. Pre and Post Performance Talks Join Viver Brasil for a fascinating behind the scenes pre-performance discussion led by Artistic Director Linda Yudin or join the company members for a lively post performance talk. Lectures on Afro-Brazilian Dance and Music Culture Class focuses on topics such as: 1. The role of the Candomblé orixá cosmology as artistic inspiration in Afro-Brazilian dance culture and performance. 2. History of Bahian Carnival from 1970-1990 and 3. The development of new Afro-Brazilian dance and music forms such as samba reggae rising out of the Black Consciousness movement. VIVER BRASIL / 323-465-4762 / [email protected] Page 2 of 2 .