G.R.E.S. Sambão Para O Povo

SF Carnaval 2004 Presentation

"Hearts of Rhythm  - Ritmos do Coração"

In alignment the with the SF Carnaval 2004 theme of Fiesta de Tambores (Festival of the Drums) G.R.E.S. Sambão Para O Povo presents " Hearts of Rhythm" or "Ritmos do Coração".  This year's Enredo, or "theme" song describes the integral relationship between the dancers and the all-important drums.

The song includes lyrics in two languages, with verses being sung alternating between English and Portuguese.  The lyrics profess that the drums are necessary for the dance, and the dance is necessary for the drums.  Using Brazilian Portuguese colloquialisms of "batuque" for rhythm, and "ginga" for the swing of the dance, the song proclaims that the two components are inseparable.  Thus, when the two elements come together, the heart becomes full of rhythm, full of life, and full of love!

The song will be performed in two distinct Brazilian styles of music.  In addition to being reprised as Samba Enredo, typical of the Escolas or Samba Schools of Rio de Janeiro, the same tune will be performed as Samba Reggae commonly used by the Blocos (blocks) in Salvador, Bahia.  While these two forms are not typically mixed in the Carnaval celebrations in Brazil, as a Bay Area samba school, Sambão plays both genres year round.  Thus, the lyrics also describe how both styles are rhythms of our heart.

The parade contingent is lead by the G.R.E.S. Sambão Para O Povo banner followed by the first "ala" (or wing) of dancers known as the Comissão de Frente, the greeting (or front) committee.  Their Rio style traditional bikini costumes depict the "Hearts" element of the theme and emphasize the red color theme (which along with teal form the school colors).  Dancers from this group will also take turns performing on the giant drum pedestals on the float during the parade.

These dancers are followed by the Porta-bandeira (flag bearer) who accompanied by the Mestre-sala, present the school's "crest" on a special flag.  Another group of dancers, with distinctly different costumes follows doing a separate choreography in sync with the theme song.

Directly in front of the Bateria (or drum battery) is the Rainha do Bateria (Queen of the Bateria), a highly energetic dancer charged with providing inspiration for the drummers to play loud and strong.  The regente or director of the bateria leads a group of nearly forty drummers, which provide the "Heart of Rhythm" for the group.

The Sambão float comes next decorated in red and full of drums to reinforce the theme.  In addition to the dancers on the giant drums, the float carries the singers or puxadores that "pull" or drive the bateria with their repetitions of the Enredo lyrics and melody.

Also on the float are the players of the cavaquinho ("ca-va-keen-yoo"), a small Brazilian four-stringed guitar, lead by Luis Dib, who co-wrote the Enredo along with Brad Hamilton, the bateria director.  Behind the float the group's color guard concludes the presentation wearing the school colors and bearing additional G.R.E.S. Sambão Para O Povo ceremonial flags.

G.R.E.S. Sambão Para O Povo is a non-profit [501 (c) 3] corporation dedicated to providing recreational activities by promoting Brazilian music and dance.  The group is lead by President Glenn Evans, Secretary Lisa Ruiz, and Treasurer Ted Syrett.  Sambão is based in Mountain View, CA, and provides music and dance classes all year round on the peninsula in addition to performing at many festivals and shows throughout the SF Bay Area.  For more information or to contact the group, please visit the web site at www.sambao.org.

*[G.R.E.S. = Grêmio Recreotivo Escola do Samba (Recreational Group Samba School)]