Thank you to our first Kickstarter supporters!

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BooBrasil

Our 4th of July Parade Kickstarter has been up for only 3 days and we are already over 20% to our goal! Thank you to everyone who has donated to help make our 4th of July Parade a reality so far – we are so grateful for your support. Please consider donating to our cause, or spread the word if you can by sharing our Kickstarter link and our Kickstarter event on Facebook. The Kickstarter closes at 10 AM on Saturday June 7th, so act before it is too late!!!

Extra special thanks to those who have contributed so far:

  • Ed Brann
  • Jim Holland
  • Peter Korajczyk
  • Callan Lamb
  • Jessica Anzaldua
  • Nathan Cornish
  • John Beard

Help us launch our 4th of July Parade on Kickstarter!

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rainhadebateria

Hello samba fans! As you all know, our annual 4th of July Spectacular is just around the corner. YOU can help us put on our best parade ever by contributing to our new Kickstarter campaign! We have until June 7 to raise the $3,600 needed for our float materials, parade costumes, and student scholarships to participate in the parade. We’ll even say “thank you!” with some great EEDS swag. Please tell everyone you know, and thanks for the support!

DONATE HERE: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/983784316/evanston-escola-de-samba-4th-of-july-parade

Advanced Bateria Classes Begin May 7 – Register Now!

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Join an intensive 9-week section of dedicated percussionists as we prepare YOU to be part of our 2014 4th of July Spectacular. There is nothing like it!

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The bateria getting ready for our 2013 4th of July Parade. Photo by Laura Hamm.

 

ADVANCED PERFORMANCE BATERIA (9 weeks)
Register here!
Dates: Wednesdays, May 7 to July 2
Time: 6:30 – 8:20 pm
Location: McGaw YMCA, 1000 Grove Street, Skydeck South Room, 2nd Floor, Evanston
Instructor: Reed Flygt
Cost: $160 per person; $100 for students with ID; $75 per additional family member
Description:  In this class students will get an brief introduction to percussion instruments in a bateria group in preparation for for our enormous 4th of July Parade this summer in Evanston. Rehearsals will be nearly 2 hours every week (6:30-8:20 pm). All levels of enthusiasts are encouraged to attend. We are also excited to offer specific scholarships to offset tuition!! If you have any questions simply contact Reed Flygt (reedflygt@gmail.com).

Philip Galinsky visits EEDS

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On Wednesday, for the second time in as many years, EEDS was thrilled to host master sambista and ethnomusicologist Philip Galinsky for an intense three-hour samba percussion workshop. The founder and director of Samba New York, Galinsky is one of the foremost educators of, and authorities on, Brazilian music in the United States.
IMG_20140416_202319An exacting teacher, Galinsky spent time with each and every bateria member to refine their technique, and provide some great pointers. Our bateria definitely improved from his careful attention and energetic teaching. We were thrilled to have him, and we hope he comes back soon!
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EEDS Workshop at Dawes Elementary School

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An important part of EEDS’ mission is engaging community members of all ages and introducing samba to new audiences. Following this mission, on April 14, Zach conducted a percussion workshop at Dawes Elementary School in Evanston. Dawes 4th and 5th graders are currently learning about Brazilian music in their classes in preparation for our spring concert “The Dancing Turtle – a Brazilian Folktale.” The kids will be performing dances, songs, and percussion pieces either from Brazil or inspired by Brazilian music. Zach taught the students both samba-reggae and samba batucada patterns in this workshop. It was many students’ first time ever playing Brazilian music and they loved it! Maybe we have a few new EEDS members in our future!Image

 

Philip Galinsky in Chicago!

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Ladies and Gentlemen!

Philip Galinsky is in the area again!  He will be hosting two open workshops:

  • Monday (14th) night 7-9 pm at Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, 4046 w. Armitage ave in Chicago, IL.
  • Wednesday (16th) night 6-8:45 pm at McGaw YMCA, 1000 Grove street in Evanston, IL.
  • follow the signs to the appropriate room!
  • each class will cover samba batucada fundamentals and breaks!

each workshop is $20.00.  cash please.  bring an instrument if you have one.

e-mail or call Reed for any questions.  (reedflygt@live.com, c-608.434.3173)

cannot wait!

EEDS Luisa Maita Ticket Giveaway

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Class starts tomorrow – join us for a new 5-week session of percussion! To celebrate our new session, we are offering a giveaway for two tickets to the Luisa Maita concert on April 5th at Mayne Stage (1328 W. Morse, Chicago) at 9 PM. Not only does the concert feature Luisa Maita, but also friends of EEDS Silvia Manrique and Luciano Antonio. Luisa Maita is a rising star in Brazilian music so the concert is sure to be a lot of fun.

How to enter? It’s easy, enter the giveaway here on Rafflecopter. You can earn up to 14 entries by completing simple tasks like liking EEDS on Facebook, tweeting about the giveaway, and you can even earn extra points for being enrolled in class. The only requirement is to join our mailing list (if you are already on it – this one’s a freebie!). You can complete as many or as few other entries as you would like. It says you have to log into Rafflecopter, but you just need to enter your name and e-mail so we can contact you if you win.

The contest opens right now, and closes Friday at 11:59 PM, so hurry! The winner will be notified by e-mail and put on the guest list. Tell all your friends!

EEDS’ Next Class Session Begins April 2 – Register Now!

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Join EEDS for our next slate of percussion classes, for children and adults. This is the opportunity for beginners to get started in the EEDS Bateria, or for experienced members to hone their skills. See you all there!

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Photo by Heather Marie.

INTRODUCTION TO BRAZILIAN PERCUSSION (5 weeks)
Register here!
Dates: Wednesdays, April 2 to April 30
Time: 7 – 8:20 pm
Location: McGaw YMCA, 1000 Grove Street, Skydeck South Room, 2nd Floor, Evanston
Instructor: Reed Flygt
Cost: $85 per person; $50 for students with ID; $75 per additional family member
Description:  In this class students will get an introduction to percussion instruments in a bateria group, and learn the basics of each instrument such as caixa, surdo, tamborim and agogo. All levels of enthusiasts are encouraged to attend. If you have any questions simply contact Reed Flygt (reedflygt@gmail.com).

CHILDREN’S BATERIA (5 weeks) – Register here!
Dates: Wednesdays, April 2 to April 30
Time: 6 – 6:50 pm
Location: McGaw YMCA, 1000 Grove Street, Skydeck South Room, 2nd Floor, Evanston
Instructor: Reed Flygt
Cost: $75 per person
Description:  Join Evanston Escola de Samba in a fun and enriching children’s class where we make music and learn about the different instruments of the bateria. The children’s group is open to all children 6 years and up, simply contact Reed Flygt (reedflygt@gmail.com). Parents are encouraged to register as well. The children’s bateria is also composed of current EEDS members.

Carnaval 2014 was a great success! Thank you!

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Thank you all so much! Muito obrigado! Our 2014 Carnaval celebration went off with out a hitch on Saturday! It was so wonderful to see everyone together dancing, singing, playing music and having a wonderful time. Samba knows no borders and we were so happy to bring a little piece of Brazilian Carnaval to Chicago. A big thank you for everyone who attended and helped make Carnaval 2014 such a success! We love you all and hope to see you at another event or class soon! Keep your eyes on our blog and Facebook page in the coming days for updates on our Spring classes as well as info about our 2014 Samba-Enredo.

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Special thanks to.:

  • Our inimitable leaders: Bateria Director Reed Flygt, Executive Director Jessica Anzaldua and Board President Matt Rarey
  • The EEDS Board of Directors and everyone who helped volunteer at the event, special shout-outs to John Beard, Lindsay Fullerton, Carol Greene, Caitlin Andrew, Nilce Landau, Rita Sacay, Priscilla Anzaldua, Rosa Anzaldua, Miles Comiskey, Andrew Green, Peter Korajczyk, Eudald Lerga, Richard Adams, Lane Tech students and parents and everyone who lent a hand!
  • Luis Bermúdez, Amber Mohammed, and everyone at the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center – we know our wonderful partnership is just beginning
  • Heather Marie, for her amazing photos featured on this page, check them all out here.
  • Taste of Brazil Cafe in Oak Park and Whole Foods, our food and beverage sponsors

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EEDS Carnaval 2014 Event Lineup and Online Tickets

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Alô, Comunidade! The EEDS Carnaval 2014 Event at the Segundo Ruiz Belivs Cultural Center (4046 W Armitage, Chicago, Illinois) is less than 2 weeks away, Saturday, March 15th and the lineup is just about set! Even better, you can now purchase tickets online for $15 right here, using a credit card or Paypal. You will then be put on the guest list at the door. You can also buy tickets at the door for $15 cash. If you have any questions or problems with the online ticket purchase, please contact us at evanstonsamba@gmail.com.

You can also RSVP on Facebook, so we can get an idea of who is coming, but in order to get a spot on the guest list and guarantee entry you need to buy a ticket! This event is quickly selling out! We look forward to seeing you there!

Bloco Maximo

Bloco Maximo

Carnaval 2014 Lineup (Doors open at 6:30)

Featuring:

7:30pm Dance class with Edilson Lima, Cristina Grieco, and Ariel Barbick
8 pm The International Capoeira Angola Foundation
8:35 pm Bateria Quilombola
8:50 pm The Evanston Escola de Samba Bateria
9:05 pm Oloboom, The Lane Tech Bateria
9:30 pm Bateria Muito Legal (70+ Bateria)
10:15 pm The Handphibians (Madison, WI)
11:05 pm Surprise
11:20 pm Bloco Maximo
12:05 am Pagode
-And even more to be announced!