Maria Souza: A Dancer, Friend, and Teacher

Maria Souza: queen of Carnaval and Aquarela's founder, manager, and dancer. Around the holiday season, Aquarela begins preparing for the San Francisco Carnaval Ball. We brainstorm costume ideas, rehearse old and new choreographies, and begin our beauty regime—brown rice and broccoli--tasty! For us, the SF Ball is one of the top shows of the year and we LOVE it!!

However, this coming ball is going to be very different for me. Since I am currently in grad school and pregnant, I have not attended rehearsals. I’m out of the loop and I hate it because rehearsals are more than just a time to dance and rehearse. It’s my time to bond with some of my closest friends.

Aquarela is like a second family with Maria Souza as the mother. For the past 25 years, Maria Souza has led Aquarela Dance Ensemble. During this time, she has been a fellow dancer, friend, critic, and mother. She taught me how to dance, make costumes, and build the confidence that I have today. In simple terms, Maria has been one of the most important people in my life. She truly is an amazing woman.

To show my gratitude, I've included some of Aquarela's best moments?

The beginning. Warning! The costumes are outdated but still fabulous. Plus, Maria's white feather costume is to die for.

Carnaval Parade

Silvana: Choreographer, organizer, dancer, and friend. Micaela: Organizer, dancer, and friend. Akiva: Organizer, dancer, and friend.
Dominique: Dancer, friend, and the baby of the group :)
Molly: Dancer, friend, and clown. Yes, a professional clown!

2011 San Francisco Carnaval Parade

The 2011 San Francisco Carnaval Parade is now a bitter-sweet memory.

Let me begin with the bitter:
It began at 7 :30 am when my very pregnant best-friend announced she would not be parading today. After parading together for 14 year, she would not...be...present. The news instantly broke my spirit and brought tears to my eyes, but I tried to overcome it and move on. However, later we were faced with technical difficulties involving the band and sound system. Those on the float and beyond could not hear the band that marched 20 feet ahead. Now tell me, how can any dance group perform when they can't hear the music? Lastly and the straw that broke the camel's back, metaphorically speaking, was the conduct of a fellow dancer. Her bad mood and unkind behavior left me disappointed and despondent. Carnaval, after all, is a joyous occasion in which participants show off their talent, bring pleasure and entertainment to the crowd, and simply have a great time--fun time. Bad moods and unkind behavior is not allowed. In fact, if you look closely at the San Francisco Carnaval Parade rule book, it clearly states that unpleasant and disagreeable behaviors are not allowed within 20' of the parade--really! But enough about the bitter.

Let me end with the sweet:
I looked fabulous! Of course, it was with the help of friends. For one, Dominique lent me a fabulous hot pink bikini and gloves to match my head and shoulder piece. She was also my chauffeur; I love when I don't have to drive. During the parade, Akiva consoled me (remember that my best-friend and partner in crime was not parading). Her kind words and carrying gestures brought my spirits up, allowing me to dance my ass off. At the end of the parade, I was pleasantly surprised to see that my feet did not hurt--always, always a plus--and in the afternoon, I had a great cup of coffee and closed the parade day with a great stage performance; I know it was great because other dancers (audience members) were clapping and smiling. In many ways, the parade was a great success.

Here are the pictures!
Maria Souza, director and founder of Aquarela
Me and my family
The amazing band
Silvana Sousa, choreographer of Aquarela

Aquarela's 25th Anniversary

Malandro Choreography. This was a fun choreography that I hope we use again!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VshvERlPKHY&feature=player_embedded


Without a doubt, last night was one of the most meaningful performances of my dance career. Together with some of the San Francisco Bay Area's best samba dancers, we celebrated Aquarela's 25th anniversary. Past and current Aquarela dancers came to pay homage to Maria Sousa, founder of Aquarela, and to celebrate the group's success.

It was during our last performance that I was once again reminded of the love and care I have for Aquarela and its dancers. For the past 14 years with their help and support, I have performed, grown, and thrived as a person and dancer. During my time with Aquarela, I became San Francisco's Carnaval Queen, married an amazing man, had my first child, began my career as a high school teacher, and made lasting friendships. All was done with the support and encouragement of my Aquarela family and last night was the culmination of my 14 years with them.

The men and women with whom I've had the pleasure of performing have become a second family to me. I truly am blessed to have them in my life and know that I'm a better person because of them...Thank you Aquarela.