San Francisco Carnaval Ball 2014

Carnaval Ball 2014

Oi Gente,

I love Carnaval!!! The energy of the crowd, the intoxicating music, and the Speedy Gonzales' footwork always puts a smile on my face. This year's Carnaval was not exception.

The San Francisco Carnaval Ball was great and a testament that hard word does pay off. For four hours, Aquarela dancers danced, paraded, and entertained a lively and energetic crowd. No kidding, we danced non-stop the whole night and I loved every minute of it! Click here for a fun video of the night.

Twice a week for the past 2 months, we have rehearsed and danced to some of my new favorite songs. They are cute, sexy, lively, and I below you will find YouTube videos of the songs:
* Ai Se Eu Te Pego by Michael Telo
* Cavalinho Filhos do Sol
* So Vai de Camarote by Groupo Revelacao. By far my favorite! Below, you can see a photo of our outfits.
* Eu Quero Tchu, Eu Quero Tcha by Joao Lucas and Marcelo
* Piradinha by Gariel Valim
* Show das Poderosas by Anitta

 Of course the night was not complete without samba performances. The above songs are great, but nothing compares to the energy and beauty of samba. During the night, we danced (Aquarela video) to amazing samba de enredo and batucada songs and wore various and fabulous bikini costumes. I even painted my nails red to help set off the sambista look!

Beijos and enjoy your week!

If you like my post, please leave a comment below or click on Follow. I love to hear what you think and appreciate your support. 

New Red Back Piece

Oi Gente


I have been dying to show off my new back piece, but things have been crazy with Carnaval related shows, Carnaval Ball preparations, and my awful cold. We have been rehearsing twice a week and workshopping costume and dance ideas for each show, which leaves me little time for other samba things. Regardless, I am still dying to show off the latest addition to my samba costume collection!

One of the first back pieces I have ever made was a large, lotus-leaf, gold and red pack piece. It was beautiful and impressive but the size was cumbersome and the style, after a while, became outdated. After  brainstorming for weeks, I decided to take apart the back piece and use the materials to make a new and elaborate piece.


I started off with metal frames I bought in Rio de Janeiro. The carnaval frame goes on like a backpack and can be molded to fit just right.

Once I had the frame molded to fit my needs, I wrapped it with foam and a thin nylon fabric. The foam serves to cushion and protect the frame against my skin and the fabric helps hold the foam in place. I followed by wrapping the frame with a bright-red strap and secured the ends with hot blue.

To the center of the frame, I added red ostrich feathers and a few pheasant feathers for an extra pop. I then embellished the shoulder straps with swarovski crystals and was done.

The whole process took me four night and now I have a gorgeous back piece to go along with my new bikini. Love it!

Beijos and enjoy your day!

If you like my post, please leave a comment below or click on Follow. I love to hear what you think and appreciate your support. 

Instagram: The conundrum!

To Instagram, or Not to Instagram, that is the Question

For years, I have struggled with the idea of having an Instagram account. Having another social media account to manage and follow just overwhelmed me. Call me old-fashioned but I like an electronic free day.

At the same time, it is all around me. My friends and students rave about it and I can see the social and marketable benefits associated with it.

I finally gave in and signed up for Instagram. I now love it! (Not the idea of having another app on my phone or another account to manage, but all the great photos I see). I follow some of my favorite artist and carnavalescos (carnaval producers).

Below, I have included the names of some of my favorite pasistas (samba dancers) and carnaval lovers:





Facarnavaloficial: Managed by Claudio Medeiros

He uploads the latest and most beautiful Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo carnaval photos.

Laurakelleroficial: Managed by Laura Keller. 

Beautiful pasista and beautiful costumes.

Neguinhasambista: Managed by Neguinha Sambista from Aquarela.
She is a social butterfly, so you are bound to see the latest on SF Bay Brazilian events.

Renatasantosoficial: Managed by Renata Santos. 

She was recently selected the muse of Mangueira samba school in Rio de Janeiro

Evelynbastoss: Managed by Evelyn Bastoss.
She was Mangueira's rainha da bateria (queen of the percussion section)

Dominique425: Managed by Dominique 

 She is one of Aquarela's principal dancers. I simply love following her because of her style and taste. Plus, she follows the best sambistas.  

Giljungoficial: Managed by Gil Jung, an Brazilian bikini line. 

They include great photos of carnaval sambistas and their bikini line. 

K-riocasambashow: Managed by Samba K-Rioca Show. 

They include photos from their latest events, so you are bound to see photos of Brazilian bands, sambistas, and promoters.

Graoficial: Managed by Gracyanne Barbosa. 

She is a Brazilian fitness model and pasista. Unlike the above, Gracyanne includes loads of videos. 

Caju93: Managed by yours truly 

I'm new to the Instagram game, but I enjoy following and posting anything related to samba.

Beijos and enjoy your week!

If you like my post, please leave a comment below or click on Follow. I love to hear what you think and appreciate your support. 

Brown rice and Broccoli

As a samba dancer, I have come to accept that physical appearance is just as important as my dance abilities. Really, think about it. When performing, one is not just showing off one's dance moves;  the dancer is also living up to the expectations of the audience. Thus, when out on the dance floor, I must live up to the image of the perfect samba dancer, an Amazon-looking lady who is fit, tanned, stylish, and looks great in a g-sting. Needless to say, this is not always easy, especially when I open another can of condensed milk.

To keep me motivated, I follow my "Brown rice and Broccoli" mantra. Let me explain. Before retiring, Maria Sousa, the founder of Aquarela, would attend rehearsals regularly, give us constructive criticisms, and gently say, "The Carnaval Ball is coming. So brown rice and broccoli for everyone." We always smiled but were aware that the smack down had to begin.

Unfortunately, denying myself of any food has never worked for me. Like a moth to a flame, I instantly gravitate and want what I can't have. The minute I vow to never eat red meat or open a can of condensed milk, I find myself with a plate full of churrasco or brigadeiro. I just can't do it! So, I turned "Brown rice and broccoli" into a mantra reminding me to exercise, eat right, and stay healthy.

Brown Rice and Broccoli Routines and Habits:

Rehearsal time with Dominique

After dinner and when the hustle and bustle of begin a mom is all over, I walk or job on my treadmill for 30 minutes 3-4 times a week (The number of days depends on the number of rehearsal days). The exercise clears my mind, makes me a happier person (Really, I feel positive and energized the next day), and keeps me in shape. If I miss a day, I get upset, for I really really enjoy those 30 minutes of me, Netflix, and treadmill time.

As for my eating habits, I try to follow the French. Why not? They eat cheese, bread, and wine like it's going out of style and still manage to say in shape. So like the French, I eat 4 times a day: I have breakfast, lunch, snack (usually a cup of coffee with a pastry), and dinner. On the weekends and only on the weekends do I enjoy a can of condensed milk poured over fruits, yogurt, or plain (usually the latter!). I also make a point of sitting down when eating (This can be a huge challenge when my little munchkins are around). By putting my food on a plate and sitting down, I become more conscious of what I eat and how much I am eating.

It took me a while to establish healthy habits and routines, but I am glad I did. Somehow, it all works for me and keeps me sane, happy, healthy and fit.

Beijos and enjoy your week!

If you like my post, please leave a comment below or click on Follow. I love to hear what you think and appreciate your support. 

Costume TLC

I love dancing, and much like teaching, it is something I was born to do. There is nothing like putting on a beautiful costume, stepping on stage, and performing your best dance moves. LOVE IT!

For me, a costume is a huge part of dancing. When I put on a carnaval bikini and step on stage, I transform into my alter ego, Jessica (I secretly love the name and often use it at Starbuck's). For the past few year, however, I have not been very kind to my costumes. In fact, I completely neglected them. Remember, I became a mom and was working on a master's degree. Costumes, unfortunately, were the last thing on my mind.

Needless to say, my costumes are now a hot, outdated mess. I have mismatched and incomplete outfits, dilapidated backpacks, and featherless hats. It's not pretty and it's beyond sad.

Now that I'm near the end of my master's, I have decided to fix my costumes and get back to costume making and dancing.




To begin, I'm fixing up my black samba bikini. I love the hat but know that the bikini needs major help.






Wish me luck!

Bra and boot covers in serious need of a little TLC.

 

Best Carnaval Roles

As Brazilians like to say, New Year's Eve is the first cry of Carnaval. From January until the day of the parade, Canavalescos, Carnaval participants, rehearse, work on tan lines, and get ready for the special day. It is, after all, one of the largest competitions in Rio de Janeiro. The winning samba school not only gets the prestige of being the best samba school in Rio but also a significant cash prize.

But really, what is Carnaval without the amazing costumes? Below are photos of my favorite outfits and roles.

Porta Bandeira and Mestre de Sala. This is one of the most prestigious positions a samba school member can have. PB and MdS have the honor of carrying the school's flag, and unlike other parade members, there is only one male and one female PB and MdS for the whole school. The coveted position is often passed down from generation to generation, staying within the family for years.

Madrinha da Bateria (Godmother of the Band). The MdB holds one of the most glamorous positions in a samba school. Throughout the parade, she marches down the Sambodromo, the designated parade street, in front of the band. Her job, in addition to looking fab, is to excite the crown and dance her ass off. Since all eyes are on her, the pressure is on to look amazing in ever way.

Baianas. I love the role of the baianas. Normally, B are older women who have been members of the samba school for years. They are dedicated members who, behind the scenes, do most of the sewing and costume making for other members. Though the costumes are typically long skirts, each year, costume designer incorporate new designs, colors, and accessories that make the costume beautiful and glamorous.

Globeleza. Yeas ago, Globo, Brazil's top television network, began hosting competitions in search of someone who would serve as the face of Carnaval. For 10 years, Valeria Valencia held the position. Today, Globo hosts a yearly competition to find the right woman. She, in nothing but body paint, appears in commercials that promote the parade and remind me why I need to eat more brown rice and broccoli.

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