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

E Carnaval, e samba a noite inteira!!!

Every year, we face old and new Carnaval challenges. This year's parade is not exception. With the Brazilian Carnaval (organized by Friends of Brazil) happening in March, the San Francisco Carnaval parade was put in the back burner until the beginning of April. As a result, we rushed to organize and set up the contingents, costumes, float, sound system, and stage show. To complicate matters, we also decided to parade with 2 other amazing groups organized by Conceicao Damasceno and Jorge Alabe. However, it has all been worth it.

With one night left before the parade, we have managed to again overcome adversities and make this another unforgettable parade. Without a doubt, tomorrow George Alabe will bring the crowd to their feet with a live bateria and Rene Flores will sing one of my favorite songs--"Verde e Rosa." Best of all, we have an amazing contingent. As my hubby pointed out, "They are a good looking group of people." Check out the photos!


Special thanks to:
Maria Souza for getting us a great float and working hard to make this a great parade.
Silvana Sousa for a fabulous choreography and working hard to make this a great parade.
Akiva Anders for helping with rehearsals and working hard to make this a great parade.
Molly Shannon for helping with rehearsals and working hard to make this a great parade.

Axe!

Just a Few More Days

It has not been a easy month but I'm near the end of all the chaos!
Finals...check
grades...almost
carnaval parade...4 days
costume for the parade...almost done
Birth of Micaela's baby...less than 1 month

With so much going on, I have not had time for my blog, which saddens me since I like regularly writing down my ideas and feelings. However, life will be back to normal is just a few days. By next week, I will have all of my school work done and will be able to concentrate on dance classes, family, friends, samba, and costumes. I can't wait!

Possible parade costume: Hot pink with hot pink legs.
By the way, I love the way Molly's bra reflects the lights and in turn bring attention to her boobs--too funny!

Ice-Skating Belt

May has always been a challenging month for me. When in college, I was overwhelmed with exams and essays. As a teacher, I'm bombarded by last minute lessons, projects, exams, and essays. As a dancer, I am challenged with last minute Carnaval parade costumes, choreographies, and set-up. But family and friends serve as pleasant distractions that add on to the excitement of May.

With my niece's birthday falling in May (right around Carnaval), I decided to make her 1st samba costume! Knowing she is a great ice-skater and a ballerina at heart, I decided to call her costume an Ice-Skating Belt. Little did I know that the belt would serve many purposes. In addition to being a belt, it also functions as a crown, and she occasionally uses it to ward off her big brother (I believe it is such an affective tool that police officers are now thinking of using it instead of the Taser gun :) ). Needless to say, she loves the ice-skating belt.

Check out the pictures:

Carnaval Parade: Countdown Begins

San Francisco Carnaval Parade 2007. My year as the queen of carnaval. I had fun this year.


San Francisco Carnaval Parade 2009. I was 8 months pregnant with my little Camila.

We now begin the countdown for this year's San Francisco Carnaval parade! With less than a month to go, my group is now scrambling to get costumes done, decorated floats ordered, sound systems reserved, and participants excited.

With so much to do, I almost don't know where to start and the stress makes me want to shut down. If only I have a magic wand, I could conjure up a gorgeous hot pink costume to match the well-designed, colorful, and large float that I would also conjure up. But the show must go on! Thus, I will probably spend the next few weeks mustering up courage to work on my costume and eventually produce something that not only I love but will also make this year's Carnaval parade special and unforgettable.

Feliz Carnaval!

Rehearsals

As anyone in a dance group knows, there is a great deal of prep work before a show. Dancers work on costumes, lighting needs to be arranged, choreographic need to be created, and rehearsals need to take place. Yes, rehearsals!!!

Every Thursday, my group meets for its weekly rehearsal. It is during our meeting that we learn the latest choreographies, review old choreographies, prepare for shows, and more. However, it is during rehearsals that I am reminded of the care and love I have for my group members. It was during rehearsal that I told my best friends of my pregnancy and the purchase of my new home. In between choreographies, a fellow dancer and friend explained the process of raising chickens in her own backyard (She lives in Berkeley, so raising chickens is acceptable and encouraged!). To us, rehearsal is a time during the week, in which we as friends share the triumphs, struggles, and make our busy lives more enjoyable.

In many ways rehearsal is like happy hour at a bar. Though we don't have drinks to inspire us to open up and share, we have loud music and a whole lot of energy!

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.