Henrique is a Brazilian born singer/ songwriter and artist in Som De Calcada. Sasha is an Australian born dancer/ choreographer and dancer in Sombasha.
In late 2013, the couple, along with their then 11-month-old son, packed up their lives and embarked on a mind altering 7-month study trip to propel their knowledge of Brazilian dance and music culture. From the deeply rooted North East to the buzzing metropolitan of Sao Paulo, they immersed themselves in history and tradition as well as the contemporary. Now back in Brisbane alongside a talented bunch of dancers and musicians, Henrique and Sasha combine their learnings to bring a vibrant show to Australian stages and a new genre to the Australian music scene.
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MongrelBeat is their recent presentation fusing story telling, northeastern Afro-Brazilian music, cultural dance and Australian indigenous elements such as the Didgereedoo. The union of musicians and dancers from all different backgrounds shaped the concept of this show and in playing on the Aussie slang for a mixed bread, MongrelBeat was created. Audiences can expect high-energy rhythms, original music and intoxicating dance.
Frevo is one of the rhythms that hugely inspired Henrique and Sasha. This music genre was formed in the 1900s by army musicians and has a fast marching band feel. The word Frevo comes from the Portuguese word Ferver, which means to boil and is reminiscent of the way dancers react to the music, like they are boiling on the floor! This is a dance with quick footwork that was done by the 'average joe' on the street during carnaval, and as you will see below, the names of popular movements are inspired by every day activities.
Frevo, like most Brazilian dance and music genres, has a deep history with many folklore stories and is only now becoming recognised outside of Pernamubuco, the state in Brazil where frevo was created. Australia has rarely seen this kind of music or dance, until now! Here are some of Henrique and Sasha's favourite Frevo movements:Saci – Brazilian folklore legend about a boy, named Saci, who has one leg who lives in a twister
You stand on one leg and bend the other leg so your ankle sits behind your stand leg knee, like in the shape of a '4'. Now twist your hips side to side like you are doing the twister.{youtube}Q9RHN44crTk{/youtube}
Tesoura - Means scissor
Open legs, jump to land your feet in a crossed position then open again.Cha De Bundinha - Means wedgie
Throw your behind back in a fleeting fashion.Parafuso - Means a screw (as in the tool)
Start in a standing position with legs crossed and bounce weight from left to right leg letting hips twist as if you were screwing your feet in to the ground.
Abre Alas - Means to open the avenue
Start with legs apart and elbows push to sides like you are pushing through a crowd.Sombasha Shows
Sun 20 Sept 3-4pm – Som De Calcada at the Swell Sculpture Festival (Currumbin)Sun 20 Sept 6-7pm – Som De Calcada & Sombashs dancers at the Swell Sculpture Festival (Currumbin)
Sat 31 Oct – Som De Calcada & Sombashs dancers at Island Vibe (Stradbroke Island)
