WOMAD

Samba Parade

From Australia

In one long musical line, stretching about a half a kilometre, WOMADelaide's annual Sunday sunset parade. The Samba theme of the 2008 Parade was so popular it will be repeated in 2009, but for the first time, when the Parade is on, all seven stages at the festival will be quiet. The dazzling procession is likely to feature more than 800 children and parents marching and dancing their way to a pulsating Samba beat as they wind their way around Botanic Park.

Fifty drummers, selected by Musical Directors Joel Prime and Ben Todd - two of Adelaide's most exciting young percussionists - will lead the Samba Parade. Joel Prime says it's a pleasure to be involved musically in WOMADelaide. "I've been every year since it started and there's such a fantastic atmosphere in the park. The festival has inspired me as a musician and introduced me to many different styles of music. After getting so much out of WOMADelaide, it's great that I can now contribute my own ideas." he says.

"Ben and I have chosen a fast paced, energetic style of Samba called Batucada, which is traditionally performed by mass percussion ensembles in street parades, so it will suit the Samba Parade perfectly. With 50 drummers fuelling the groove, it will be a huge, full sound, creating an irresistible party atmosphere made for dancing."

Participants in the Parade will wear their own Samba-inspired costumes created under the guidance of Melbourne artist, Amanda King. Throughout the three days of the festival, children are invited to take part in free workshops hosted by King in KidZone, where they can learn how to make a Samba-themed outfit or item to carry, using bright and shiny colours and lots of recycled materials.

Amanda King has produced parades and installations for festivals throughout Australia, and many locations around the world, including USA, India, Dubai and with WOMAD in Spain, Singapore and the UK. From the Tram Jatra Festival in Calcutta to the Big Dingo at Melbourne's Commonwealth Games, crowd participation has been the key to the success of her visually dynamic projects.

At 6pm, WOMADelaide's mini-Samba Kings and Samba Queens will start the 20-minute parade, following the percussionists, BDA dancers as they snake their way around Botanic Park. Whether participating or watching the parade, the beaming smiles on the faces of the children and adults involved show why this has become one of the off-stage highlights for the young and the young-at-heart at WOMADelaide.