We have been hosting Big Fatty for 10 years. The multi-talented Megan Jacobs was booking TEMPLE BAR-Louie and Netty Ryan(owners) loved the idea and SWING BRAZIL Tribe made Temple Bar their home. Fantastic memories have been made ever since the inception of Big Fatty and this year will be no exception. As we enter a new decade,we plan to create more joy,laughter and community-the antidote for these times .We hope you will join us for a night to remember- costumes encouraged-bring old friends and make new ones...the tribe is growing.Let us celebrate life-it is what WE make it!

February-"Big Fatty!" we celebrated Carnaval at Temple Bar. April- Ceremony and Procession for Mami Wata with Mae Maeinha and Babalorixa Paulo at UCLA. May- Global Sound Healing Conference, UCLA Annual Spring Concert with batUCLAcada, Afro-Funke with Rocky Dawani and Cary Sullivan at Zanzibar. July- we co-led the Procession at Dawn for the "Glow Festival". August- many of you joined us in Brazil for a true vision quest. For Greenpeace, "River Cry", a dance ritual for Oxum/Rivers of L.A.. September- "Rhythm of Axe'" with Mae Mainha WFSM, "Honoring the Sea #4" WFSM. November- "Rhythm of Axe" with Dona Cici.

Here's what the official program says- "Join Viver Brasil in a glowing collaboration with Swing Brazil, a sister dance company in the ways of the orixas, as they celebrate life and of the ocean in an early morning procession to honor the beauty of the Afro-Brazilian salty and sweet water spirits. This closing event of Glow will begin at 6:00am on July 20 with chanting and movement instruction for all. At 6:30am, we will proceed to the ocean with live drumming, lively movement and song, creating community spirit and bearing gifts of white and yellow flowers to present to the goddesses Yemanja and Oxum. Meet in Palisades Park near the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Santa Monica Blvd in Santa Monica behind the Visitor's Center. Wear white clothing, and no black, to show respect for the deities."

Thursday May 29,2008
6pm
Free Event!
Fowler Museum(@ UCLA)
FOWLER OUT LOUD Series presents -
batUCLAda with special guests SWING BRAZIL DANCE COMPANYT

Also Thurs. SWING BRAZIL
special guests for AFRO FUNKE 5th. Anniversary Show @Zanzibar(Santa Monica)-10pm

Friday May 30th.
World Music and Dance Spring Concert featuring batUCLAda with SWING BRAZIL DANCE COMPANY
@Schorenberg Hall UCLA Campus
7pmCheck out Sm Free event

The SPLASH! Festival will take place at Wilson Plaza on the UCLA campus by Kaufman Hall and the Fowler Museum. Use Parking Lot 4. The procession will begin at 11:30am. If you want to participate, meet us at the top of the Janss Steps in white clothing at 10:30am to prepare.

Fat Tuesday February 28th 8pm to 2am at Temple Bar, 1026 Wilshire Blvd(at 11th) in Santa Monica. For info call 310 393 6611 or go to www.templebarlive.com


Axe', Vida

Every year has been unique and special but this year promises to out do the past. SambaDa is bringing their vibrant and infectious sounds with the special addition of vocalist Dandara(from Ile Aye). Our brothers of funk and batucada, Delta Nove, will arrive back from their national tour. Alma Da Batucada, the young percussion ensemble, are a year older and playing fiercer(two members just returned from Bahia). This year we have the great fortune of bringing the wonderful Mestre Amen Santo along with his group Capoiera Batuque. He has opened the Brazilian Cultural Center at a new location in Culver City. His group is one of the most authentic and exciting in our country. This year I will be joined by bassist Doug Lunn and musicians from all the groups along with members of Swing Brazil and our dance class. We plan to bring everyone together on the dance floor. We encourage you to take this opportunity to express your dreams and passions. The event starts at 8:30pm. We suggest that you come early or purchase your tickets in advance. It has sold out the last 3 years. I look forward to seeing old and new friends. This night is always one of the highlights of the year for me. Hope to see you there.

All our students from Swing Brazil dance classes, you rocked my world that night. There was so much love in the room, community sharing, and true joy. All the tribes came together in all their spirited beauty to make Carnival happen. There were fabulous costumes of great originality. It was a Carnival for the people and by the people! Thank you for making this event one to remember. I want to thank Louie, Nettie, Cary, Carlos, and all the staff at the Temple Bar for making us so comfortable and giving us a place to call home. The Temple Bar continues to be a bastion for artists during difficult times. Love to you all and keep the joy of Carnival in your heart.

I'm making a personal commitment to be current and update my website regularly. I look forward to working for peace this year and sharing a vision of greater harmony with all of you. This year is Yemanja's year in Brazilian tradition so the themes for this year are peace-making, water issues(how we care for our water supply,etc), and care for children and the elderly. With this in mind, "Water" will be the theme of this year's carnival event, "Big Fatty 4" February 24th @ Temple Bar in Santa Monica. We encourage costumes related to oceans or rivers(Real or Mythical). I would love for people to use their creativity to bring more beauty and fun into life. Let's come together to build positive energy for our community. Hope to see you all soon. There's so much to accomplish and experience in this wonderful new year.

Swing Brazil had the pleasure of creating beautiful piece for "Culture Jam"(the Summer Solstice show at the Electric Lodge, Tessa Hicks prod.) choreographed by Dani Lunn and Ira MacAlliley. Tanya Harry danced Yemanja before leaving for Columbia. A beautiful sight. Haize Hawk, Vida Vierra, Claudio Henrique, Ira and Dani rounded out the cast. We want to aknowledge the talents of the students who danced in "Bring It". What a show!

We had an incredible weekend September 27-28. First, the amazing experience of "Honoring The Sea" sponsored by the "World Festival of Sacred Music". Swing Brazil was out in full force with the return of Ana Laidley, Tschise Aje, Ronald Burton, Ira MacAlliley, Dani Lunn, the students of Swing Brazil, and myself joined by some of the greatest percussionists in LA(led by Bobby Easton) in a Homage to Yemanja is all Her splendor. Everyone was dressed in white except for our beautiful mermaids(dressed in the beautiful colors of the sea). Thousands joined in the celebration which was also filmed as a part of an upcoming documentary on the "World Festival". Stay tuned for details. The following day, Vida Vierra and friends appeared at the Abbot Kinney Street Festival for the sixth time. We were dancing in the streets! I am indebited to the talents and gifts of Jimmy "Dimitri" Mahlis(the greatest guitarist,Period), Eric Gardner(what a gold mine), Giovanna Imbesi(keyboardist extraordinare), and let's not forget Bryon Holley. What would a girl do without a band? Many thanks and respects to Nettie and Louie of the Temple Bar who have given us a home to play and create music. Thank you for making us feel appreciated.

To finish off our year, we participated in a loving and meaningful event titled "Humanity for Peace". Songs of peace were offered and dances were shared. May all beings be free from suffering. A week later, on the Winter Solstice, we were back at the Electric Lodge, our artistic home, to dance and sing the birth of light with a choreography dedicated to Oshun. The Electric Lodge is a haven for artists and the arts in a world that grows increasingly numb. Thank you, Joel, for your courage, determination, and dedication.

I want to personally thank Steve Forman, Laura Forman, Bobby Easton, Betos Gonzoles, and Doug Lunn for the hundreds of hours of drumming they contributed to our dancers. They really are the spine of this dance community.. All honor to the ancestors of the drum. I want to personally thank Ronald Burton, Tanya Harry, Haize Hawks, and Massai for all their contributions and gifts. We look forward to dancing with you again. Ira MacAlliley, Dani Lunn, Anna Laidley, Claudio Henrique, Tschise Aje- thank you for your continuing support and contributions to the students of Swing Brazil. Most of all, I want to thank the students of Swing Brazil who I learn from every time I step on the dance floor. Last, but not least, my teacher and Mentor, Max Jr. who dances in heaven. All Praise and Respect to the Ancestors of the Dance. As Life dances through us as we dance through Life.

AXE', Vida

I'm very honored that Megan Jacobs and the Temple Bar asked me to host this event. I believe that each one of us holds a special piece of the "cosmic puzzle". I'm sure this event will be a special experience knowing the many wonderful people who will be joining together. Let us hold the image of our beautiful planet being surrounded and nurtured by the positive power of our collective creativity. Let us know if you have a special song or creative act that you'd like to offer. It is all of our participation that will create change in the world. The first step is just to show up. Never has John Lennon's song "Imagine" meant more than now. Thank God he "showed up" and wrote it. Remember, YOU are the special person you've been waiting for.

Vida will be performing music from her CD "Woman of the Waters" and new material for her next recording. Delta Nove and 5 Degrees of Soul will follow. Doors open at 8pm. The cover is $7. The Temple Bar is located at 1026 Wilshire Bl.(at 11th) in Santa Monica. For info, call 310 393 6611.

Special guests include Ziriguidum Drum Ensemble, Venice Capoeira, and the Critical Brass Band. World beats provided by DJ Carlos Nino

Spectrum #10-"An evening of exciting, entertaining, contemplative and heartwarming dance...". One block south of Hollywood Bl, one block west of Vine. Saturday 8pm. Sunday 7pm Tickets-$15(pre-sale), $20(at the door)

This is a photo montage of images created by photographer. It also features an alternative mix of "Feel Like Crying". We would like to thank Giovanna Imbesi for her work and vision in the production of this beautiful piece.

Vida and her band will be at the Temple Bar(11th and Wilshire in Santa Monica) Thursday September 27th at 9pm. The cover is $7

They also promoted Vida's "Spirit In Motion" workshop Saturday August 24 from 2-4pm and the bands performance that evening at 8pm at Backstreet Gallery, 11618 Exposition Bl in West LA.

Vida, her band , and the Swing Brazil Dance Company will be giving a special performance as a part of the Jazz Gallery Series promoted by Seven-Degrees Art Gallery and KLON-FM.
Seven-Degrees is located at 891 Laguna Canyon Rd. in Laguna Beach, Calif. There is a Champagne Brunch served at 11am and the band will perform an hour set at noon. Tickets are $65 for adults and $45 for children. For tickets, contact the gallery at 949-376-7967. For more info go to www.seven-degrees.com

A sudden last minute booking- Vida Vierra and her band will be performing Thursday night July 5th at the Temple Bar(1026 Wilshire Bl at 11th in Santa Monica. Music starts at 8:30pm. The cover is $7. Come dance and trance with us. There may be special mystery guests.

Vida will be appearing with her band and Swing Brazil at the El Rey Theatre(5515 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles) Thursday June 14 as part of the Tahara Project Benefit Gala 2001, an evening of multi-cultural dance and music. All proceeds will go to the Tahara Project- a grassroots outreach program to eradicate female genital mutilation worldwide. The evening features some of LA's finest dance artists who are donating their performances for this special event. Doors are at 8pm. Vida will be performing a short set at 10:30. For ticket info call 800-965-4827 or go to www.ticketweb.com

Vida Vierra will be performing with her fabulous band at the Temple Bar in Santa Monica Saturday June 2 @ 9pm. In addition to singing material from her CD, "Woman of the Waters", she will be joined by special guests from the Swing Brazil Dance Company. Prepare for another wild night of ritual frenzy! For info, call 310-393-6611. See you there!

Vida will be performing with the Swing Brazil Dance and Drum Company at the Ivar Theatre in the show "Spectrum/Dance In LA #8 at 8pm on Saturday May 19th. The show features work by dancers and choreographers of divergent styles and backgrounds from all over the LA area. Among other work featured in the concert is a piece by dancer/choreographer Dani Lunn in collaboration with Erin Hirsh. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. The Ivar Theatre is located at 1605 Ivar Ave.(one block South of Hollywood Blvd, one block West of Vine) in Hollywood. Call 310-645-9419. Please come out and support our local dance community!

Vida Vierra and the Swing Brazil Dance & Drum Company will be performing at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. In addition to their own show at the Oasis Tent, they will be joining both Ozomatli and Janes Addiction during their sets on the Main Stage and will be featured performers in the parade and drum cirle that will conclude the day long festival. For more info, check out www.coachella.com. See you there!

Vida taped an edition of "In The Know" featuring dancers Dani Lunn, Erica Woods, and the fabulous Claudio. They we accompanied by percussionists Ricky Laser, Laura Forman, and Doug Lunn. Check local list for the cable station in your area.

Come share an hour of electric, improvisational madness with Doug Lunn(bass), Jimmy Mahlis(guitar), and Brock Avery(drums). This is the core rhythm section on Vida's CD. The cover is a brutal $3! If we twist her arm, I'm sure we can get Vida on stage to sing. Come encourage her. See you there.

We're celebrating Mardi Gras and the release of our new CD, Woman of the Waters, at the same time.

Besides Vida and the band, the party features Swing Brazil Dance & Drum Co., the Super Broke Marching Band, spoken-words artist Tchise Aje, sacred-image artist installations by Marcia Jones, world beats by D.J. Kenro,
M.C. Kimba, Galleria Bahia, and surprise guests.

Come join us at the Temple Bar (see Calendar for details), and "Show us your samba."