A weekend of Brazilian and Cuban percussion, singing & dance workshops culminating in a costumed carnival parade at Mintfest, Kendal's international festival of street arts, Friday 3 September to Sunday 5 September 2010.  www.lakesalive.org/events/mintfest

As part of the new Mintfest International Summer School for Street Arts, One Voice Music (www.ovm.co.uk) will be running a weekend of workshops for dancers, drummers and singers to develop their skills in the rhythms and grooves found in AfroBrazilian and AfroCuban culture. 

"The percussion grooves are colourful & melodic and played on Brazilian carnival instruments such as surdos, repiniques, snares, tamborims, bells, shakers and timbas. The choreography, arranged to fit the music, draws on different aspects of traditional and modern dance from Brazil."

Edun Ara, Bloco de Carnaval is a project that reflects the African heritage of Brazil and Cuba. Each year, the project presents a piece in honour of a particular deity common to Afrobrazilian and Afrocuban traditions. This year's theme is in honour of Omolu (Brazil) and Babalu Aye (Cuba) who represent wisdom and courage and protect against disease on Earth. 

Participants need to have some experience in percussion or dance and will need to bring their own instruments. Workshops will begin on Friday evening (Sept 3) at approximately 7pm and run through the weekend to culminate in a costumed parade by all participants for the close of Sunday's street festival. The weekend will finish at approximately 7pm Sunday evening and there will also be plenty of time to enjoy the festival and see some wonderful shows.

For further information click here. For costs and booking information, please see below. For further information about the Edun Ara project please visit: www.edunara.co.uk

Get a taste of what you're in for here! And see photos of previous performances here.

BOOKING INFORMATION: 

EDUN ARA, BLOCO DE CARNAVAL at Mintfest: FRIDAY 3 SEPTEMBER TO SUNDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2010.

The price for the full weekend of tuition is £20* per person (£12pp concessions). There is an early bird discounted rate of £12pp (£8 concessions) for those who book before Monday 12 July. *Please note this price includes tuition and costume only. It does not include any food or accommodation. 

The closing date for bookings is Friday 20 August 2010.

To download the Edun Ara, Bloco de Carnaval at Mintfest booking form click here