Brazil On PBS: Black in Latin America with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
One of my favorite things about visiting Brazil is regarding the African influence on the culture. The food, the rythms, the dance the clothing, the lengends; it gives me a truly warm feeling inside. Coming from a Zimbabwean family, these aspects of Brazil bring back fond memories of my childhood experiencing those same things.
Spotlight: Samba Rock Açaí Cafe
A few weeks ago I went to Santa Cruz (California) for the beautiful wedding of my student Sarah. Carl and I were driving to our hotel when I spotted the familiar green and yellow colors. I basically yelled: “Eita, Brazilian place, I am hungry, stop the car!”
Maracatu @ Stern Grove (San Francisco) on Sun, Aug 9
Maracatu is a Brazilian beat from Pernambuco, a state in the Northeast region of Brazil. It is very rich and represents many cultural and historic elements. I won’t attempt to define Maracatu, but I can tell you that it is intense, colorful, and vibrant. The maracatu drums are unbelievable.
