Evento

Chico Simões: Mamulengo Puppets and Minas Music

Please join us for a very special evening of performance and music from Brazil.

Mamulengo is a puppet tradition from northeastern Brazil. It is connectied to European puppet genres and weaves in African and indigenous elements to make a thoroughly Brazilian art form. Among its primary characters is the trickster figure Benedito the Vaquiero, a cowboy, who bests a series of opponents, the mythological bull Bumba-meu-boi and human adversaries who just might symbolize the forces arrayed against common people throughout history.

Take the Brazilian and American roots sounds of Blues and Choro, the subtle coolness of a Bossa Nova pulse, upbeat Sambas elaborated with instrumental jazz improvisation, scat singing and whimsical whistling and you have Minas. Their sound is defined by the unique blend between Orlando and Patricia Haddads vocals and the interaction of classical guitar and cool jazz piano. Capturing the essence of great songwriting with memorable melodies, inventive harmonies, and poetic lyrics, the music of Minas is engaging and timeless.