New Orleans, Rio or the Gaslamp?

So you want to live it up for Brazil’s annual Carnaval, but don’t have enough moolah to fly down to Rio? Maybe not even enough to take a bus down to New Orleans for Mardi Gras?

Not to worry! Just get your Carnaval duds out of the closet and head to the Gaslamp area of beautiful, downtown San Diego on Saturday, March 1.

There you can dance the night away from 8:30 pm until the early hours of Sunday, all the while enjoying the animating Brazilian rhythms while gaping at the sexy, stunning samba dancers who make Carnaval one of the most exciting celebrations known to mankind.

This year the big show—which will also feature nonstop Brazilian music, capoeira perforances and a batucada style parade around the dance floor—will be held at the Fuse Club, a nightclub located at 379 4^th Avenue. The admission is $25, a lot less than the cost of Flying Down to Rio.

So you’re asking yourself, “What the heck is capoeira and batucada?”

Well, capoeira is a combination of martial arts, dance and acrobatics. The dancers use quick, complex moves to attack their “enemy,” that is, each other. But it’s really more of a dance—all to the rhythm of the berimbau, a single-string percussion instrument. Rather than me trying to explain it, you’d better just go there and find out for yourself!

What about batucada? Now that is a Brazilian style of percussion with a heavy African influence. It is performed by an ensemble and is known by its repetitive style and fast pace. Check it out on this youtube site: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWDIsmM8Iyw

Put it all together and you have New Orleans' and Brazil’s great pre-lenten celebration before the tough days of Lent begin. Of course, It’s quite a bit flashier in New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro, where the festivities last from the Saturday before Ash Wednesday until Ash Wednesday itself.

But Carnaval/Mardi Gras in San Diego is almost as much fun, so get on down to the Gaslamp,  feast your eyes on those lovely Brazilian Samba Queens and dance up a storm! 

For more information, visit this website: http://www.brazilcarnival.com/

Noir Film or Film Noir

So where do you suppose one of the oldest and largest Black Film Festival is held each year?

Hollywood? New York City? Maybe way over there on the French Riviera, in Cannes?

Give up? The answer is right here in beautiful, downtown San Diego!

Launched 12 years ago as the Noir Film Festival, with the presentation of three films, the festival will run this year from January 30 to February 2 and will feature more than 100 films!

The San Diego Black Film Festival—as it is now known—started off in a hotel room in the Gaslamp area. The organizers changed the name shortly after it was launched because they were afraid folks would confuse “Noir Film” with “Film Noir,” those wonderful, old Hollywood crime movies with Humphrey Bogart, Robert Mitchum or Edward G. Robinson.

Festival organizers have adopted the motto: “Spotlight on African American and African Diaspora Cinema.”

The festival will kick off at 6 pm Thursday, January 30 with a reception in the Reading Theater, on the corner of 5^th and G. The opening centerpiece film will start showing at 7:30 pm.

This year’s opening film will be Tula The Revolt, a 100-minute film from the Netherlands/Netherlands Antilles, directed by Jeroen Leinders and starring Danny Glover and Obi Abili. The film recounts a slave revolt led by Tula, which frees the slaves on the island of Curacao.

Flicks from all corners of the filmmaking world will be featured during this year’s festival..

There will be evening films the next day, Friday, then films all day long on Saturday, ending with an awards dinner and gala starting at 8pm at the nearby Hard Rock Hotel.

Saturday will also feature panel discussions, filmmakers Meet and Greet and a Red Carpet Arrivals and Reception just before the Awards Dinner.

There will be a closing brunch on Sunday at 9:30 am, with closing films shown from 11am to 2pm.

The box office this year will be located at the Reading Theater, at 701 5^th Avenue. Horton Plaza offers three hours free parking with validation, but you can also take the trolley or bus instead—especially if you plan to hang around for more than three hours. That way, you can catch several films or maybe even get an autograph or two from some of the famous movie stars who are sure to show up for the festival.

Dancing in the Park

Hey want to learn how to dance the Foxtrot or the Salsa? Better yet, what about that dance that Johann Strauss made famous? You know, the one they dance over in Vienna. That’s right, the Viennese Waltz!

Well there are a bunch of folks who want to teach you, and you don’t have to go any further than San Diego’s beautiful and famous Balboa Park. You don’t even have to have a partner. It won’t cost you a fortune, either.

How about $5 to learn two different dance styles--$3 if you become a member of the Balboa Park Dancers. The annual membership fee is only $20.

The group meets weekly on Friday and Sunday nights at the historic Balboa Park Club.

The instructors teach group lessons with three levels of instruction: beginning, intermediate and advanced. Depending on the month, they usually pair up a standard ballroom dance and one rhythm or Latin American dance step.

In February, though, they will be teaching both the Tango and the Cha Cha Cha. If you want to learn that Waltz, you’ll have to wait until May, when it will be paired up with the Slow Two Step.

Other dances during the year will include Swing, Rumba, the Quickstep and several other dances.

The second Friday of each month is usually party night, with only one dance step being taught. With the second Friday in February falling on February 14, that’s going to make for a very special Valentine’s Day!

Sometimes the party night even includes live music.

The doors open on both Friday and Sunday nights at 6:45 pm.

So, come one, come all. With a partner or without a partner. Guys who weren’t exactly the stars at their high school proms or pros who just want to have a good time.

By the way, the Club recommends low heels, closed toe and closed heel shoes, and they advertise “a huge hardwood dance floor for learning and improving dance skills.”

If you have an email account and want more information, send an email to bpballroomdancers@gmail.com.

Meanwhile, have a blast!