20
UWI TODAY
– SUNDAY 14 OCTOBER, 2018
LANGUAGES & LINGUISTICS
Called “AAlma Brasileira”
—The Brazilian Soul —a
spirited concert recently showcased some of the best
of Brazil through samba and bossa nova songs, music,
dance, capoeira and cultural/historical lessons. Held at
Queen’s Hall, Port-of-Spain on Thursday, September
6, the concert raised awareness of the disciplines of
Portuguese and Brazilian Studies atThe UWI by using
the academic training of members of the Department
to teach some Portuguese to the cast and crew, most
of whom were meeting the language for the first time.
It was the second outreach concert of this kind,
the first having been held in 2016 to
celebrate 100 Years of Samba and 194
Years of Brazilian Independence. The
2018 editionwas evenmore spectacular
than the first, with a larger, more diverse
cast and the blessings of the Embassy
of Brazil.
Conceptualised by Sean Samad
(PhD Candidate in Cultural Studies)
andHeatherMac Intosh-Simon (former
national Calypso Queen), both part-
time lecturers in theMinor in Portuguese and Brazilian
Studies programme, the show came off in fine style.
The dynamic lecturers of the Department of Modern
Languages and Linguistics hold a passion for all things
Brazilian and Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking), all
having studied in Brazil. With the coordinator Dr
Jo-Anne Ferreira, the team was delighted to have the
support of sister Department of Creative and Festival
Arts (DCFA). Together, the lecturers taught eight
professional adult singers and 21 children.
The team believes in the need to link up with
Brazil, our largest CARICOM neighbour, through a
solid programme of language and culture learning and
teaching. The Minor in Brazilian Studies opens up the
colossus that is Brazil to the English-official Caribbean,
and deepens knowledge of the existing commonalities
between the two regions.
The concert’s cast included five national champion
songbirds: Helon Francis (National CalypsoMonarch
2018), Devon Seale (National Calypso Monarch
2016), Heather Mac Intosh (National Calypso
Queen 2002 and 2011), Daniel
Griffith (MusicTT 2017 Showcase
Winner), and Jonathan Simon (2016
National Patriotic Song Competition
Winner). Also performing were singers
Candice Alcantara, Moricia Cagan,
Gerelle Forbes, Karla Gonzales, Kevin
Humphrey, Nigel O’Connor, Juliet
Robin and Sean Samad. The Barataria
Anglican Primary School Choir stole
the hearts of all.The showwas narrated
by Conrad Parris, representing the 196-year old
Brazilian Soul, and young Yasu Riley, who represented
the younger 56-year old Trinidad &Tobago, as the two
got to know each other for the first time.
The band included members of Elan Parlé,
includingMichael LowChewTung (Director), Rodney
Alexander, Richard Joseph and AnthonyWoodroffe Jr,
DCFA lecturer and student, Mikhel Carter and Shea
Sealey,Theron Shaw, and Bahian percussionist, Marcus
Santos, of Latin Percussion and Grooversity.
Celebrating the
Brazilian
Soul
The Barataria Anglican Primary School Choir and Kevin Humphrey sing Preciso Me Encontrar (I Need to Find Myself),
composed by Antonio Candeia (1976).
Gerelle Forbes and
Helon Francis join
voices to sing: É Luxo
Só (It’s Pure Luxury),
composed by Ary
Barroso (1957).
The Confucius Institute
hosted its fifth annual
Confucius Institute Day at JFK Auditorium,
UWI St Augustine on Friday, September 28.
People keen on visiting China could visit a
China tourism booth, while there was lots to
do for the young ones, with a range of crafts
activities including classes on Chinese knot-
making and elementary calligraphy. Many
secondary school students visited, and enjoyed
taking part in Ti Chi Fan exercises, following
an instructor who demonstrated the moves.
For more information on
The Confucius Institute, see:
CONFUCIUS
INSTITUTEDAY
Youngsters got introductory lessons in Chinese calligraphy.
Youth enjoyed Ti Chi Fan exercises.
