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NEWS

June 28th 2006

‘A General round up’

It’s a wee while since our last update, but the group(s) has literally taken wings this year and has leapt into the stratosphere with activity.
As you may have noticed the samba band has changed it’s name from ‘The Kilkenny Samba Band’ to VISTO um PENA’ – (wear a feather). The name change was prompted by the change in costume in recent times. Lots and Lots of Feathers! (Check out some of the upcoming photos) It also marks a time when the larger carnival group has solidified some of it’s admin structures to ensure smooth running of the group into the future.

We had a kicking start to our parading season, with the band playing in no less than 3 St. Patrick’s Parades in March. Luckily one of those parades was on the Sunday following the day itself. A very energetic VISTO um PENA walked away with the award (And HUGE CUP) for best band in what was a very interesting parade. We are particularly proud, as although this is not our first ever win, it is our first piece of silver wear!! The organisers in Thurles provided a great day, the perpetual cup, and a replica for us to keep. Now that’s what I call organised!

Another first is that VISTO um PENA has been invited to The Drogheda Samba Festival 2006. The small ensemble will play in MacPhails on Friday and Saturday night, and the whole carnival group will be playing in the Parade on Sunday. This is an exciting prospect as many of our members have not been to Ireland’s Premier Latin music festival. For some of us old hacks it is an opportunity to catch up with other old hacks from numerous groups we have worked with in the past.

14th May 2005

CLUB NIGHT ON THE COMEDY WEEKEND

Its all systems go for LATIN RHYTHM RIOT, Rhythmriotmusic & The Kilkenny Samba Band’s first club night in Kilkenny. We are thrilled to our old friends ‘Cachimbo’ afro-Cuban percussion from Drogheda led by Niall Gregory play on the night. Also along for the ride are DJ Pedro and our sound engineer Del T. from ‘Samboeire’ samba school (Sligo)

The night also marks The Kilkenny Samba Band’s first stage performance. We have doubled our rehearsals until the night to ensure we are all happy on stage!
Despite some nerves the group are very excited about playing our first home gig.

In other News Tom spent the weekend up in Cavan studying afro-Cuban music with master drummer Ravin Jayasuriya (One Voice Music) with some of Irelands’ music luminaries.

19th April 2005

A WINNING DEBUT

THE KILKENNY SAMBA BAND walked away as winners of the Best Marching Band category in our first ever Parade! It was no mean achievement considering that with the exception of three of us, the whole group are new to the street music from Brazil.

Following some wardrobe drama in the run up to the day (some headdress materials getting lost in the post) the day went without a hitch.

In other news, some of the band made their way to London to study some Rio-style Samba (Samba Enredo) from carnival 2005 in Brazil. Under the guidance of Jean-Christophe, Gerome B and Barak Schmool the weekend was an intensive but fun one.

Febuary 2005

The KILKENNY SAMBA BAND(working title)takes to the streets of Kilkenny for St Patrick’s Day

Our Fledgling Samba Percussion Group Participates in its first St. Patrick’s Day parade in it’s home city on the 14th March. The 13 or so members have had focused rehearsals for the last 4 weeks on a new piece of Afro-Brazilian piece for the Day.

The Parade also marks the unveiling of our first ever costume. Similar to this site our principal colour is a bright saffron Yellow with Gold. We are currently busy designing and making the costumes. We are hoping we will be like a blast of Brazilian Sun n’ Sound on the cobbled streets of our City.

Thanks We have to thank Ray at YouthLynx (one of our key players) for all his support so far in providing us with our space for rehearsals and (link to band page).

A big shout out also goes to the ubiquitous Edwina Grace at The Kilkenny People for all the interest as well as Sue Nunn, and all at KCLR local Radio. Thanks.

RHYTHMRIOT MUSIC

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