Barbatuques Workshop - Sao Paulo, Brazil

The "body percussion" workshop we were invited to yesterday morning was awesome. Fernando Barba, the founder of the group, Barbatuques, was the one that headed the workshop, It was a mix of learning different techniques and rhythms...creating different tones and sounds with different types of claps and slaps, with your hand on your chest, legs, head, across your cheeks, over your lips, and in front of your mouth...stomping your feet. It was very therapeutic and even meditative at time.

We started off learning how to make 3 different tones from clapping: bass claps, mid-pitch claps, and a high-pitch claps. Then we formed circles and created rhythms in groups. About 20 of us from Saltimbanco were there. (click on pics to enlarge)

We can't wait to get in!


Susan (my wife), me, Fernando Barba, Serge Maheux (Saltimbanco's drummer)


At the end of the workshop 10 of Barbatuques members performed for us giving us a little taste of what they are all about and a wonderful memory. It was an incredible experience.

Giving us a performance after the workshop


Video: Barbatuques workshop performance


They'll be coming to the Cirque du Soleil site in a couple weeks and get to try some of the things our acrobats do in the show.