Perth Concert Hall continued the countdown to its fifth birthday Carnival with a free outdoor performance by top Brazilian percussionist Naná Vasconcelos and children from Saturday Cool Schools.
Up to two hundred 8-12 year olds from Saturday Cool Schools from throughout Perth & Kinross, who have been learning samba drumming, Brazilian and traditional Gaelic songs over the last six months, joined Vasconcelos and other Brazilian music specialists for a weekend of workshops and rehearsals culminating in a joint display on the Perth Concert Hall Plaza from 1.30pm on Sunday 2 May.
Vasconcelos is acknowledged worldwide as the finest player of Brazilian traditional percussion instrument the berimbau - originally developed out of a hunting bow, the berimbau is the basic instrument of capoeira, the powerful dance and martial arts style of Brazil.
He has performed and recorded with everyone from B.B. King to Talking Heads, embraced a host of musical genres from symphonies to street dance and experimented with a range of percussion techniques. He has collaborated with top international musicians Trilok Gurtu, Laurie Anderson and Brian Eno to name but a few.
Vasconcelos is returning to the Fair City for Perth Concert Hall's fifth birthday Carnival weekend in September. Carnival is one of three community events created by Horsecross Arts in celebration of Perth 800 in 2010. The creative organisation behind Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre secured £216,000 of funding in November for these Inspire Projects which are supported by the National Lottery through the Scottish Arts Council.
Iain Munro, Co-Director of Arts, Head of Lottery, Scottish Arts Council said:
"Our congratulations go to Perth Concert Hall on its 5th birthday - this weekend's event promises to bring more, wider and better participation in the arts to the city's communities. The city is getting ready for an amazing carnival this September and bringing a touch of the favelas to the Perth will inspire people of all ages to get involved in the arts."
Horsecross Arts is on the look out for choirs, dance, drama groups and musicians to join in and help make the September event the biggest Carnival Perth has ever seen.
To play a part, share ideas or for more info contact Jenn Minchin on 01738 477722, e-mail jminchin@horsecross.co.uk