Batucada Blog

Unite against COVID – filming a TV ad

Marching up and down again, performing for a great cause

Wellington Batucada drummers and dancers, filming Ka kite COVID TV ad. Photo by AliG.

It’s always the same when you do any sort of filming – it always starts later than planned, and there’s always heaps of waiting around. Fortunately for us, our good friends at El Barrio had provided part of their bar as our official Green Room, which meant that we had somewhere to store our stuff, get ready, hang out, socialise, and maybe even have a beer or two. What could be better?

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Newtown Fair 2021

A slightly later date, worth waiting for!

Batucada drummers and dancers at Newtown Fair 2021. Photo by Chris McKeowan.

Oh how we love Newtown Fair.

You get there super-early (wearing your band uniform, most likely), spend an hour or a few meandering through the streets looking at all the stalls and buying stuff, eating yummy food from everywhere in the world, and answering many questions from people about when the band will be playing. Everyone looks forward to the Batucada parade, it seems.

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Beginners dance and drumming course 2021

We know you’ve been waiting a long time for this… so come and join us!

Beginners dance and drumming course 2021Come and learn to drum and dance alongside members of Wellington Batucada. Sign up for the 2021 Beginners workshops now!

The Sunday afternoon workshops will run for 6 weeks, from 9 May to 13 June 2021, 1pm – 3pm.

The cost is $120 for the course. There’s also a special price of $25 for Batucada members who are keen to learn a new instrument or refresh your skills.

Drumming Workshops will take place at Cook Islands Society Hall, 220 Hanson St, Newtown (see map).

Dance Workshops will take place at the Te Whaea National Dance & Drama Centre. NOTE THIS IS A CHANGE OF VENUE to accommodate more dancers. For the 6 June session, we will meet at Wellington Pipe Band Hall, Corner of Hanson St, Newtown (see map).

Booking your spot on the 2021 course

To sign up, please fill in this form.

Once you’ve completed the form, please pay $120 via internet banking to:

Wellington Batucada
38-9012-0348830-00
Reference “Your Name” and “Beginners”

We may need to limit numbers this year, so please sign up ASAP to ensure a spot!

More info here

Aro Fair 2021

Taking part in a classic Welly happening

We had so much fun being part of such a glorious, family-friendly day of food, stalls and entertainment. The community spirit of so many bright and beautiful people was absolutely fabulous. Big ups to Dani and her crew from the Community Centre for an amazing day. Thanks to Tommy Etuata too for capturing all that community goodness in this video as we drummed and danced in the heart of Aro Valley.

A beautiful day, at a beautiful Wellington community event – what could be better? We were thrilled to be asked to open for the famous ArOlympics this year. It was our pleasure!

Wellington Batucada drummers and dancers at the Aro Fair 2021. Video by Tom S Etuata.

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Round the Bays Fun Run 2021

An early start, for a great cause

Wellington Batucada drummers and dancers at Round the Bays 2021. Photo by Tom Etuata.

This is our second time performing at Round the Bays, and once again it was a very early (7.45am!) start for this great community event. We resurrected our CubaDupa 2018 costumes (shhh don’t tell anyone, but this is my favourite ever Batucada outfit!) which meant we were colourful and eye-catching for the runners as they thundered past.

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