It’s the last day of level 4 lockdown in New Zealand, and we should have been dancing in celebration of International Dance Day. All around the world, populations are sheltering in place as COVID-19 rages on.
So instead of dancing together today, let’s take an in-depth look at dance in Wellington Batucada, and what it means to us…
Wellington Batucada dancers share their thoughts (and their moves!) on International Dance Day 2020. Video by Tom S Etuata.
As we write this blog post during our first weekend of New Zealand’s Level 4 total lockdown, we reflect on what we should have been doing today – performing on-stage at CubaDupa – our biggest and most anticipated show of the year.
The theme of this year’s CubaDupa was to have been “Beautiful disruption”, which is pretty apt, considering where we are now.
Although the sun has come out this afternoon, the Weather Gods have pretty much slammed the weekend with continuous heavy rain and a cold Southerly. That, at least, makes staying at home today instead of celebrating on the street with the CubaDupa massive, slightly more bearable. You have to look for silver linings where you find them these days, eh?
So let’s take a look back at CubaDupa (and the Cuba Street Carnival) from previous years – and get inspired and motivated to unite and beat the coronavirus – and get back together for CubaDupa 2021.
Thanks a million to our resident (official!) photographer and videographer Tommy Etuata for taking the time to put this gem of a video together of Wellington Batucada’s Cuba Street journey through the years – Enjoy!
Wellington Batucada performing at the Cuba Street Carnival and CubaDupa. Video by Tom S Etuata.
Although we didn’t realise it at the time, the 2020 Newtown Fair was our last gig before lockdown, just over two weeks later. It was also to be the last gig with our dear friend Mathew Gale.
This was our first time at the Life Flight Trust Open Day – and it was a beautiful day for it.
It was quite exciting to be hanging out amongst the planes, helicopters, emergency vehicles, dashing life-saving-emergency-personnel, and cute rescue dogs. And banana dogs! Don’t forget those fruit-sniffing heroes!
Continue reading
The Pride Hikoi is a waterfront Rainbow parade from Civic Square that culminates in the opening of the Out in the Park event in Waitangi Park. We were asked by some of our Rainbow members and allies to drum and dance at this event, which we were delighted to do.
Continue reading
Oof!
We were invited to perform at the Round the Bays event (for the Fiji Airways Corporate Zone), entertaining the runners as they race past. Our drummers and dancers performed from 7:45am to 9:30 am – playing off and on for runner groups passing by.
Continue reading
You know how sometimes you get those lovely performances where everything just feels right – and you don’t know how or why, but it’s a great experience when it happens?
This was one of those nights.
Continue reading
Wellington Batucada drummers and dancers were invited this year, for the first time, to perform at the Upper Hutt City of Song Festival.
What a beautiful day – and what a lovely venue, with the large stage in amongst the dappled shade of the trees at Harcourt Park.
Continue reading
What a lovely day, and what a lovely gig.
My goodness. What a stonkingly hot day that was – you can’t beat Welly etc etc.
Continue reading
Wellington Batucada is absolutely thrilled to have been invited by Wellington composer John Psathas to take part in Cubasonic – his original score for over 500 musicians written especially for this year’s CubaDupa.
We’ve been learning and rehearsing our part in this epic piece since November and we’re really excited to be involved. The score is nothing like anything we’ve ever played before, which makes it fascinating and an excellent challenge to get our heads around.
John Psathas and CubaDupa director Gerry Paul were interviewed on Radio New Zealand this week. Have a listen and get excited about what’s to come – it’s gonna be huge!
A mass musical disruption is coming to the Capital as part of the CubaDupa festival next month.
500 muscians will line Cuba Street from one end to the other and perform an original score by Wellington composer John Psathas.
Add in a sound system across multiple city blocks and a locally-invented Tesla coil that can be played like a keyboard and shoots lightning into its surrounding and you’ve got Cubasonic.
Lynn’s guests are John Psathas and CubaDupa director Gerry Paul. CubaDupa is on March 28 and 29 in Wellington.
RNZ, Nine To Noon, 7 February 2020