FAQuesday - where & when we're meeting, what we're wearing, what we're playing, and what to expect!

OH MY GOODNESS, YOU GUYS -- it's finally MAY!!!!

Which means, of course, that the countdown is REALLY on.

Here, presented as potential QUESTIONS you might have, is what to expect THIS SUNDAY, when we play at May Day:


1. First of all, WHAT section are we going to be in, in the May Day Parade lineup?

• We're going to be in the BLOOM section of the parade lineup.  (Jean Ockuly figured this out for us -- thanks Jeanie!)

2. OK, so WHERE is that?

• Well, even though it's the LAST section, we meet at the start of the parade, which means that we're going to want to meet close to the corner of Bloomington and 18th Ave S.  When you get there, if you have any difficulty, remember you're in the BLOOM section, ask Parade Marshalls, and tell them you're "Toward the back"... they'll direct you where to go.

From: https://hobt.org/mayday/parade/route/ 

3. Right, okay, so WHEN are we meeting?

• We're going to meet at about 11:00am on Sunday, May 6!  The parade STARTS at 12pm, and while we're in the last section, we usually start to line up one hour before the parade begins.   So, we should be assembling and practicing around 11, and getting ready start marching a little after 12:00 noon!

4.  Alright, cool, cool...   but WHAT ARE WE WEARING? 

• Since we're going to be in the BLOOM section of the parade lineup, wear BRIGHT BLOOM colors! (Again, Jeanie talked to someone from Heart of the Beast -- he specifically mentioned greens and oranges, but any bright, floral-inspired colors will do!)

For an idea of how to costume, if you're into getting into the spirit of the section, Students for Justice & Peace will be in the Bloom section with us, and intend to have:

• Many, many flowers and bees! 🐝🌻🌼🐝💐🌹🐝🌸
• One hummingbird and one dragonfly (worn as backpacks)
• 2 Pink Roosters on Stilts, 
• (and) a blue monarch butterfly kiteeeeeee 🦋

So, do what you're comfortable with, feel free to wear flowers in your hair (or your hat), and get colorful!

5.  Great!   Got it!      I'll be there, in the BLOOM section on 25th Street, in colorul clothes, at 11am.   BUT WAIT, how am I getting my INSTRUMENT there?

• Oh, that's important!!  When talking to Pat O'Keefe, he said,  "Everyone is responsible for their own instruments!!!!!!!*  We (Pat and Tim) can take A FEW back afterwards but mostly everyone is responsible NOT ONLY for getting their instrument to the parade but ALSO getting it back to us after the parade is over. We would like all instruments returned to us (Pat and Tim O'Keefe) within one week of the parade. We actually lose quite a few smaller instruments each year."
• Let's make sure we don't lose ANY this year!   Figure out your plan for your instrument NOW (or at tomorrow's practice!)

*That is a direct quote from Pat, including all 7 exclamation points.   PLEASE make sure you're responsible with and for your instrument, including sticks and straps!


6. Wait, so WHAT are we PLAYING again?

• We will be cycling through our FOUR songs -- which are made up of smaller parts:
• The Maracatu Medley
•  Intro: bells-shekere-snares-alfaias roll, going into Marcação groove (the basic maracatu groove)
• Song #1 “Nagô Nagô” (Baque de parada)
• Song #2 “Somos de Agua Fria” (Baque de martelo)
• Interlude (switch to Baque de Imale)
• Break 3
• Song #3 “Coroa Imperial” (with funk beat)
• Tu Maraca Tu, which consists of
• Tu Maraca Tu
• the Second Line ("2L" sign) and 
• Marcação groove (big M on the head like in YMCA sign) parts
• Mas Que Nada, and
• Baiana

7.  Fantastic!!   And, ah, what if I still want to practice?
 Great!!   Please feel free to use the videos on our private Batucada Do Norte playlist!

New videos this week: 

• Coming in for Alfaia on Maracatu Medley -- Review (after 4 measures of rolls)
• Run Through of Maracatu Medley through to Nagô Nagô
• Run Through of Maracatu Medley from Nagô Nagô through Somos de Agua Fria
• Run Through of Maracatu Medley from Somos de Agua Fria through Break 3
• Run Through of Maracatu Medley from Break 3 through to Finish

Baiana (NEW!!)

• Alfaia part + Snare/Caixa Part: Tutorials
• Alfaia and Snares playing, with Horns
• Baiana: 6-min run through (with quiet horns)

Tu Maraca Tu 

• Second Line & Tu Maraca

Fun Extras:

• What are those words you're saying, anyway?  "Somos de agua fria lele"
• Tu Maraca Tu breakdown / explanation of order

 Start with video 13 and go from there!

And of course, don't forget to come on down to the downstairs practice room in UMN's Ferguson Hall tomorrow, May 2, at 7:00pm for our LAST (official) PRACTICE before MAY DAY 2018!

Remember: we only have 

until we play in May Day 2018!!