Alegria: A Specialty AfroCaribbean & AfroBraziian Dance Workshop Tour with Kimberly Miguel Mullen in ARIZONA


Tucson : Phoenix : Sedona  ::  June 15 - 23, 2014

Join us in welcoming visiting dance artist and ethnologist, Kimberly Miguel Mullen to Arizona for Alegria – a 9-day dance tour that will evoke the joyful and energetic essence of Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago, and Brazil. Participants will learn folkloric and popular dances that originate from a complex religious system from various regions of Africa that have been appropriated and maintained in the Caribbean and Brazil - both ceremonial and artistic cultural expressions. Kimberly is skillful at making accessible these intellectual concepts relatable and beneficial to everybody by creating a context through which the execution of movement guides the exploration of the self and how we connect to others and the Universe at large. Participants will not only explore the unique relationship between the various dance steps and drum rhythms but will also learn the cultural, political, historical, and social content of the dances as well. All skill levels are welcome in this non-competitive dance classroom environment. All classes will be accompanied by live percussion. 

“Pure Joy. Mullen doesn’t stop smiling and encouraging the group with every step, making sure everyone is having a blast. We finished the class completely soaked but bursting with energy.” - Jaime Kiffel-Alcheh, Vital Juice LA

Kimberly Miguel Mullen, an internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer for over 17 years, has performed in the USA, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba and Hong Kong. As a solo artist, she was one of a chosen few to perform with the late legendary Cuban percussionist Francisco Aguabella. The Los Angles Times has described her movement, a well-crafted mixture of traditional techniques from the African diaspora and Silvestre contemporary dance, as “spectacularly supple.” Mullen, who earned a Masters of Arts degree from UCLA’s Department of World Arts and Cultures, actively pursues her interests in dance ethnography, traveling throughout the world while creating links among cultures through the expression of dance. Since 2005, Mullen has also been recognized as a popular dance and fitness DVD personality and choreographer renowned for infusing traditional dance forms into mainstream markets. Her debut dance workout DVD, "Dance and Be Fit: Brazilian Body," was awarded “Best Dance DVD 2009” by Health Magazine. 

www.kimberlymiguelmullen.com

Full schedule for Sedona, Phoenix, and Tucson classes available here: Workshops Page

As the Desert Botanical Garden celebrates its 75th anniversary, we invite you to join us this holiday season as we bring Las Noches de las Luminarias and Chihuly in the Garden together! Each night of Luminaria, the Garden will come to life with the soft glow from more than 8,000 hand lit Luminaria bags, thousands of white twinkle lights and Chihuly’s vibrant works of glass art. Sip on hot apple cider as you walk the trails and encounter the Valley’s favorite musicians and entertainers including Poranguí. Bring your whole family for this magical winter delight! 

Poranguí’s Performance Dates: Dec 6th - 12th, 19th - 23rd, and 29th - 31st 
Look for him on the "Plants and People of the Sonoran Desert Trail".

More details and to purchase your tickets in advance visit: http://www.dbg.org/events-exhibitions/las-noches-de-las-luminarias 

Check out this video of Porangui’s performance last year at Luminaria- and if you like it, share it!  (Make sure to listen with headphones if on your computer or phone - makes a world of a difference!) http://youtu.be/AR0TVmpi500 

Roots of Liberation: 
A tour through the origins of Afro-Brazilian music, dance & ceremony 

A Presentation by Poranguí as a prelude to the performance of the Balé Folclórico da Bahia 

Join Brasilian musician, filmmaker, artist and educator, Poranguí as he shares a dynamic multimedia presentation exploring diverse facets of Afro-Brazilian culture from the liberating fight-dance of Capoeira to the sacred ceremonies, dance & music of the Orixas. The presentation will touch on and inform various elements of the performance later in the evening by the Balé Folclórico da Bahia. A brief Q&A discussion will follow. 

Balé Folclórico da Bahia Performance 

We are excited to welcome this stellar line-up, including several of our teachers in Brazil, to Arizona! Brazil’s young and vivacious Balé Folclórico da Bahia has won over audiences around the world. The 38-member troupe of dancers, musicians and singers performs a high-spirited repertoire based on Bahian folkloric dances of African origin, including slave dances, orixa dance, the martial art of capoeira, samba and carnival. Their spectacular stage shows are joy-filled extravaganzas featuring exquisite costumes, dazzling movements, and powerful rhythms and vocals.

PerformanceTickets: www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org
Check out the entire Discovery Brazil performance series here: www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org/discovery_brazil.php 

Location: Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
7380 E. 2nd Street, Scottsdale 
Lecture is free to those attending Balé Folclórico da Bahia Show

Saturday, November 2, 2013  
Grupo Liberdade at Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix
8:30 pm Show (7:30 pm Doors)

Enjoy an up close and personal evening of Brazilian music with Grupo Liberdade (joined by SambAZ Dancers) at Crescent Ballroom. Bring your friends and be ready to dance to the irresistible grooves of samba, maracatu, samba reggae, latin fusion, and more! Hear the stories and learn about the origins of this music as you journey through the sounds and the heartbeat of Brazil! And if you just can't stop dancing, DJ SupaVaiza has you covered with some late night sonic treats! Brazilian Caipirinha drink specials all night! 

21+ Event (Crescent permits minors 13+ to attend with their parent)
Tickets: $15 Door, $12 Pre-sale discounted tickets at: Crescent Ballroom
Location: 308 N. 2nd Ave, Phoenix, AZ

Brazilian Drumming Workshop with Mestre Nininho 
Monday, Nov 4, 2013
7:00 - 9:00 pm 

Hailing from NorthEastern Brazil, Master Drummer Nininho of Maracatu Badia will be making his Phoenix debut instructing an interactive percussion workshop on Maracatu and other Nordestino styles for all levels age 13 and up.  Instruments Provided if needed. RSVP to Ashley at aeklein@gmail.com. For more information: http://www.grupoliberdade.com/workshops.html 

Location: Dobson High School, 1501 W Guadalupe Rd, Mesa, AZ 85202
Cost: $20 


If you are also interested in an advanced workshop on Tuesday, Nov 5, contact Ashley at the above listed email. Attendance at the first workshop is a highly recommended prerequisite.

Hosted by Poranguí and Grupo Liberdade. Support provided by Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts - Gratidão!

Sergio Mendes Concert Friday, Nov 1 in Scottsdale
WIN TICKETS by entering here! 

Thanks to the generosity of Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Grupo Liberdade has two pairs of tickets to see Sergio Mendes to give away to our incredible fans! Enter to win your tickets here by 11:00pm Wednesday. Winners will be notified by email by Thursday morning. Enter the contest here: http://woobox.com/t9hgjt 

Check out the entire Discovery Brazil performance series here: 
http://www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org/discovery_brazil.php 

Saturday, September 28, 2013 
Roosevelt Row Chile Pepper Festival
5pm-11pm (9:00 show)

Grupo Liberdade headlines the 2nd Annual Chile Pepper Festival sponsored by Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix on Saturday, Sept 28. We take the stage at 9pm and will be joined by the SambAZ dancers.

The festival will present local restaurants, chefs, and gourmet food trucks competing in a Chile Challenge for the most delicious, chile pepper-inspired cuisine. Salsa tasting included, so make sure to vote for your favorite! Bring your whole family for crafts, games, and performances!
See www.rooseveltrow.org for more details about the Chili competition, salsa tasting, pre-sale tickets, and more!

All Ages
Tickets: $10 Advance, $15 Door, or $20 includes a bag of Hatch Chiles!
Location: ARTS Market, 408 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix, AZ 85004

Sunday, October 13th, 2013
BrasilAZ Poolside at W Hotel Scottsdale WET
12 noon - 5:00 pm

Grupo Liberdade performing at the Hottest Pool Party in town with the SambAZ Dancers, Grupo Capoeira Brasil AZ, and guest Brazilian DJ Potira. Enjoy an afternoon of autumn sunshine from 12 noon - 5:00 pm (shade of course available too!) for the last pool party of the season at W Scottsdale WET! The pool features underwater lighting and music, and water heated or cooled as necessary. Reserve a private cabana or VIP table for an even more luxurious experience! More details and discount pre-sale tickets at www.BrasilAZ.com

21+ Event  ::  Come dressed to enjoy the pool
Tickets: $20 Pre-Sale, $25+ Door
Location: W Scottsdale, 7277 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale

Saturday, November 2, 2013 
Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix
8:30 pm Show (7:30 pm Doors)

Enjoy an up close and personal evening of Brazilian music with Grupo Liberdade (joined by SambAZ Dancers) at Crescent Ballroom. Bring your friends and be ready to dance to the irresistible grooves of samba, maracatu, samba reggae, latin fusion, and more! Hear the stories and learn about the origins of this music as you journey through the sounds and the heartbeat of Brazil! And if you just can't stop dancing, DJ SupaVaiza has you covered with some late night sonic treats! Brazilian Caipirinha drink specials all night!

21+ Event (Crescent permits minors to attend with their parent)
Tickets: $15 Door, $12 Pre-sale discounted tickets at: Crescent Ballroom
Location: 308 N. 2nd Ave, Phoenix, AZ

We are SO EXCITED!!! The Advanced Percussion Ensemble at Dobson High School has been working diligently all semester under the direction of Joseph Goglia, learning the rhythms of Brazilian Batucada. They are enthused and ready to join Grupo Liberdade on stage for a joint concert on Saturday, May 11th at the Dobson High Auditorium in Mesa (1501 W. Guadalupe Rd). 

For those of you who know our sound well, you know that it will be all the better with MORE DRUMS! These groups will also be joined by Capoeira Brazil and the SambAZ Dancers for a spectacular journey into the sights and sounds of Brazil. This may be the last Grupo Liberdade show for the summer while we are recording an album, so make sure to get your fix this weekend!

The fundraiser for Dobson students will be ALL AGES, so invite your students, your neighbors, and bring the whole family for a night to remember! Tickets are available at the Dobson High School Bookstore or by calling 480-472-3262 for $10 in advance ($5 children under 12) or $12 at the Door ($6 children under 12). 

This Friday, April 5, Grupo Liberdade returns to one of our favorite venues in the Valley, the Desert Botanical Garden. Join us for a sensational Sonoran sunset to the soundtrack of swinging and shaking Brazilian tunes!  

The Desert Botanical Garden has been teaching and inspiring visitors from the local community and around the world, providing research, exhibits and more designed to help us understand, protect and preserve the desert’s natural beauty.

In celebration of Desert Botanical Garden’s 75th Anniversary, the Spring Music in the Garden Concert Series pays tribute to the Garden members and some of the most talented and popular musicians in the Valley. This special line up features member favorites, and Grupo Liberdade takes the stage this week, Friday, April 5. 

Plan ahead and enjoy dinner at Gertrude’s, the Garden’s new onsite restaurant OR enjoy the following options available at Ullman Terrace: Patio Café , Chef-attended station, full cash bar and boutique wine sales.

Tickets at www.dbg.org 
members: $16 / general public: $22
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. / Concert 7 - 9 p.m.
21+ Event