The Velha Guarda Musical da Mangueira will lead a series of samba performances at Sesc 24 de Maio in central São Paulo, joined on separate evenings by Paula Lima, Teresa Cristina and the Velha Guarda Musical Vai-Vai. The concerts, scheduled for November 6 to 8, are part of the third Festival Sesc Culturas Negras, whose theme is the heritage of Black people.
The Mangueira group, with seven decades of history, will perform samba de terreiro, partido-alto and samba-enredo. Paula Lima is the guest for the November 6 show at 8 p.m., followed by Teresa Cristina at the same time on November 7. The Velha Guarda Musical Vai-Vai joins the group on November 8 at 6 p.m., bringing together samba traditions associated with Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
The festival program at the venue runs through November 29 and includes dance activities and the stage production “Negra Palavra – Poesia do Samba.” Together, the events explore how samba knowledge is passed on through musicians’ repertoires, movement taught across generations and stories carried in song lyrics.
On November 11 and 13, passista and teacher Aldione Senna leads “Relíquias do Samba: Ancestralidade, Movimento e Longevidade,” a free activity for people aged 60 and over, from 10 a.m. to noon. The sessions connect samba footwork with memory, affection and community life.
“Corpo Legado Vivo” expands the dance program on November 14 and 15, drawing on samba, hip-hop and dance bantu, among other forms. Participants include Aldione Senna, Douglas Iesus, Jhey Oliiver, Mariama Camara, Vicente Prado and Zaila Candace. The activities are free, with passes distributed 30 minutes beforehand.
Running from November 12 to 29, “Negra Palavra – Poesia do Samba” presents samba lyrics as spoken texts, bringing their imagery, narratives and word choices to the foreground. The production by the Complexo Negra Palavra collective also uses body percussion and movement. Its source material includes songs by Cartola, Nelson Cavaquinho, Jovelina Pérola Negra, Leci Brandão and Paulinho da Viola. Muato and Renato Farias are the artistic directors; Farias also wrote the script and dramaturgy.
Sesc 24 de Maio is at Rua 24 de Maio, 109, in the República district. Tickets for the Mangueira concerts and the production cost R$50, with half-price and full-credential options at R$25 and R$15 respectively. The concerts are open to all ages; “Negra Palavra” is rated for ages 12 and up.
Sources: Folha Ilustrada.