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Afro-Brazilian rhythms come to UD Nov. 15 4:23 p.m., Nov. 13, 2006--Alex Shaw, a Philadelphia-based percussionist, vocalist and capoeira artist, will perform from 4-5 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 15, in 117 Gore Hall. Sponsored by UD's Latin American Studies Program, Shaw's performance will feature Afro-Brazilian rhythms and dance moves that are integral to Latin American culture, where religions like Cuban santería, Brazilian candomblé and Haitian Voodoo juxtapose African ancestral-based faiths with Roman Catholic worship. The performance also will showcase the Brazilian martial art capoeira, which has spiritual and musical components. Shaw received formal training in classical piano and orchestral percussion before focusing his talents on Brazilian, Latin and West African music traditions. Since receiving his bachelor's degree from Swarthmore College in 2000, he has made his living as a professional musician and has become a member of Philadelphia's drumming community. He has been performing and touring for more than five years with established local ensembles, such as the award-winning Spoken Hand Percussion Orchestra and Alô Brasil, of which he is an artistic director. Besides being a percussionist, Shaw works as a dance accompanist at the University of the Arts and Swarthmore College and as a professional arts educator throughout the tri-state region. He also serves as secretary and a senior member of Philadelphia's International Capoeira Angola Foundation and in 2004 was awarded a grant by Arts International's prestigious Artist Exploration Fund for travel to Brazil to further his musical study and artistic exchange with master percussionists and community-based arts organizations. The performance is free is open to the public, and those interested in Latin American and African culture are especially encouraged to attend. For more information, call (215) 806-2972 or e-mail [braham@udel.edu]. |
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