Liverpool organisation Brazuka launches new online arts project during lockdown

Merseyside not-for-profit BrazUKa International have been awarded Arts Council England’s Emergency Response funding and are now launching a brand new online drumming and movement project.

With a programme of activities that was based around public-facing community rehearsals, performances and workshops, the organisation was hit hard by the effects of Covid-19. Now, with this funding, BrazUKa – and its highly visible combined arts project “Katumba Drumming and Movement” – can increase their digital capacity to contribute to the wider public’s health and wellbeing.

Katumba already successfully transferred their Drumming and Movement classes for members online, which have been well received during lockdown. Shortly, a digital version of their Drumming & Movement Masterclasses will be available to all drumming bands in the UK – and internationally – with offerings in English, Portuguese and Spanish.

This new online project however, is for EVERYBODY! Katumba is inviting audiences of ALL AGES, with no experience needed, to get involved with ‘Tune In With Katumba’. Participants will be able to take part in the creative processes of composition, drumming, movement, visual arts and performance – all from home!

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Using professional multi-camera broadcasting technology – with high quality sound and image – Katumba will provide a platform to share everyone’s dreams, fears and hopes by asking the public to send in words describing what ‘Life After Lock-Down’ means to them.

Those words will build the foundation for a powerful piece of percussive music. Katumba will show participants how to build their own instrument from upcycled household items – Brazilian style – then teach them how to play music that they themselves helped compose! Those taking part will also learn to move to the Katumba beat alongside audiences all over the world.

Katumba will produce a split-screen video of the final performance piece. And if public gatherings are allowed in the autumn, participants will be invited to perform at the famous Katumba Halloween Parade!

This week – until the 25th of May – you can join Part One of the project: take a photo of yourself holding a signboard with a word that describes what #LifeAfterLockdown means to you. It can be an activity, an emotion, a place, a person, anything!

Post your photo on Facebook or Instagram tagging @katumbadrumming and using the hashtag #LifeAfterLockdown.

If you’re camera shy, you can cover your face with the sign OR simply type your word in the form on their website www.katumba.co.uk/tune-in

REGISTER TO TAKE PART HERE

The follow up interactive sessions will be held throughout May, June and July through Youtube and Facebook. All activities are free and appropriate for all ages. Children under 16 will need parental permission to take part.

Juliana Landim, Katumba’s Creative Director, said: “Katumba’s main focus has always been affect positively our community’s health and wellbeing through drumming and movement-always delivering with high quality artistic content.

This significant point in history is giving people a space to tune in, connect and explore different ways in which culture can contribute to physical and mental wellbeing.

We want to provide a platform for the public to reflect and share their dreams, hopes and fears while re-imagining our world post-lockdown’.

As well as this new new project, Katumba Drumming and Movement is also delivering weekly yoga classes by their Movement Director. You can check the schedule for all their online offerings here: