Vanessa Isaac: Diary

Some people wrote asking me why did I choose the name Hip Brazil for my method, group and production company. Well, many years ago the name came to me, and my husband, when we were walking on the beach, talking about life and beauty. The name is a tribute to things that we think make the world hip (art, music, dance, nature, friends, community, the great aspects of my culture etc.). The name is also about embracing who we are and about beauty.

We all know how the balance between inner beauty and outer beauty is important. Personality, charisma, generosity, grace are all elements that makes one beautiful. Hip Brazil™ takes the beauty concept beyond the superficial. Deep inside everyone there is a sensual being! There is a samba goddess with graceful curves, a sacred being ready to tune with the natural rhythms of the universe and a blissful voyager. I know this is a cliché, however there is honesty in this statement: "Beauty comes from confidence that translates in how you care for yourself". So in this sense, it extends in how you dress, how you behave and how you carry yourself.

In many cultures we have been trained to suppress our sensuality, tucking our hips, keeping them square and never show the power that the curves of our bodies expresses! Even having curves is not embraced! You may turn on the TV or open a magazine and all you see is size 2. Nothing wrong in being size 2, if you naturally are size 2 and you are not starving to death. The problem is when it becomes doctrine that you are only beautiful and worth of love if you’re one size. We come in many sizes.

Unfortunately, when we see any acknowledgment of female curves in the mainstream media is all with sexual connotations. Although sex is not a bad word in my dictionary, for me the point is always the celebration of our sensuality. Sensuality and sexuality are very different. Sexuality is only about sex. Sensuality is about sensitivity; it’s about awareness and presence. Sensuality is the way you feel about your self, not only your body, but also your power as a woman and human being. Sometimes it may involve being sexual but its much more than that.

When you move your hips you allow yourself to explore your sensuality, you open doors to self-discovery. I have received many letters from dancers saying that after they got my DVDs they were exposed to layers of themselves that they were not aware of. By moving their bodies, especially their hips, they were able to connect with parts of themselves that they had cut from their lives for years. The negativity about their bodies and their female power started to disappear. Many of those students say them felt lighter and even a little “high” when they first started to explore those moments, after some months of practice they were able to find their freedom, joy and strength.

So here is a toast to our curves and the power we girls have! May you embrace yourself today and celebrate your curves with self-confidence and joy!

Be Hip Brazil!
Vanessa isaac

© 2008 by Vanessa Isaac.

Below a GREAT poem from Lucille Clifton!

Homage to My Hips

these hips are big hips.
they need space to
move around in.
they don't fit into little
petty places. these hips
are free hips.
they don't like to be held back.
these hips have never been enslaved,
they go where they want to go
they do what they want to do.
these hips are mighty hips.
these hips are magic hips.
i have known them
to put a spell on a man and
spin him like a top

Lucille Clifton

Carnival has it's roots in the pre-Christian era as the spring festival like the Roman New Year Celebration of Saturnalia or even the previous Greek Cult of Dionysus. Its character has always been a celebration of the earth's energy, the mixing of social classes and the release of the built up energies of the winter season. It survived in Christian Europe as Entrudo. It was a pre-Lenten observance when the acceptable rules of behavior were interrupted and people would celebrate with parties (such as the Feast of Fools).

The Portuguese brought with them to Brazil this tradition of the Entrudo. And at the end of the ninth century the masked balls that were in fashion in Europe became popular in Rio and costumed balls and parades became usual. Today, Brazilian Carnival owes its high energy and infections rhythms to Central and West African Traditions.

In his book, Dancing - The Pleasure, Power and Art of Movement, Jonas Gerald says: "Out of this mix came the so-called 'samba schools', neighborhood-based social clubs whose principal purpose is to organize Carnival processions. At first, the authorities in Rio discouraged the participation of samba schools from the city's poorer black neighborhoods; in the early years of this century club-swinging police often broke up rowdier processions. In 1935 the samba schools were organize as official Carnival organization: in return, the schools agreed to abide by the city regulations governing the use of musical instruments and the allegorical themes around which the pageants had to be structured. From this agreement Rio's modern carnival, a highly organized event that leaves room for individual 'acting out' was born."

Each school has as a goal to win the first prize in the officially sponsored samba contest. They are judged by a jury that it is appointed by the Government. To participate each school must create an original song that honors a historical event or person. The costume, samba song and floats must relate to the theme chosen.

The Brazilian Carnaval it is a mix of European and African influences. Rio's carnaval is not the only Carnival on the country. The whole country celebrates it. I have to mention here the great carnaval in Recife and Olinda that is celebrated to the sounds of frevo rhythms. Bahia, on the Northeast of the country, is the mother-land of all Afro-Brazilian traditions. There, many rhythms are created and each year more tourists come to be part of the Carnaval celebration. Bahia is also the land of Re-Africanization, a growing black consciousness movement.

None of those Cds are new releases. I found myself enjoying them last week and
and they are great!

Ney Matogrosso Interpreta Cartola
Ney Matogrosso has a beautiful and unique counter-tenor voice. In this CD Ney pays tribute to legendary composer, musician and poet Cartola. Cartola is one of the most important Samba artists. Here Ney sings the classics as "As Rosas Não Falam", "O Mundo É Um Moinho", "Sim" e "O Sol Nascerá", "Desfigurado" e "Senões". Highly recommended!

Universo ao Meu Redor: Marisa Monte
Marisa's productions are always immaculate. In this cd she truly marries samba and pop in an elegant and melodious way. Beautiful album!

Whaa! Zuco 103
Zuco is a band that has great dance tunes and always something to say. Mixing samba, hip hop, electronic, trance, and traditional world beats Zuco is very "cool"

I went to a party a few day ago! I'm telling you this because was amazed by how everyone was into Forró! That was the dance music of choice for this very international group that included Americans, Argentineans, Japanese, Italians and of course, brazilians! They were dancing and singing and making me feel I was in Recife. Recife was, in a summer long gone, where I learned to dance forró!

Forró is rhythm and dance style that originated in the Northeast of Brazil. By now, you may have noticed that many of the contagious music from Brazil sprang from this culturally rich area. Some researchers claim that Forró is derived from the word “for all”. English companies in the early 1900 would organize parties for their workers and would advertise it as “for all”, including the general populace. Another theory is that Forro is a derivative of the Portuguese word forrobodó, which refers to “great party” and “joyful gatherings”. Forro is a style of music and dance created by the most humble and poor part of population in the “sertão nordertino”, the semi-arid region in Northeastern Brazil. This dusty interior area receives very little rainfall and sometimes endures sad, long-lasting droughts making life for the “sertanejos” extremely difficult.

Musician Luiz Gonzaga was the most significant promoter of fórro and the northeast music to the rest of Brazil. Gonzaga was born in 1912 in the Northeastern town of Exu, Pernambuco. As a young boy he would play in festivals and small towns balls with his father, the musician Januario Gonzaga. He joined the army at the age of 18 and played in military bands for almost a decade. After leaving the army in 1939, he decided to stay in Rio de Janeiro. Though his brilliant career Luiz Gonzaga sung about the struggles, longings and nostalgia of the Northeastern Sertanejos that due to their homeland drought and lack of jobs were obligated to migrate to larger cities in the south. He praised the interior life becoming one of the symbols for the reality of life in the sertão, giving voice to this simple brazilian population.

"When the green of your eyes spread
over the dead plantation
I promise you that,
Please don’t cry because,
Then I'll be back, dear
Then I'll be back, dear
Then I'll be back."

The traditional Forró is also known as Pé-de Serra. It has as main musical source the instrumental trio of accordion, zabumba and triangulo. This style is well alive specially in the interior and cities like Recife in the state of Pernambuco. Forró music has enjoyed a revival. Young people in Brazil, and even International audiences, have been captivated by it’s contagious rhythms. Forro Universitario is the style associated with bands as Rastapé and Falamansa. It receives this name because of its link to the college kids and bands. Their music is a bit softer then the traditional Forro but still centers around Forro’s instruments and rhythms.

Definitely, Forró is danceable music. Forró is danced in pairs. To dance it well you have to keep pelvis close together, interlock you tights moving in unison and feeling the beat of the zabumba. Zabumba is the great drum that marks the complex rhythms of Forro! Danced in clubs, street festivals and relaxed balls any time of the year in Brazil, this dance receives great attention during Festa Juninas, brazilian festival that happens in June around Dia de Sao João (Saint John's Day)!

When the next invite for a Brazilian Party arrive, if you decide to go, there is good chance that you will be dancing Forró instead of Samba! Forró is for all and is, everywhere!

The other day, when I wrote about the tradition of Maracatu, I mentioned to you Chico Science. Below I post a couple of CDs names just in case you want to check them out!.

Many of Brazil's great musicians come from the Nordeste (northeast) of Brazil. Pernambuco is one of the largest states of this region (over 3,800 square miles). The city of Recife is the state's capitol. I will be writing more about Pernambuco's beautiful and rich culture in my blog in the future. I want to mention here the Mangue Movement.

In the 1990's a new sound and musical boost came out of Recife called Mague Bit! Chico Science and Nação Zumbi is one of the most famous bands, being one of the founders and promoters of it. With strong rhythmic feel, mixing of traditional with electric instruments and social message, their music is impressive in many levels! It was not only another fusion type of music but an original sound that evolved from a rich cultural tradition and contemporary realities. Chico Science died in 1997 in an unfortunate car accident during canaval season at the young age of 30.

Listen to: da lama ao cais (1994/Sony). This was Chico Science and Nação Zumbi highly successful debut Cd!

Another principal band of this movement is Mundo Livre founded by Fred Motenegro, who uses his nickname of Fred04, and his brother, bassist Fabio.

Listen to the CD: Guentando a oia (1996/ Deckdisc label) and Por pouco (2000)

I will write more about their contributions and influences soon! For now enjoy the music!

I'm sitting here at my house, a bit bored with my evening, and I just decided to make a caipirinha! No rehearsal for me tonight, but, its not that I don't have things to do! I actually have more to do than I can handle! I have a pile of papers to review, thousands of people to e-mail back and a new DVD to produce. And those listed are just the most urgent business matters. I thought about other fun possibilities too! I can take a walk or go visit a friend. I can also go bug my husband by saying I'm bored. Just like a five year old kid in need of stimulation and attention. But I do this too often! I'm starting to feel guilty to interrupt his not so bored life! So I decided to make a caipirinha. Yes, Brazil’s famous national drink!

I know what you’re thinking. Caipirinha is not a drink that you should drink alone! Caipirinha invites parties and celebration. Caipirinha is usually drank in a night out in Rio de Janeiro ...or a nice evening at Pelourinho, the historic square in Salvador Bahia. For sure you would share this drink in a fancy club in São Paulo where beautiful people meet or, the best moments, in backyard family gatherings in your Brazilian hometown.

Believe me, I know! I haven't ever made a caipirinha to drink all by myself. I can start by explaining to you that I'm too far from Brazil! Yes, I can go out here in my California city with a couple of friends and for sure ask for a caipirinha. But remember, I'm bored! I'm bored and worst, lazy! No chance of me going out tonight! So, I decided to make a caipirinha and drink all alone. Accompanying my cocktail will be some Brazilian tunes. I think Caetano will go well tonight. Now understand, its not that Caetano is music for bored people. Caetano is music for the one in need of inspiration!

Now that I clarified myself I will share my recipe with you. Just in case you are bored and in need of some laid back inspiration too!


CAIPIRINHA!
This is a drink made with the Brazilian cachaça, a distilled alcohol made from sugar cane. You may also use vodka or light rum instead of the cachaça. If you use vodka, its called caipiroska, for rum you say caipirissima.

1 lime
1 tablespoon of sugar
2 onces of cachaça
4 large ice cubes or 8 smaller one


Quarter the limes and then slice them in even smaller pieces. Place the sliced limes in an old fashioned glass. Add the tablespoon of sugar. Mash it until the sugar dissolves. Pour 2 onces of cachaça (rum or vodka). Add the ice cubes. Stir well and enjoy!

Maracatu Traditions!
From the state of Pernambuco, MARACATU is a cultural manifestation that mixes elements of theater and music. Its origins goes back to the Reis do Congo (Kings of the Congo) procession that existed since the Brazilian Colonial era until the slavery abolition in 1888. Acting as an intermediary between the Portuguese Colonizers (or the Brazilian government) and the black slaves, the King of Congos were required to maintain the peace among “his people”. In the churches, as custom, the king and queen, elected by their people, were cultured. The slaves celebrated by playing their drums, singing and dancing right after the sacred ceremony. From this tradition the cultural manifestation of Maracatu developed in Pernambuco. There are two varieties of Maracatus: Maracatu Nação and Maracatu Rural. Both have in commom its Afro-Brazilian origins.

The Maracatu Nação also called MARACATU BAQUE VIRADO has visible religious traces and overtones. The music style is lively and dramatic. The ensemble usually consists of percussion and a procession that has as primary figures the “king” and “Queen”. They are encircle by costumed consorts and protected by a canopy.

Maracatu Rural also called as Maracatu de Baque Solto ensembles sugarcane workers and its rooted in the interior. It has afro-indigineous origins. It advanced from the fusion of pre-existing forms of Carnival merrymaking.

Maracatu rhythms influenced successful contemporary fusions as the Mangue Beat movement and Chico Science's music. Chico Science was one of the most famous musicians of the last decades. He were greatly inspired by the Maracatu tradition!

Whenever I hear the samba groove I can never seat still. Something inside of me starts to spin and I feel the rush of energy in my veins. Samba can communicate happiness and sensuality. It also can articulate my sadness, my passions and my desires. As the great composer Vinicious de Moraes wrote “ samba is like a prayer”. Samba is expression of the immense cultural wealth of Brazil! Samba is Brazil's soundtrack, the most popular of all Brazilian rhythms and dances!

Do you know the instruments used to make a good Samba Enredo?
Samba Enredo is a samba-song composed specifically to be sung during Carnival times by the competing Schools of Samba
In Rio De Janeiro. Below, I listed the instruments used to make a great samba-enredo swing. Shall we play?

Surdo de Primeira: It’s the bass drum. It is the foundation and base of the music
Surdo de Segunda: It "responds" to the calling of the Surdo-de-Primeira
Surdo de Terceira-It is played in between the surdo-de-primeira and Surdo de segunda. It gives the samba the great swing feeling
Caixa de guerra: It adorns the samba, helping the surdos maintain the rhythm and giving power to the groove
Repinique: It’s the pedal of the Caixa de Guerra. It helps the samba to sway. It "answers" the Caixa de Guerra beat.
Tarol: It is like the caixa but it has a different tuning although some Samba Schools use the Caixa-de-Guerra with the same tuning of the tarol.
Pandeiro, Ganza and Reco Reco – It seasons the samba infusing the rhythm with the soft sounds.
Tamborim, Cuica and Agogo – With a sharper sound they also add spice to the samba!

Have you watched this movie yet?
I just came home from the theater and I was so moved that I had to make an entry about it. Just go see it!!! The movie has superb cinematography, it's touching and sometimes funny. As reviewer Stephanie Zacharek for Salon.com puts it " the act of "finding oneself" isn't necessarily just a groovy, harmless quest; it can also be a profoundly manipulative act, a way of cutting deeply into the people who love you most." Although her review was not totally favorable, I love it. It was a journey that I took with awe. I highly recommended it!

I have got e-mails from people wanting to know who are my favorite Brazilian singers. Of course, I'm always adding to the list. At this moment this is what I can tell you:

Marisa Monte- she is the queen!
Céu-really cool and wonderful voice!
Cibele and Bebel Gilberto- I think both are very creative!
Zuco- again fun and creative!
Caetano, Djavan and Gil- They are the icons of Brazilian music.
Milton Nascimento- I love his voice and melodies! Another icon!
Lenine- amazing!
Daniela Mercury- I think the power and tone of her voice is just gorgeous!

I will be posting more as I remember all the names. Above is just a few of them. I'm always discovering and rediscovering artists that touch my soul and
bring joy and depth to my life!

Movement. Dance is much more than high art, folklore or consumer pop! Dancing is also about joy. It is joyful. It is about having a good time. Dance nourishes the soul. Dance is celebration!

When I always growing up I always loved to dance. My mother is from the state of Bahia, in the Northeast of Brazil. In Bahia the Africa influence is very prominent. It is also a very artistic area. Music and dance is simply everywhere in Bahia. When I was very young I lived there.

When I moved to Goias, a beautiful country area of Brazil, I would return almost every year to visit relatives in Bahia, since my mom's sister and many of her aunts and uncles still live there. Sometimes I would return with my parents sometimes, my favorite times, I would go back with my grandmother. I still have those early memories of seeing people dancing in the streets at carnival time. I remember the celebratory feeling in the air. Everybody moving together. Yes, everyone smiling!

When I as very young I took ballet classes. As a teenager, I began taking dance classes again. I took modern, contemporary and popular dances of Brazil. And when I went to college to study journalism at 17, dance classes helped me cope with the pressures of the long hours sitting in my desk doing mental work and researching papers. I remember many of my colleges leading a sedentary life totally disconnected of their bodies. They seemed trapped in their head. It was the first time that I made the link between mind and body, intent and action.

Since I was involved in theater and dance, I started to see the connection between thought and action. It is no surprise for me that physical exercise has been proved to be a natural medicine to help or cure depression. By now, I hope most of us know that physical exercise alleviates stress. But why? In my opinion inertia blocks the flow of spontaneity it make us stiff both physically and emotionally.

All that I am talking here, of course, is from a very personal experience. A life dancing has given me more that career but a path of leaning, integrating and healing. The Reader's Digest dictionary describes dance as: 1-to move the body and feet rhythmically, especially to music. So dance is rhythm! And we all are born with it. We just have to open ourselves up to it. All it takes is practice and patience. In my observation people that looks as having more rhythm was encouraged as a child to move and express themselves rhythmically. Yes, like everything else in life, rhythm has to be cultivated!

So, what happens when one cultivates rhythm? I had dance students tell me that when they regained their own rhythm it gave them the freedom to listen to their own spirit. Almost like opening a magic door. They could express themselves in a way that they cannot truly be expressed through words.

I have been dancing all my life. I have seen not just bodies transformed by the power of movement, since a lot of people start dancing to be in shape, but I have seen minds. When the mind is transformed then the life is transformed. Movement challenges you. When you move, there are obstacles of stiffness and coordination. Movement is an education. It pushers the body and mind toward greatness.

As the great dancer Pearl Primus wrote: "Dance is strong magic. The dance is spirit. It turns the body to liquid steel. It makes it vibrate like a guitar. The body can fly without wings. It can sing without a voice. The dance is life!"

I believe everyone can and should dance. Dance for the joy of it as a child does and you will be rewarded with a lifelong gift of health and joy!"
Vanessa Isaac

MANY PLANS I HAVE MADE
NOW I FEEL FREE IN THIS OCEAN
THAT MAKES ME SING
NAKED
FLOWERS
PAIN!

MUSIC AND DANCE MOVE ME
IN PASSION I ACT
IN LOVE I AM

MYSTERIES AND UNCERTAINTIES
ALL THOSE YEARS I HAVE FORGOTTEN WHO I AM
HOW CAN WE FORGET WHO WE ARE?
AND NOW MY FATHER IS GONE FROM THIS EARTH

IN MY MIND
I RUN DOWN A LONG ROAD
NAKED
LAUGHING AND THEN CRYING
LOVING
AND SINGING THE MOST WISTFUL MELODY

I FIND THE RIVER
I TWIRLING MYSELF SLOWLY
ARMS OPEN
STARS OVER ME
WIND BLOWING MY HAIR
SKIN ALIVE
ROCKS UNDER MY FEET
I SING PAIN, LIFE, DEATH AND LOVE
SWEET SONG
I STOP MYSELF AT THE EXACT MARK
I LOOK AT THE RIVER
I FEEL IT ON MY SKIN
COLD
I DIVE
IN SILENCE IT ALL ENDS
NO PAIN, LAUGHS
NO CRYING, SINGING OR MUSIC
SILENCE

REFLECTIONS: So once more I risk a lot. I got up feeling very depressed and really exhausted! My throat is really closed and I feel as all that I every felt is locked there! After the show on thursday I have been feeling really down. People wrote to tell me how they really loved the show. But the stress was huge with a musician on the emergency room for two hours before the show and the show starting one hour later because of that. I feel like I just let my self down as a performer! Being zen is not easy. I feel challenged and naked. Kind of my feelings are exposed...That's why decided to write it here: take the Vanessa that don't succeed and truly expose her, share even more this place of pain and vulnerability so it's in my face and maybe I can recognize it. Hopefully then I'll know what to do with it! Work through the cracks not on my voice but also on my heart. Let friends and strangers reflect back to me those spots that need help and take in. Maybe go down before go up again! Thanks for reading such a personal note! VI

Dancing in this solitude. Others are made of sea. I tried being lonely but I love to love you! Alone in the middle of the fall. I'm moon and salty water. Losing myself in the plenitude of your eyes.

So, alone I'll go, hurting of love, running from this solitude!

Now it's 7am.I just got up! I'm looking the gray sky through the living room window. Even though is starting to rain I see birds flying above trees. I love looking out of the window and discover the world out "there". In this distance I see trees behind trees. Positive and negative. Space. Drops over the roof. Threads making connections of this not "so modern life". Leaves of avocado tree "Yellowing" with time. I don't know if this makes sense, I never feel I'm "yellowing with time".

Does my dad still exist behind all this? Is he floating making wonderful jokes in the air, and helping the world with a bit of happiness? O, maybe, all this is too worldly for him now...

I stared at the cup of coffee looking for answers for this pain. The coffee
was cold as old coffee becomes after sitting for too long waiting to be drunk.

I'm here too long waiting for you!

I''m not Really Making Sense Today!

You know, people say that I expose too much of myself. I don't think so.
I'm sharing what's true. Why should I not be?!

I know I take a long time to do anything. It usually takes a long time before I put anything I think about together because I can not just "make up something". And yes, I'm talking about dance and music here.

A lot of friends say that the world is very hostile. It depends on how you look at things. OK, it depends of the day. PMS days are hard to deal with. I started to write diaries when I was 13 years old . I haven't stopped since. Then theater, dance and music came along.

Do you ever think: I'm soooo old?
I do. I try to be an example to others. I try. But the mind is something. I catch myself saying I'm too old to do this or that. I have telling myself this since I was 15 years old. It hasn't stopped me from doing anything really.


But I also tell myself frequently:
" take the mask off and make
yourself available to a good cause. Make of your false stage an amazing and sincere show"


It's 11:35PM. I'm really tired today.
And I should rest. Good night!
Oct 10

WHY I FORGET THAT EVERYTHING STARTS FROM ZERO AND THAN WE ADD MAGIC?

TODAY I HAD A HARD TIME DOING WHAT I EXPECT MYSELF TO DO. I WANT TO SURPRISE MYSELF BY BEING BETTER.

YOU START WITH YOUR OWN DREAMS AND SAY: I ACTUALLY COULD DO SOMETHING VERY COOL WITH MY
LIFE! BEAUTIFUL? WELL IN REALITY WE ALL KNOW HOW HARD IS AND I CAN FEEL THE PAIN IN MY SKIN.

BUT DEEP INSIDE I KNOW I WILL ALWAYS BELIEVE IN POETRY. I WROTE ABOUT REFLECTION AND MUSIC TODAY.

I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT STARTING RECORDING. SOMETIMES
DANCE TAKES PRIORITY IN MY LIFE.
NOW I FEEL MUSIC IS EXPRESSING BETTER WHAT I HAVE TO SAY.


MY NEW SONG
IT IS NOT ABOUT LOVE
NEITHER IS SOLITUDE
IT'S LIKE A SUNSET THAT FREES MY SPIRIT
IT'S LIKE A DREAM THAT COMES FROM FAR WAY
MY NEW SONG
IT'S LIKE FOLK MUSIC
MANY TIMES OUT OF TUNE
ONLY TRUE TO MY OWN HEART

OCT. 9 05

One hour. What's in the hour?
So much. So many.
So I think. I wonder. I try to focus.
Not aware of the subtle energies
in the room.
The love, the saddess, the passions
and desires
The magic of life and I can see it
If I'm lucky enough
I will be peaceful today
If I'm lucky enough
I will be anxious
I will be alive and present
Swinmming in the cosmic air of creation