| Monday, 7-Aug-2006 15:52 |
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It's Like Running Away With the Circus
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Rhythm and dance rule in the creative world of "Casa do Boneco," dedicated to education, art and popular culture. "The Puppet House" is the natural outgrowth of a man's committment to the performing arts, the community and the children. I'm talking about Antônio Jorge de Jesus, aka Jorge Rasta, founder and artistic director of this enchanting theater group. Jorge hails from Salvador, Bahia and his dream is being realized in Itacaré, a fast-growing tourist destination in the south of Bahia; blessed with tropical beaches, lush rainforests and Afro-Brazilian culture.
Jorge's goals are ambitious and admirable. Through activities like origami, paper maché and art craft, the puppet theater has been the foundation of outreach to the youngest members of our community. These children are the people who create the backbone of Jorge's performing arts group. African folklore, music, dance and religion combine to become a vehicle to preserve history and popular culture while involving young people in artistic activities aimed at local tourism. The public attending any performance will testify to the "magic" created by these talented young artists. Percussion and driving rhythm provide a background for an original dance performed for each of the "orixás," the African dieties who remained with their worshippers through the period of slavery up to modern times. All of the costumes are handmade as are many of the musical instruments. The performance includes a narrative by Jorge that comes straight for his heart, based on written and oral history handed down to Brazil from Africa.
I recently had the immense pleasure of spending some 24 hours with Jorge, his immediate family and his extended family, the young performers of the theater group. The boundless creative energy, industrious talents and musical background swept me up and carried me on a wave of "alegria." The real "magic" begins backstage where the group lives, works and performs as a family, some members having been involved for up to 10 years. Many of Jorge's objectives unseen, or unknown to the public are to keep his artists involved in a continuing process of education, to build self-esteem (not egos), to supplement a healthy diet and teach the value of preserving the natural environment. HIs recipe works! Casa do Boneco is a caldron of creative talent, tempered and seasoned with love and affection, mixed and stirred with the spirit of cooperation, then served with reverence to the creator and joy to all. Jorge's nuclear family; his wife and children, provide support and inspiration beyond measure. Without Jorge's wife, the basic infrastructure and business administration would collapse, not to mention her invaluable talents in wardrobe, make-up and styling. His son is a stand out in the "Puxada de Rede," depicting the toil of fishermen. Their daughter is the youngest in the group and simply the object of EVERYONE'S affection. (If you need a hug, she provides.)
I know the young people who participate and I know their families and this community, which is to say I am familiar with their hardships at home and the lack of resources offered by the community. Casa do Boneco is an alternative home and community, based on the highest aspirations of both institutions and it provides a positive environment in both aspects. There is no lack of love in this place and there is always a helping hand; always someone to catch you when you fall. The spirit of this group is the "magic" I keep refering to; the comraderie, the fellowship and sense of responsibility toward one another that provides a loving bond and the fuel that drives this group. Jorge calls the environment, "Quilombo," a mythical place where Brazilian slaves could enjoy peace and freedom, harmony and grace; I call it the circus of my childhood fantasies, a magical place where anything beautiful can happen when drums and dance invoke the spirits of Africa.
CONTACT:
Casa do Boneco Itacaré
Rua Praia da Concha, s/n - Concha
Itacaré - Bahia CEP: 45530-000
Tel: 73/3251-3417
email: casadoboneco@yahoo.com.br
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