And the beat goes on (From Warrington Guardian)

And the beat goes on

INFECTIOUS street rhythms from the birth place of Samba electrified the audience.

International musician Giba Goncalves from Salvador in Brazil hosted an intermediate level workshop on samba reggae in Widnes.

Halton's very own samba band, Positive Repercussions welcomed nearly 40 samba players (Sambistas) from all over north west England and Wales to the Queens Hall.

Amazing

Organiser Stephen Murray, said: "It's absolutely amazing to have one of the leading Samba teachers and performers in the world come to Widnes and have the event so well attended.

"It really puts Halton School of Samba on the map. It's been a huge success."

Giba, who now lives in Paris, has developed his own type of samba known as Batala Samba Reggae. It originates from the Afro-Brazilian street rhythms of Salvador de Bahia in North Eastern Brazil.

The Sambistas performed what they had learnt during the day with Giba to an enthused crowd at the young musicians Fused night.

Greg Oldfield, who organised the evening, said: "They were amazing. It really got the night off to a bang.

"When they started playing, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up."

Halton School of Samba meets every Wednesday evening at the Queens Hall Studio, Widnes. Call 07766-666544 for more details.