Batala NYC
Batala NYC | |
|---|---|
 Batala NYC at the FlyNYC Kite Festival in Riverside Park | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | New York City, New York, United States |
| Genres | Samba-reggae |
| Years active | March, 2012–June, 2016 |
Between early 2012 and mid-2016, Batala NYC was the New York City branch of the international Samba-reggae project Batala Mundo. Batala NYC was officially founded in March 2012 with an initial membership of 16 women and eventually grew to a membership of over 65 women ranging in age from 14 to 70 years old.
Batala NYC performed with notable acts such as The Rolling Stones,[1] participated in events including the annual Honk NYC March Band Festival[2] and New York's Village Halloween Parade,[3] and took part in benefit concerts for One Billion Rising.[4] The band was also featured on the cover of Issue 11 of Tom Tom Magazine.[5]
History
Artistic Director Stacy Kovacs and Assistant Director Laura Torell first encountered members of Batala Mundo performing in the 2011 Brazil Day celebration in New York City.[6] Following this introduction to Batala Mundo and a growing interest in Samba-reggae, Kovacs and Torell traveled to Brazil in 2012 for Carnival in Salvador de Bahia. Over the course of their stay, Kovacs and Torell met with Batala Mundo founder Giba Gonçalves and members of the Afro Bloco Cortejo Afro. At the conclusion of their trip, Kovacs and Torell returned to the United States with enough instruments and costumes to start a small branch of Batala Mundo in New York City.
Batala NYC dissolved in June 2016. In September 2016, 49 of its former members formed a new iteration of Batalá in New York City, now operating as 'Batalá New York.'
Band Structure
As part of the larger international Batala Mundo project, Batala NYC subscribed to the mission of accepting members of all skill levels and musical experiences, and teaching them to play the rhythms and songs of Samba-reggae.[6]
Batala NYC’s Artistic Director and Assistant Director determined the musical and artistic direction of the band; the directors influenced choreography, musical numbers, and section structure as well as leading weekly rehearsals and book shows. On a macro level, directors were directly responsible to Batala Mundo founder Giba Gonçalves, who ultimately determined the musical and artistic direction of the band and enabled its continued existence within the umbrella of the global organization. The band was fiscally sponsored by Fractured Atlas and thereby accepted tax-deductible donations as well as grants.
Membership
One of only four all-female Batala groups worldwide, Batala NYC sought to create a safe and accepting space for female percussionists to practice and hone their skills, as well as connect with other women. Batala NYC sought to empower women in music, specifically the field of percussion. The band accepted women of all musical backgrounds and experience levels with the aim of teaching anyone who was willing to learn, thereby introducing a wider population to the musical and political history of Samba-reggae. The band was open to women of all ages.
Batala NYC was a volunteer group; all members and leaders participated on an unpaid, volunteer basis.
References
- ^ "Rolling Stones Star-Studded One More Shot". American Top 40 With Ryan Seacrest. December 17, 2012.
- ^ Brown, Ruth (October 11, 2013). "To the beat of their own drum: Street music fest promises surprises". The Brooklyn Paper.
- ^ "Garden of Delights Thrill at the Village Halloween Parade". NYC Parade Life. November 2, 2014.
- ^ "Look Who's Artistic Uprising on 7 February in NYC". 1 Billion Rising. January 23, 2015.
- ^ Abovitz, Mindy (Fall 2012). "Batala NYC: Bringing Samba Reggae to Brooklyn". Tom Tom Magazine.
- ^ a b Crystal (March 27, 2013). "Almost Famous: Stacy Kovacs, Batala NYC". AutoStraddle.com.
External links
- BatalaNYC featured performance at Joyful Noise by WFAE