Introduction – This is the Full article (abridged version appeared in The Grapevine Magazine)
This is a little sharing about my experience during my first trip to teach dance in Brazil which I hope you enjoy.
As I stepped off the plane, after a 12 hour flight, in São Paulo I felt the vibrant energy of the country embrace me and I embarked on a thrilling adventure of teaching at the prestigious Encontro Brasileiro de Danças Circulares Sagradas festival. I had an incredible experience and made so many connections that made this festival such an unforgettable journey for me. It was truly a special experience which I had to write about, it has truly inspired me.
Warm Hospitality and Incredible Connections
From the moment I arrived, Renata Ramos, one of the masterminds behind this fantastic festival, welcomed me with open arms and genuine enthusiasm. We instantly connected, sharing laughter and stories that formed a beautiful bond. Renata’s partner Marcos was always there to help with anything I needed alongside Sonia Lima, Andrea Leoncini and the rest of the team, certainly a well oiled organisation. This enthusiasm really inspired me from the moment I landed, how the team worked as one united family, preparing bags and T-shirts for the guests, even down to water bottle markers for everyone… a lovely touch and very helpful for me during the week.
And guess what? I also had the pleasure of meeting Fido Wagler! We have only previously talked online, he is a dance community icon and I can certainly see why. I met Fido at breakfast the following morning where I instantly recognised him from behind and he was just as I presumed he would be, a joyous bundle of fun and a great conversationalist. Also a wonderful person to dance with. At last I watched Fido teach the ‘Polonaise’ which I am obsessed with but have never taught yet. It was fascinating and I can’t wait to teach it one day.
It was also great to hug all the people I haven’t seen in a long time who usually come to Findhorn once a year. Meeting so many people who normally come to The Centrepiece online was amazing and proved that their friendly and loving spirit online and in person were the same. This was such a sweet and tender moment where I could actually hug people such as, Tania Herbsthofer who had made so many lovely pictures for the Centrepiece and Lize de block whom I have had amazing conversations with on Zoom. It shows what a life saver Zoom really was and to feel these souls in person was even more amazing.
Hotel Terras Altas: A Sanctuary for Dance
Our journey led us to the Hotel Terras Altas, a serene retreat centre that set the stage for the Encontro Brasileiro de Danças Circulares Sagradas. Stepping into the hall, I was captivated by the majestic drapes, which chronicled the festival’s 21 year history where all the others that have taught during the previous years are displayed such as Judy king, Barbara Swetina, Nanni Kloke and many more… How special it was for me to attend in this capacity. The vibrant centrepiece, a Water & Horizon theme, a true Brazilian masterpiece added an extra touch of grandeur. The organisers poured their hearts and souls into creating a space that celebrated Sacred Dance and the global community. I felt extremely honoured to be part of this extraordinary gathering. The retreat centre was so lovely and very nice to spend time in with lots of familiar faces from the Brazilian circuit, I felt at home right away. Sonia Lima and Andrea Leoncini made me feel part of this joyous family and checked in with me on a regular basis making sure that I was able to understand all the teachers, and with Frances Rose by my side translating it was such a smooth experience, I felt totally looked after and at ease.
Honoured to Teach and Connect
As a headlining teacher, I felt a mix of excitement and gratitude. Guiding dancers through the realms of Scottish Ceilidh and Sacred Dance was a tremendous honour. This festival provided a nurturing space for artistic expression and personal healing. It was here that I found the courage to let my voice soar in song after two decades of silence, igniting a healing journey. The support and trust from all those who joined me on this path in Brazil meant the world to me.
As my dance Caledonia was being performed I was asked to sing a little during the ‘White’ night (everyone was dressed in white) so I decided to take up the challenge as I felt totally relaxed during the festival. As I walked around the circle of faces I was so happy to see my friend Shams and she was able to share with me that special moment of singing, it had been such a long time since I have sang solo. It was also great to hangout with Shams at her home after the festival.
I really enjoyed Calling a Ceilidh, how wonderful to have the chance to share my culture with Brazil and teach them the Highland Schottische amongst the other Ceilidh dances. Amanda Huttl, a friend who I originally met in Findhorn, was a wonderful dancer partner for the Ceilidh and to mirror some other dances, she was great.
My other notable dances which I taught were ‘Celtic Thunder’, a great dance by Mark Wyut, and Friedel and Saskia’s dances ‘Turkish Lights’ and ‘Yemana’, I had so many dances that I wanted to teach that never reached the floor but I am so happy with what we achieved and everything felt just right. My process is to be with the spirit of the place and all of the dances fitted perfectly, so my first time headlining a large in person event was a lovely and tender experience.
Dance and Joy
The dances were the heartbeat of the festival. The energy in the room during Mark Wuyts’ choreographed dance “Celtic Thunder” was simply electric. Every step, every movement filled the air with pure joy. And let me tell you about a magical moment I experienced: dancing hand in hand with Fido Wagler. Together we swayed to the mesmerising rhythm of his version of ‘Ruby, My Love’ in a spellbinding Kalamatianos. There were so many moments of connecting with everyone it was just magic. One other moment was when myself and Renata dressed up in fancy dress and were dancing to Moana with everyone joining in, we were all connected spiritually and as one body of dance, I so love moments like this.
Unforgettable Themes
The festival also featured captivating themed nights which added an extra layer of magic to the experience. We all adorned ourselves in white attire, merging as one to engage in meditative and choreographed dances. The unity and serenity in the room created a profound sense of harmony. Also dress up Ball Night, I think we would call it a ‘Fancy Dress Ball’, this one’s theme was inspiring people and places/films/books. I dressed as a composer from the Baroque Period. Such fun outfits and lots of joy with quite a few well known faces! A few witches and even Harry Potter! The whole theme which ran through was New Horizons, the centre was themed to be water and we had a session of making boats with pencils which will be donated to a local school. We also had other sessions such as the Transformation Game. These sessions really helped us find our New Horizon, all the themed activities fitted perfectly. A lecture about community ventures which was enlightening.
Exploring São Paulo’s Vibrant Culture
Oh, São Paulo, what a city! Renata took me on a day tour which allowed me to immerse myself in her world. We indulged in some lovely cuisine, and marvelled at the breathtaking views from Renata’s flat, the vastness of Brazil stretched out before us, which left me in awe of the beauty that surrounded us. We both agreed that urban cities can be fantastic for mindful walks and tours. We also had a day at Renata’s dance studio where I had a chance to try my new dance for her Findhorn Flower essence project. I was given Thistle for courage which is very very dear to me, and I hope to have the dance on my YouTube channel in the near future.
Looking Ahead
As I reflect on this incredible dance adventure, my heart is filled with gratitude for the experiences and connections I’ve made. The Encontro Brasileiro de Danças Circulares Sagradas festival will forever hold a special place in my heart.
Here’s some exciting news: I am thrilled to announce that I will hopefully be returning to Brazil in 2024 to continue sharing the joy of dance and teaching, some lovely friends have offered for me to come and teach in a few areas so it could be an interesting year.
I totally recommend attending this festival and experiencing it at least once, the next dates will appear on Renata’s Facebook page and also Encontro Brazilairo’s Facebook page.
Connect with me to learn dance @ thecentrepiecesessions@gmail.com
The Centrepiece is running every two months so why not join us online globally around the world @ www.brantbambery.com/the-centrepiece/
Brant Bambery 