I was sitting right behind Sergio three rows back (we were early - 10 mins)

Also went up to Catagalo - the favela in between Copacabana and Ipanema beaches this week to discuss designs for girls AfroReggaeDigital T-shirts. There's a team of lovely ladies, seamstresses making beautiful clothes, in the As Criancas Esperanca building at the top of the favela. The building itself is amazing, real 50s concrete architecture, and houses various activities - basketball, football, circus, boxing, computers, radio, even a swimming pool. Looking over the pool is the most incredible view of Rio I've seen so far - beats even Corcovado or Sugar Loaf I reckon - with its steep mountainous backdrop, the lagoa on one side, Ipanema town and beach on the other. The sound of the kids having fun, splashin around in the bright blue pool, just added to the sense of beauty... will have to take a picture next time, unfortunately my camera had run out of battery - boo. Had a great lunch of chicken, rice and beans cooked from fresh and then caught the lift down to the streets of Rio (in record time). There is still the basic structure of a 5 star hotel, complete with lift, which got abondoned during building as the favela started to grow around it. The residents now use the lift, with permission, for (roughly) hourly intervals at morning, noon and evening to travel up and down from the favela. Handy when you've been doing the shopping.
The morning before Catagalo I went to the inauguration of the new Funarte president, where Gilberto Gill was also speaking. We were invited on the premise of an introduction to speak to O Signor Gill about AfroReggaeDigital although he was mobbed after the ceremony and we decided to leave it until another time - he is a great friend of AfroReggae so we hope to make him aware of the project at least.
Today I have been on the computer all day, with a break to sort out my visa. Have just done the latest report for 5Live - listen back for the next 7 days - it's the Up All Night programme, and am just about ready for bed before a day of workshops at Lucas tomorrow. Although DJ Premier and The Racionais at Circo Voador is tempting...

Ariane at the desk

Had another great week of workshops - it's so nice to see new kids at the lessons everyday. Our latest recruit, Pedro came in to take a look round on Wednesday and then stayed and learnt how to speak into the mic and edit his own jingles. He arrived shy and left smiling, which is what it's all about. Ariane is emerging as a real star and has nearly finished planning her first live show which airs next week.
In fact we're all gearing up for the first live shows on April 30th when the station soft launches. You'll be able to listen to the progress of shows on the website - expect broadcast to be shaky at first but by the time we go to press and hard launch on June 4th, to co-incide with the party on the 6th, we're hoping to have ironed out any creases. Check out the new website online at www.afroreggaedigital.com. Marky boy has done an amazing job putting it together - we've had to eliminate the flash element of the site because the connection is just not good enough here in Brazil to support it. We hope you like the new version too.

So the other big things that happened last week revolved around meetings... On Wednesday I met with Marcos at Canecão. Canecão is an old skool venue in Rio, been going for something like 50 years I believe, and puts all the biggest selling Brazilian acts on stage. It's opening a new club, around 300 capacity, on May 3rd right next door to its original venue. They'd just installed the light system when i went round, the sound was on its way. It looked like a swish warehouse, painted white with a bar area at one end and a small stage at the other as well as a chill out "room" just outside - perfect for an AfroReggaeDigital launch party! Yep it's happening - June 6th - to coincide with AfroReggae's birthday party the same evening (which stops at 10.30 when ours begins) - a party in Rio to inaugurate the station! We're hoping it's gonna be at Canecao - still awaiting another meeting to settle details but the initial meet was positive. Details to follow.
There will also be parties in Parada de Lucas, the UK (braps to Kase) and the US (braps too to Shobhan & Smash). Thanks also go out to Approach who are now handling our press here in Brazil and the team at Funarte who gave us loads of great leads after a really enjoyable meeting.
After all that rushing around I was glad for another bank holiday weekend this weekend. This time the Brazilians have been celebrating St Georges Day (hey is this fair?!) and I got a day off on Saturday chilling round Julianna's flat with some wonderful people and an incredible view of the Red Bull race...

Going out to the 1Xtra crew... just one of the many pieces of wicked graf out here

Last week we were also teaching daily workshops, which felt even more real now we've got a room of our own to teach them in, which comes complete with computers Dr Mark has waved his magic wand over - they're now fitted with extra RAM, sound cards and have all the software we need to broadcast and teach. We're establishing who the most passionate students are as well as welcoming new faces. The numbers started low per class at the beginning of the week - 2 or 3 - but climbed to around 6 by the end (6-9 per 2 hour class is our ideal). We'd never know which students were turning up for which class so had to freestyle a lot of the lessons, deciding what to do at the start of class as well as having to teach 2 or 3 different levels at the same time. During one lesson, Ariane started using her links and jingles in BPM and Junior got to grips BPM itself whilst Douglas and Fraser recorded and edited their first jingles. Couldn't have done it without the help of Helen Clegg - all round bad girl and ex-1Xtra Producer - who did a wicked job teaching the kids and who we're hoping will become a regular on the Parada de Lucas scene.

It's a family affair... one of the many curved bits

Horay! We now have a fully operating studio complete with hand crafted studio desk... Big big thanks to Wagnon and his son who spent time and attention on the desk. Not only does the desk look amazing it was also great to get it made locally, putting the money some of you guys helped to raise positively and directly into the favela.

Amanda getting stuck in with the material for the studio ceiling

Sending out love to you all... xx

The Boy!

The view from Sugar Loaf

Ok so I did write this yesterday but i'm hoping you'll lough me that...

So it’s been a while since I’ve written and apologies for that but yeah, you’ve guessed it, I’ve been run off my feet… Every time I see a clear space for updating my blog, writing you chatty emails or hell, just sunbathing for 5 minutes something comes up and I’m back at the hard graft. But now I’ve already done a days (and nights) work and I’m settling down with a good bottle of red (thanks Amanda!) to chat about the last couple of weeks. It could take a while so if you’ve got a sofa and a bottle-opener to hand, sit back, relax and uncork (not that I’m advocating drinking of course, oh no not me…)

I’m afraid I can’t even check to see what I last wrote because the server is down here in Rio, which happens a lot unfortunately. I am slightly concerned about the effect that will have on the radio station, but our meeting with Terra – an internet service provider in Brazil – should rectify that. We will be going to Sao Paulo to discuss options sometime in May. I’m also hoping to go to Sao Paulo for Skol Beats, an annual electronic festival which just happens to fall on the weekend of my birthday this year (May 6th just in case you forgot, the address of where I’m staying - Rua Joaquim Murtinho 587, Santa Teresa, 20241-320, Rio de Janeiro, RJ just in case you want to send any presents!). For those of you who know me you’ll know I dread my birthday (all that attention, all that pressure!) so I’m hoping a set from Fabio, Grooverider, Friction and D-Bridge will avert that dread. In true workaholic mode I might even try to get a show from them for AfroReggaeDigital. Come on Fabs you said you would!

So anyway with an absence of a start point I’m going to back track and start at the end – today. First off I’ve got to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRO who I’m sure is currently out somewhere enjoying himself – I love you homie – couldn’t have chosen a better brother. In true Sam style, you’ll get your present sometime when I’m back (ok call it Christmas for arguments sake – cool?! Mmwah!)

I woke early this morning, around 8.30 (for Brazilians working in media that’s early trust) and got straight onto the computer. It was great to get a chance to sit and type uninterruptedly for a couple of hours and do, oh the little things like write an email to the British Council, compile a worksheet on ‘Preparing Your Show’, synopsise the project for the Brazilian press etc that I just hadn’t had the time to do up until now. I took a break around 1pm to walk into Lapa (just down the hill) to buy credit for my phone, get some money out and do some food shopping. OK so this might seem sad, but the supermarket was the highlight of my day today. Primarily because it was the first time in ages that I’d had to myself but also because I revelled in the Brazilian imperfection of things. There are no shiny surfaces in supermarkets here, the trolleys don’t work and the apples are bruised but that’s real life and that’s how I like it! There’s something quite spiritual in choosing your apple from a heap of dodgy ones and not just picking up a cling-filmed pack of four from the shelf.

After Zen-ing it out for half an hour or so I chained myself back to the computer until 5pm when I had a 2 hour Portuguese lesson, and this is when I got depressed (yes I’m a third of the way through the bottle of wine now). I have to admit it’s the only thing not going quite as smoothly as I’d hoped – the Portuguese, which is why I’m taking lessons. It’s a difficult language, everyone says so, but my main problem is that I’m not speaking enough – why not I hear you cry, you’re in Brazil for Christo’s sake. Well I’m constantly working, need to communicate effectively with the (all English) team out here and when we have high profile meetings (with AfroReggae, press agencies, funding bodies etc) the Brazilians either speak English or we have an interpreter – unfortunately it’s more important that the correct message gets across than I practice my Portuguese. I was hoping to be able to conduct workshops solo by this stage but that’s just not the case. Again, it’s more important for the sake of the favela kids that we get someone fluent in Portuguese to help with the lessons – at the end of the day the success of their programmes and AfroReggeDigital as a result – depends on their understanding and grasp of radio. Do not fear though, I have another month to get it right… eu espero, voce espera, nos esperamos, voces esperam… and I’ve already got my Muito Bom down to perfection.

Talking of workshops, we have started giving two a day Monday-Thursday since yesterday. I am now going to Parada de Lucas every Monday and Wednesday whilst Max takes the Tuesday and Thursday groups and we both do Saturdays. We’re currently teaching the students about links (the talking in between music) and BPM studio (the software we’re using to broadcast the station) as well as preparing them for their first live shows from April 30th (Oh my god is it really that close?!?!). There’s a lot to do but I have every confidence in the kids (prove me right guys prove me right please!).

Max & I have also been interviewing this week for volunteer positions at the station. We aim to implement a structured volunteer programme to teach workshops after we leave. We are also advertising, locally as well as internationally, for a ‘Chief of Parties’ (I know what a great job title!) position to run the station full time from June – this position will include giving workshops as well as liaising with ourselves and AfroReggae, managing the team, sourcing new business and securing funding – if you know anyone who’d be interested please get in touch. The successful applicant must have a working knowledge of radio and be fluent in Portuguese. Management, teaching and IT-based skills are also preferred.

I can’t believe I’ve written so much and only talked about the half of what’s happened in the last two days. Suffice to say I’ll save time, ears, fingers and heads by synopsising the rest – mostly with pretty pictures. Just at the right time, the press has come back into play. Last week I managed to meet the deadline for an article for Jungle Drums – a wicked Brazilian magazine based in London. Publishing side by side in Portuguese and English it focuses primarily on music, explores Brazilian culture and touches upon social issues. Check it out at www.jungledrums.com. The article on AfroReggaeDigital goes out in the May issue – I’ll let you know an exact date when I do. Been too busy writing the piece, sourcing pictures and the rest I’d forgotten about that till now… Thanks – JD Release date – add to tingz…

Last week we also had the pleasure of Ali Wade’s company. Ali co-runs a non-profitmaking website covering music/film/art/leftfield culture at www.spannered.org. He came to Parada de Lucas with us, researching an article about AfroReggeaDigital. He’s also a Bristol boy living in Sao Paulo and randomly, knows Max, Mark and Ritchie from back in the day. That’s the thing about this place, and this trip, which keeps cropping up - there are random connections everywhere. Who’d have thought MC Gringo, who’d emailed me at 1Xtra after L Double broadcast backstage from Favela Feva, would be being interviewed when we first met in Rio and went to Rochina and Favelinha, by Natalie - an Austrian radio Presenter/Producer taking 3 months out of her job to study and report on Baile Funk, who would later fix us up with where we’re living now and was being visited by, Ariane, whom Uche from 1Xtra had sent an ‘SOS’ message to myself and Helen Clegg about for when she got to Rio. Who’d have known that Gringo would have played football with Carlbucci, the longest serving DnB DJ in Rio, who is the boyfriend of a friend of Bel’s, The lady who does the music programming for Guanabara, where the first Favela Feva was held. And how come Carlbucci’s MC is Mario Z whose studio you see was Maira’s plan B for a meeting with me after her initial plea, of getting involved in the project. And how come the same Mario Z a shit-hot MC who’s just happened to be getting closer to me without charging a fee or taking the p, is moving from item to object. So some of you have been asking and I might as well tell you now yeah I’ve got a boyfriend… and yeah you said it would happen and it did… He’s the sweetest most lovely boy I ever did meet and he’s already taken me to his beach house down the coast and taken us on a guided tour when Amanda and Mark first got here…sigh… so switch, Amanda came just in time for the Easter holidays and it was so great to see her (in fact I must thank her again for the state I’m in now) we chilled, chatted, ate chocolate and climbed Sugar Loaf. Mark – the superstar online magician technician, out here for a month for AfroReggaeDigital – had just arrived and for a day or two it almost felt like kids on tour, not quite sure if we had the backpacks on or not. We were all high though from a meeting we had a couple of days before with Jose Junior and the core AfroReggae team at their HQ. They are as excited by this project as we are, which was great to see… Long Live ARD!
(Now I must go to bed)