Gurnard May Queen Parade – Newchurch Village Fair – Walk the Wight – Gaffers - All Saints School Fayre – Samba Bus Tour - Shalfleet Primary School Fayre – Ryde Beach Soccer Finals – Wedding in Gurnard – Samba Workshops in All Saints Primary and West Wight Middle Schools - St Saviours Church School Fete - Sandown Carnival - Cowes Week
Welcome to Fat Samba!
A Welcome note from your Chairman:
Platform One brought samba to West Wight late in 2003, introducing
many to the exciting carnival rhythms of
The ethos that we have always adhered to
is in perfect keeping with the Brazilian spirit – The music is central to the
band and we are open to others joining in, (A Samba band would traditionally
parade through the streets and people would join in along the route). We all have our individual styles and this
uniqueness is what makes Fat Samba special. We are seen as an open band that
welcomes others.
When you first
join the band you may feel a bit overwhelmed by it all, but with time you’ll
begin to feel the grooves and playing
along will become a lot easier. Please
ask for help if you feel you are drowning, or have not understood what the band
leaders are explaining. We want to help
you become part of our band and it is important that you feel you are able to ask for help!
Members under the
age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Ear protection must also be worn during each practice session and during
performances. Ear plugs are provided
free of charge, by the Band.
Our website has its own members section which
aims to help members learn the grooves and keep them informed about oncoming
events, socials, etc. Please
ask Chris Newman,
our site’s webmaster, if you need any help with the site. (Chris plays the
big, Low Surdo drum). We play several grooves
which are yet to be recorded and placed on the website. These will hopefully
be available by the end of this year. If
you do not have access to the internet please let me know and I can provide
you with a printed copy of our gig lists and newsletters.
Hear us on YouTube - search for FaT Samba...
You can also
borrow a CD - (a DVD training disc is available too, for £3) - both of which will be helpful in learning some of the grooves we
play.
Keith is our treasurer. If you are 16 or over please give Wendy your £2.50 per Rehearsal Session attending, for your subs. Under 16's are 50p each and under12s MUST be accompanied by an adult. The subs, along with performance fees, help to
pay for the band’s instruments, their repairs, T-shirts, fancy lights for the
illuminated carnivals, hall hire, insurance, socials, etc.
If you would like
your own Samba T-shirt or cap,
please speak to Anne
Hinton (who plays a High Surdo). You can choose from her large range your own
colours and style! These T-shirts are subsidised by the Band to members.
As a band we aim
to use the winter months to practice our grooves ready for the summer season,
when we unleash them upon the
We are fortunate
to have Chris Jones as our leader.
Chris plays in many
Congratulations
for ploughing through the above! Any
other questions - please feel free to ask me – I’m Paul, the tall, skinny one with receding hairline who occasionally
stands out front, leads the band and just doesn’t stop talking!
May your time with
Fat Samba be exciting, challenging and rewarding! You know you’re hooked when everyone around
you tells you to stop tapping!
If you need to
contact me please phone 759570, or go to the contact page on
the website.