Drummers, dancers, and any or all mid-Lenten partiers had best get their butts up and down early to the High Noon Saloon for Madison's seventh annual Brazilian-style Carnaval this weekend. Last year's party in late February was overflowing with masked revelers, which is why this year's celebration will be held over the course of two nights of what organizers promise will be overflowing with "music and mayhem."
Carnaval at the High Noon kicks off on Friday. The offerings include a Capoeria demonstration, Brazilian pop by Trio Eletriko, and a joint performance by The Handphibians and the Massamba Dance Company. The party on Saturday, meanwhile, begins with a traditional samba de rode dance performance, and will continue with another joint drums-and-dancing show by The Handphibians and Massamba, along with acoustic Brazilian tunes played by Pagee Go Go.
This final group on the line-up is a seven person dance-oriented band based in Madison that plays multiple varieties of Brazilian tunes, including samba pagode, samba bossa nova, and forro. "Our music includes percussion, guitar, cavaquinho, and vocals, and is traditionally played around the table in the back yard," is how Pagee Go Go describes itself. "It is upbeat, spontaneous, and guaranteed to get your feet moving."
The band is no stranger to Carnaval in Madison, having played the party at the High Noon for three years running. It has also played at many other festivals around town since forming in 2002, including a show at the King Club last summer titled "Summer SambaFest." A live music video of Pagee Go Go performing and the audience dancing at from this summer show in the now-departed club follows.
More music by Pagee Go Go can be found on its MySpace page. The band is also getting ready to release a new album this spring, and will be playing a release party on Saturday, April 5 at the Brink Lounge.
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