Don’t get it twisted: It’s a concert.
But … there will also be a little yoga thrown in.
That’s the idea behind “Brazilian Voices: A Bossa Nova Yoga Experience,” coming to Fort Lauderdale’s Broward Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, May 17.
“We really would like the people to understand that there’s so many ways of listening to a concert,” said Loren Oliveira, co-founder of Brazilian Voices, a Weston-based nonprofit women’s vocal group and cultural organization.
Led by instructor Michelle Kirk, the concert/session does not require previous yoga experience, as all movements are optional and suitable for all levels, according to organizers.
The concept, designed by Dr. Anele Manfredini from the Holy Cross Medical Group Women’s Center, allows attendees to participate in the basic yoga moves on a mat (bring your own) or a chair. Manfredini felt inspired by the holistic approach of “Ayurveda, the mother of all healing, which started 5,000 years ago in ancient India,” Oliveira said. “And she is totally passionate about bossa nova.”
They chose bossa nova because of the music genre’s gentle and smooth rhythms and sounds. Singing bowls will also be incorporated into the performance, which is part of the Broward Center’s Amplify Arts Series.
“I don’t want to get too technical because the concept is going to be about feeling, absorbing, healing, understanding the different frequencies,” Oliveira said. “Sometimes we need more relaxing. Sometimes we need a little bit more energy.
“We just decided to allow people — between songs — to understand what kind of vibration, rhythm, frequencies they are absorbing with those beautiful voices because Beatriz Malnic, the co-founder of Brazilian Voices, she designed beautiful arrangements for first sopranos, altos, second sopranos, and beautiful harmonies that you feel. Sometimes our mind doesn’t get it, but the body does.”
The group will be accompanied by Brazilian acoustic guitar player Cezar Santana. “And he’s also, you know, a yoga instructor.”
Brazilian Voices
Weston-based Brazilian Voices will perform “A Bossa Nova Yoga Experience” at Fort Lauderdale’s Broward Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, May 17. (Brazilian Voices/Courtesy)
Through its Arts & Healing Program, Brazilian Voices has been coordinating performances and workshops in hospitals, medical centers, senior care facilities and with nonprofit health organizations for almost two decades. The group is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
“We were already doing concerts, but we felt that concerts was not enough,” Oliveira said. “Fast forward … we have a partnership with the arts and …11 hospitals. So, by doing this, we reach 29,000 people a year. We go to ICUs, Jackson Memorial … We go everywhere. We need to be … grass roots. We need to do something for our community.”
She said these experiences have taught them that bossa nova music is not only familiar to Americans, since Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald popularized the sound here, but is also inspirational to their audiences.
“The message is about love, about nature, waves, flowers. We can kind of uplift their spirits.”
“Brazilian Voices: A Bossa Nova Yoga Experience” will take place at 11 a.m., Sunday, May 17, in the Abdo New River Room at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Tickets (for a yoga mat or chair experience) cost $41.30. Visit browardcenter.org or call 954-462-0222.
Brazilian Voices
Brazilian Voices is a Weston-based nonprofit women’s vocal group and cultural organization. (Brazilian Voices/Courtesy)