BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — The driving sound of a drumline reverberated all the way from Brooklyn Bridge Park to Henry Street on a recent Sunday, drawing visitors to the Harbor View Lawn first to watch, then to join in a live performance with the group Fogo Azul.
If you missed the experience, don’t despair — Fogo Azul will return to Brooklyn Bridge Park on Sept. 8 from 2-5 p.m. for a final Open Studios performance and drumline workshop in partnership with Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy.
Fogo Azul specializes in high-energy Brazilian Samba reggae — a mixture of Brazilian Samba de Roda and Jamaican Reggae with deep cultural roots.
“We had a rehearsal, and we’re doing a public workshop here in the park,” Teresa Donohue, a band member for six years, told the Brooklyn Eagle. “We invite members of the public to come try the drums, explain how to play and teach them some basics.”
After just a few minutes of instruction, dozens of park visitors shed inhibitions, donned drums of various sizes, and rocked the park with drumming enthusiasm.
Fogo Azul translates to “Blue Fire.” Called one of New York City’s most powerful performance groups, the all-women, trans and non-binary drumline was founded by Stacy Kovacs, with co-founder Dany Johnson, and can be seen — and especially heard — at parades and events across the area.