Miamibloco Bateria Saideira
In the middle of Suénalo’s birthday set at Miami Beach Bandshell this past winter, drumming erupted from somewhere in the crowd. Guests craned their necks and stood on picnic tables to view the commotion as cheers went up, and anyone not already dancing to Suénalo started moving to the rhythm of this percussive ambush.
suOm Francis and Brian Potts by Osmany Torres
It wasn’t a rogue drum line crashing Suénalo’s birthday jam. It was Miamibloco, the village-sized hometown percussion ensemble, just doing what they do so well: captivating a crowd with pulsating diaspora beats. Members of Suénalo regularly perform with Miamibloco.
If you missed that appearance, you are in luck: Miamibloco is returning to the Bandshell for the fourth Saideira Social on Memorial Day weekend Saturday. More than 50 percussionists plus special musical guests will convene to play the rhythms of Africa, Brazil and the Americas that make Miami Miami, with a focus this year on Cuba.
Miamibloco co-founder suOm Francis says she created the Bateria Saideira as a celebration of life with its very own sonic time capsule. “Every Saideira Social, we develop never-heard-before special compositions with local and international guest artists spanning an extensive range of musical genres from rock to experimental jazz,” Francis tells PureHoney.
Munir Hossn by April Nicole
Miamibloco’s shows pull audience members away from their screens and into the dance space for a rhythmically transporting experience. “At our shows there is no divide between the musicians and the audience,” Francis says. “This is a once-a-year, high-energy, deeply cultural party on the beach that’s irreplaceable, and it’s Miami AF!”
The Saideira Social emerges every year from an extensive period of harmonious community-building — immersive workshops and thunderous weekly rehearsals (at a local beer garden) that anyone can join. (Check Miamibloco’s Instagram for details.) This year’s Social will also feature the Brazilian multi-instrumentalist Munir Hossn, Latin Grammy-nominated Rose Max & Ramatis, Brazilian percussionist Boka Reis, Anemoia, The Lab and other guest performers.
To get you ready, there’s a Saideira Social 2024 Vibing playlist on Miamibloco’s Spotify. PureHoney readers get 30 percent off admission with the code “HONEY”at Miamibloco’s online ticket counter.
Miamibloco’s fourth Saideira Social kicks off 7pm Saturday, May 25 at Miami Beach Bandshell in Miami Beach. miamibloco.org/socials-landing-page ~ Amanda Moore
