Kick Off Hispanic Heritage Month With Afro-Brazilian Music

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Join the Latin American and Latino studies program and the Multicultural Center as they get an early start on Hispanic Heritage Month with music, a reception and discussion on Friday, Aug. 31.

Musician Eldio Rolim, also known as Mestre Cabello, will inform and entertain attendees with his knowledge and demonstration of Afro-Brazilian percussion and Capoeira.

“Mestre Cabello is a master percussionist and a seasoned performer,” said Steven Bell, director of the Latin American and Latino studies program. “He’s also extremely knowledgeable about the communal and religious rituals and traditions of the African Diaspora in Brazil. He will give a small demonstration of rhythms and discuss Afro-Brazilian culture and religion and its relation to drumming.”

The demonstration and discussion will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the Multicultural Center in the Arkansas Union. It will be followed by a reception at 12:30 p.m. The day’s festivities will conclude with a discussion about Afro-Brazilian cultural traditions coupled with a lesson in some basic drumming rhythms at 1:30 p.m.

“This is going to be a wonderful way to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month,” said Kirstin Erickson, associate professor of anthropology. “Afro-Brazilian religion, culture and drumming are areas not often studied on campus, and we’re excited for this opportunity to host Mestre Cabello.”

The events are free and open to the public thanks to sponsorship by the Latin American and Latino studies program, the Center for Multicultural and Diversity Education, the department of music, the African and African American studies program, the Office of Diversity and Centrosul Capoeira Arkansas. For more information, please contact Lindsay Puente at 479-575-7186 or lpuente@uark.edu.