I didn’t see “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou” when it came out in theaters, but my roommate did. He liked the music in the film, which featured a Brazilian sailor whose character sings Bowie tunes in Portuguese. Or so my roommate told me. Anyway, he liked the music so much, he bade a friend traveling to France to pick up the CD released abroad (but not in the U.S.) featuring tunes by the actor/musician who played the part of the sailor. Thus I was introduced to the music of Seu Jorge. I like him so much, I sat for hours in Central Park this past Sunday, braving sunstroke and dehydration and the sweaty, scantily-clad, jiggling Brazilians to see him perform. Lordy, was it worth it.

A couple of acts preceded the main event. The smooth and feisty Alex Cuba Band played and tried to rouse the wilting crowd. I felt pretty bad that they weren’t getting a better response—they were quite good—but it sure was hot on the green Astroturf in front of the stage. Scheduling the sonorous guitar strumming of Jose Gonzalez immediately after was probably a mistake. He seemed the kind of musician who’d be perfect in an intimate dive bar, where wisps of outlawed cigarette smoke curl in blue lights and lounging patrons fix their eyes on his intricate fingerings and angelic facial expressions.

I couldn’t even see his face, with all that sweat streaming into my eyes. Plus, I was buried in the crowd. No one paid attention to him; couples and groups settled into idle banter, waiting for the main act. It was then that I discovered how good French fries and beer taste in the hot sun. It was later that I discovered how surly I get when I’ve had nothing to eat all day except French fries and beer.

SummerStage is wonderful for the superb performers it brings to New York’s Central Park each summer, many of them for free. Hakim, the Lion of Egypt! Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats! Okay, there are actually some you’ve heard of: Ani DiFranco, Lyle Lovett (who, with His Large Band, blew me away last year), MIA, Fiona Apple. But those shows end up costing you upwards of $30 or more. It’s the obscure or under-the-radar performers that people really should aim at seeing. They’re free (though donations are highly recommended), and fun, and often draw specific crowds.

And the crowds, my friends, are often just as worthwhile to go watch. Especially those hot, hot Brazilians. (Another gathering of Sao Paolo–friendly folk will take place Sunday, August 6, from 7 PM to 9 PM for the 4th Brazilian Film Festival of New York: This Is Bossa Nova, Lenine. Did I mention they do films at SummerStage? And readings? And dance? Gads, why would you NOT go?

Right. It’s outdoors, so attendees are susceptible to inclement weather and solar radiation. If getting wet or developing skin cancer bothers you not at all, grab some friends, a blanket, some grub (food at the event costs you, and isn’t as nice as a pasta salad and sandwich and fresh fruit), plenty of water, and enjoy the event.

I certainly did. As Seu Jorge shook his dreds during his numbers, the crowd shook booty a-plenty and clapped and sang along. Three percussionists did a funky tambourine set that mesmerized everyone, and Seu crooned everyone into a gentle sway during his slower numbers. The pot smoke rose in the evening air, and I said a prayer under my breath for Brazilians, hot summer afternoons, and a little rhythm to mix them together.

Share This

This entry was posted on Friday, July 7th, 2006 at 8:59 am and is filed under Events, Music. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.