Lubolos, Murgas, Parodistas...oh my!!!

A couple of nights ago I finally went to see a show at Teatro Verano. It was the final night of the first round of the competition for carnival groups (Lubolos, Murgas, Parodistas, Humoristas, Revistas).

I was excited to go, since C1080 was performing, and they opened the show. This is essentially music theatre with candombe drums and characters.

Each group performing in the candombe category, called Lubolos, has to perform certain styles. This first one is called Afro:

The guy in the fedora is Waldemar "Cachila" Silva. A candombe legend.

 Tambores accompanying the dance of the Mama Vieja

(Old Mother) and the Gramillero (Medicine Man).

The escobero, broomsman.

 In addition to C1080, there were two murga groups, and one parodista ensemble. Unfortunately I didn't take any pics of the parodistas, but I hope to catch a show during the second round of the competition, and will do my best to get better shots.

Murgas are amazing choruses, lavishly dressed, and accompanied by a snare drum, bass drum, and cymbals. Their lyrics are usually political or social commentary/satire, but with these amazing vocal harmonies. I barely understood anything lyrically, but it's such amazing groove. They're also just fun to watch.

La murga Momolandia.



Percussion for Momolandia. Cymbal players have all the fun!

La murga Diablos Verdes.

Just learned today that I'm headed to Salto and Artigas (in the north of Uruguay) this weekend with Mundo Afro. The future holds geothermal pools, candombe drumming, and I believe asado. Will update next week.