SambAsia-Brazilian Beats for Beijing Streets

For those who have been yearning for a vibrant hobby and a chance to pound a drum with a small community of impassioned Chinese and foreigners, SambAsia might be the answer.

UCCA in Beijing's 798 Art District is well-known for exhibits, festivals, lectures and classes, but the SambAsia beginner's drum circle offers a bit of creative release for those willing to try percussion.

Andrea Hunt has more:

In a back corner of Ullens Contemporary Center for the Arts, a deafeningly infectious beat is simmering. Starting with one drum and ending in a unifying climax of rhythmic thumps, the energies from each drummer fill the room.

The name, SambAsia is a contraction of the words samba and Asia, explains the director and class instructor, 32-year-old Beijinger Xiaoyong.
When playing samba in a group, each drum is equally important, says Xiao.

"When you play by yourself on a single drum or a drum set, you express only yourself. But when you play with other people, everyone brings a piece of themselves to the group. Their energy, their emotion and passions unify into one atmosphere when everyone is playing. As human beings, we're all part of the society and if you simplify it, the samba group is a little society, everyone brings happiness and we share that together."

A drummer of many years, Xiao used to play in local Chinese rock bands, but samba gave percussion a group dynamic. Many associate samba with the famous dance from Brazil, but samba actually includes singing, dance and group percussion like the kind taught here today.

Jinyang is a graphic designer from Beijing. Today is his first class ever, and even though he's never played other musical instruments, today he's decided it's time to try out drumming.

"I like music and Baxi-Brazil. I think all the people together they feel so happy and I like the music and the beat, it's really good."