Brazilian Maracatu Drumming Workshop with Baque da Abelha

This is a drum and music workshop for people of all ages and abilities who are interested in playing music together. Maracatu music comes from Recifie and Olinda in the North East of Brazil in the State of Pernabuco.

This workshop will be 2 hours long teaching some of the basics of maracatu rhythms with time to learn a few songs. Maracatu consists of large wooden drums, called the alfaia, a metal bell, known as the gounge, snare, a caixa in Brazil and a minero, a metal shaker or shekere/agbe, a beaded gourd. The drums accompany songs, which are played as part of the carnival parade each February.

The workshop is led by Tom, the director of Baque da Abelha (*rhythm of the bee in Protuguese) which has been running for 2 years in Brighton. Tom has been learning, playing and teaching maracatu music in the UK for over a decade. Tom's maracatu journey began in Manchester in 2010 with Juba do Leão led by Holly Prest. When Tom moved to Brighton in 2018 he joined Maracatu Cruziero do Sul, led by Paul Dodd, further developing his understanding of this music style. In 2025 Tom accompanied Baque de Axé, led by Sam Alexander, as part of the Nottinghill Carnival.

The workshop is 1-3pm at Audio Active Moulsecoomb Place, Lewes Rd, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 4GA, on Saturday 24th January 2026.

To learn more contact Tom at baque.abelha@gmail.com