We are so excited to share an amazing example of McLarty Scholars participating in a wide variety of exciting and engaging opportunities in their academic, professional and personal lives. They are a dynamic and diverse group of active citizens, creatives, purveyors of cultural and more. Recently, 2015-16 Scholar Mara D’Amico showcased her commitment to dynamic and diligent citizenship performing in Batalá, Batucada for Cuba: From Brooklyn to Brazil.
Mara performed with this Afro-Brazilian percussion group at the “Artes de Cuba: From the Island to the World” festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. Batala is an all-female drum and percussion group that pays tribute to the roots of Caribbean and Latin drumming traditions.
The “Artes de Cuba” festival is a celebration of the rich art and culture that have emerged from the Caribbean island. The festival gathers Cuban and Cuban-American artists from the island and the Diaspora to share and celebrate the artistic influence from Cuba. Batalá’s performance celebrates Afro-Brazilian rhythms, which have similar West African roots as many Afro-Cuban rhythms.
We’re so proud of Mara representing McLarty Scholars, dedicating herself to enriching culture through the arts. The full performance can be viewed here. Mara, who plays snare drum for the group, can be seen in the middle of the back row.