Jack Straw Productions and Hamilton International Middle School
Cultural Confluences of Carnaval

During the Winter of 2006, students at Hamilton International Middle School worked with teachers and artists-in-residence to learn about the cultural components of Carnaval as it is celebrated in various parts of the world. They created their own community Carnaval celebration. Then students in Mr. Barilleau's 7th grade International Performing Arts class worked with audio arts professionals from Jack Straw Productions to produce reflective radio shorts about their study of this example of cultural geography.

Major funding for the Carnaval celebration and the creation of the radio shorts was provided by the National Geographic Education Foundation. The Brazilian and Mexican artists-in-residence for this project were funded by the Washington State Arts Commission through a grant to the International Arts Consortium. Thank you!

Click on the track number to read and listen to the radio shorts.

Track 1 ~ Origins and Evolution of Carnaval

Track 2 ~ Carnaval Music in Bahia, Brazil

Track 3 ~ Capoeira, Dance, and Costume in Brazilian Carnaval

Track 4 ~ Carnaval Mexico

Track 5 ~ Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Track 6 ~ Carnaval at Hamilton

Track 7/8 ~ The Big Easy/Project Credits

See a video of the Carnaval celebration at Hamilton International Middle School, February 2006 (Track 6) (There may be a short delay as the video loads.)