All photos by Alan Taylor of Planet Vision

STOKE SAMBA - CHRISTMAS LIGHTS 2008 HANLEY, CITY CENTRE NOV 13th 2008 On 13th Nov 08, the new Samba group of Stoke On Trent led the parade as part of the City Centre "Christmas lights switch on!" event. Starting at the Victoria Hall and conducted by Mika De Oliveria, the Bateria played a Samba Reggea groove to set the pace and lead the many groups taking part in the parade. Following the parade route, the group passed through Union Square, the Potteries Shopping Centre and Tontine, to reach Fountain Square in the Centre of the City to perform in front of thousands of people gathered for the switching on of the Christmas lights. The performance was well received and members of the bateria took turns to stop and let the public try their hand at playing samba instruments! The performance ended at the main stage, where other acts started to perform, including World Champion darts player Phil 'The Power' Taylor who switched on the City Centre Christmas illuminations by hitting a specially-triggered dart board. The group, a partnership between Planet Sound Community Arts and Capoeira Arts Brasil has been rehearsing at Cartwright House since Sept 08, and aims to perform across the UK. The group will next perform at the Spectrums of Sound Showcase, Victoria Hall on the 14th Dec 08, and will be joined by top Sambista Bosco De Oliveria, and will perform the piece "Oatcake Samba". Bosco will be working with the group over the next few weeks in the lead up to the event. To see photographs from the event, click here for the gallery! Carnival 2008 links! Carnival report! / Gallery 1 / Gallery 2 Gallery 3 / Gallery 4 / Gallery 5 / Gallery 6 More Links! Oatcake Samba demo! Drumschool Website! / Sanity Fair 2008! capoeira-art-brasil.co.uk!! Planet Sound recordings & video on mypsace!