Folks of Fogo: Helena

Drum: Surdo

Pronouns: She/Her

Borough/City: Forest Hills, Queens

How long have you been a member of Fogo?

It'll be 5 years in the Fall.

Why did you decide to join Fogo Azul? What was the catalyst?

I decided to join after seeing their entrance at Brasil Summerfest at the Hester Street Fair. I could hear them from outside the park and then they turned the corner and entered in 2 rows, and it was glorious.

Did you have drumming or musical experience before joining Fogo? If so, what?

First I played agogo with Maracatu New York, then tamborim with Samba NY (and sometimes with Manhattan Samba) before joining Fogo Azul.

As a drummer/musician, what do you enjoy about being in this drumline?

We get to perform a lot, and we do some axé music which I love to play.

What attracted you to drumming?

I broke my wrist in 2016 so playing agogo and tamborim was like a continuation of physical therapy. I switched to surdo when I came to Fogo Azul because I like the power of the big drum.

What has been the most interesting place you’ve been to because of Fogo?

Playing Carnaval in Salvador - that's something I never imagined doing and now I've done it twice.

What do your friends and/or family think or say about you drumming with Fogo?

Everyone thinks I'm a badass. I especially love that my son thinks that about me.

What have you learned about yourself being in this drumline?

I have a lot of stamina. I drum the long parades in NYC without needing a break and when I was in Brazil this year, I played 3 days of Carnaval in a row. Pretty impressive for someone turning 65 this year.