Axé Bahía returns to Peru: success, the tragedy that marked them, criticism for their sensuality and more

Tickets sold out in a few hours, a second date and social networks taken over by choreographic dances of their catchiest songs are clear signs that nostalgia sells the ticket office, especially when it is a reunion. The return of Axé Bahia to Peru to celebrate its 20th anniversary dusted off the fever for a nineties group that marked an era. The now Brazilian trio, made up of Flaviana Seeling, Bruno Zaretti and Francini Amaral, will perform on May 6 and 7 at Arena 1.

“It is incredible to see how after two decades, people still dance our choreographies, and the little ones are encouraged by their parents or older brothers to dance. For us it is a privilege after such a long time to be able to continue doing what we like”, says Zaretti.

“We’ve been wanting to go back for a while and this opportunity came up with a tour that for us is a rebirth. It will be an unforgettable reunion, we will dance to all the songs, but we will put together a different show in each countrySeeling explains.

Along with those responsible for hits such as “Kiss in the mouth”, “Alí Babá”, “Dança da Crank” and “Onda onda” will perform in our country, the Argentine group El Símbolo (“Raising hands”). Bolivians from Azul Azul (“La bomba”) will also be present at this festival of nostalgia and dance. From Uruguay, the ex-vocalist of Chocolate 2000, Charly Sosa (“Mayonesa”) will arrive. While Exporto Brasil, another shining name among axé stars, will also be present with the reunion of Paloma Fiuza, Brenda Carvalho and Thiago Cunha. Representing Peru will be Skándalo and Ana Kohler.

absences

The absence of Jociney Barbosa did not go unnoticed in this new phase of the Brazilian group. Bruno assures that this responds to personal commitments of the now capoeira teacher. “He is in another stage of his life, that is why he is not with us. With Flaviana and Francini we continue on television in Chile, and somehow it was easier to be the three of us; but he will always be welcome. Axé Bahía is your home”, he assured.

He also recalled the sudden death of Jeferson Barbosa, another member of the famous axé group, on April 22, 2016, at the age of 40. “So far we find it hard to believe that it is not. She left us that beautiful love that we will never forget. We always keep it in mind”, reflects Flaviana.

“He left an indelible mark on us. It was an example of improvement, a great incentive to grow, get ahead and turn adversity around. He wanted to go far with the group. When we started to sing, he insisted on learning”, warns Zaretti.

Indelible memories unite Axé Bahía and Peru. On the table at Bruno’s home there is never a lack of dishes such as lomo saltado or ají de gallina thanks to the fact that the person who helps him in his home is Peruvian. And not only did he bring him closer to our gastronomy, he also made him a great admirer of it.

Flaviana does not forget the first time she visited our country with her eldest daughter, then 15 days old. “Peru was the first show I did after my pregnancy. Today my daughter is 20 years old”, he agrees after remembering Brenda Carvalho as the person who replaced him during the last days of his pregnancy.

“I know you are living here. I’m glad you’re doing well. She is jovial, happy, funny, a whirlwind like me. That’s exactly why I chose it. No other applicant had his charisma“, remember.

sacrifices

During the most critical and productive stage of Axé Bahía: of great tours, trips and innumerable presentations, its members lived with success, but also with sacrifices and privations.

“It was a nice stage, but very exhausting. We had no life, our commitments were too many. We lost our adolescence working, many times without sleep or sleeping in the airport, as homeless. Despite this, I would not change what I experienced for anything”, recalls Bruno Zaretti.

While the popularity of Axé Bahía spread throughout the world and the number of fans grew indiscriminately, at the beginning of 2000, also reaching children, there were those who criticized their dance and clothing.

“In fact, we began to take care of the way we dress, but the dance was maintained, because it is one thing to make dance sensual. Another, very different, is to sexualize it”, says Flaviana.

Finally, the good moment that Axé Bahía is going through stands out. And he clarifies that it is not a “resurgence of the genre because we were always current”.