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Sambista Profile:

"The Samba Luna Story"

Confessions of a Samba Dancer

Through the years, Escola Nova/Estrada Real's dance wings have been graced by principal dancers Luna and Dina. As Carnaval crowd favorites, they have been frequently featured by photographers and the news media. Luna has also created costume designs as well as produced costume pieces for herself, the dancers and the Bateria. In this page of Estrada Real's web, we get up close and personal with this veteran Sambista.

Rick Telesforo:

How long have you been a member of Estrada Real and how did you hear about us?

Luna:

I've danced with Estrada Real/Escola Nova since 1991. I had been a Carnaval spectator since 1987 and after four years of watching, I decided to be a participant. My friend, Eva Martinez, and I were both going through divorces in 1991 and we decided to put our energy in learning dance and being part of Carnaval. She found an ad for Estrada Real (then headquartered at Brady Street), we checked it out and decided that this was the samba school to join. I'm glad I made that decision because being part of Estrada Real has changed my life. As a sambista I've increased my self-esteem, boosted my confidence, and fulfilled my childhood dreams of being a dancer. I've met so many wonderful people and have incredible memories because of Estrada Real.

Rick Telesforo:

Describe the feeling of your first Carnaval parade. How did react when you first realized the size of the crowds?

Luna:

The first parade experience was unbelievable! It was stressful, exciting and exhilarating all at the same time! I was such a lousy sambista and so out of shape. I used to think that I'd never learn how to dance, I was so bad. But Josephine Morada was so supportive and encouraging that I kept at it. The first time I was in Carnaval I really didn't know how to samba at all. But it was such a blast, experiencing the audience's revelry. Hearing the cheers, seeing all the smiling faces, watching as the crowd moved and clapped to the drums. From then on, I was hooked. Turning onto Mission Street from 24th, seeing the ocean of faces, the street awash in color, alive in sound. Lord, there is nothing, nothing like the joy you feel knowing that the thousands of people are lined up to celebrate this event. And you're in it! You absorb this vibrant energy like a sponge. It's so inspiring, you want to move your best, sing your best, play your best.

Rick Telesforo:

What was your most memorable Carnaval?

Luna:

All nine parades are vivid in my mind. I remember the ones that were cold (like 1996, I had the skimpiest costume ever and we had to wait so long for our stage performance) and the one that was really hot. I wore a Porta Bandeira costume, which is this really heavy satin dress. That day we got to our spot at 10:00 a.m. and didn't move until 2:00 p.m.! I was so overheated in that costume! My most memorable Carnaval was 1992. I finally learned how to do a basic samba after a year of lessons. It was the first time I wore a thong bikini ever and I made sure I got in shape, so I worked hard that year. Estrada Real was a really big contingent that year, and my goddaughter started dancing as well. That year turned out to be the most memorable because I was finally confident in myself as a parade participant. It makes a difference when you know what you are doing!

Rick Telesforo:

How do you prepare for a parade in Carnaval morning?

Luna:

Oh, can I give you tips on getting prepared for Carnaval! I've been doing this for nine years, so I've got it down pat. Carnaval is not just a one-day event for me. I literally start, at minimum, six weeks ahead to get my lung capacity up because I have asthma. The hardcore preparations start days ahead of the parade itself. A few of my suggestions: Don't eat bloating foods 48 hours before the parade if you are going to wear a bikini. So that means no pasta, no rice, no wheat products, no cauliflower, broccoli or beans. Really, I take all this seriously. It's like getting ready for a marathon. But if you're not wearing a thong, you can eat whatever you like, so that's a good reason to be in the Bateria! I have a confession for you---first time in print! I work so hard to stay in shape because I think my tiny samba costumes are so pretty. My Spanish-speaking friends call it a fantasia. Wearing the skimpy costume is so different from my real life it's really like fulfilling a fantasy. I feel as if, for one afternoon in the year, I get to be a star. Several times Dina Santana and I have ended up on television. This never ceases to amaze me because literally hundreds of people are in the parade every year. But Dina and I, camera hounds as we are, manage to get our 15 seconds of fame on broadcast news. Okay, so much for true confessions, now back to preparatory tips. The night before (when I used to make my own costumes I'd be up until 4:00 a.m. doing last minute adjustments or embellishments), you do a costume and shoe check. Try on your costume to check that it fits the way it's supposed to and use shoes that are already broken in. Carnaval is no time to start wearing new shoes! Make sure everything is ready. Prepare a bag of parade supplies. In that bag you should have sun screen, chapstick, hair pins, a camera, a mirror, safety pins, band aids, pain relievers like Advil, a Power Bar and water ready. If you have allergies, bring kleenex and your allergy pills. If you're an asthematic, bring your inhaler. Don't forget comfortable shoes to change in and something to slip into after the parade. Believe me, you don't want to be walking around the Mission in a thong during the post-parade partying. I'd urge you to bring a friend to hold your stuff, especially water. You'd be surprised how much water you'll need. Arrange a carpool. What I've done for years is to carpool with a bunch of people and use two cars. One to leave at the end of the parade and one to take you there in the beginning. The day of, eat a hearty breakfast. Remember, you're going to be dancing for at least two hours straight for almost three miles. Treat your body well! Eva and I usually eat pancakes, fruit and maybe egg whites for protein. But don't eat a lot of fiber or you'll be sorry!

Rick Telesforo:

Who is the REAL Luna? Your Carnaval or day-to-day persona?

Luna:

The real Luna has multiple facets. I'm a native San Franciscan. I'm a single mother of a 19-year old. I'm really proud of her. I can go on and on about Nicole. She won't dance in the parade (she thinks my costumes are scandalous) but she's helped carry water for years. Two years ago, as we were parading down Mission Street, she hooked me up with a KTVU reporter at Carnaval and the subsequent television interview was a source of scandal at work and church for weeks. Dancing is my pleasure. Besides samba, I take hip-hop and rueda (circle salsa) classes. I have a day job as a publicist for a government agency that regulates air quality. I love my job because it's exciting, I'm always learning and I'm doing something to help the environment. Performing has helped me at work as well, because it gave me the confidence to deal with public presentations, do radio and television interviews. I mean, if you can dance almost naked in front of hundreds of thousands of people -- you can do just about anything! I do want to point at that Jim Sowers; the King of San Francisco Carnaval 2000--who was kind enough to acknowledge me in his King web page--was a key person in introducing me to other genres of dance. Namely Rueda, Salsa and Soca.

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