Colorado Brazil Fest 2025

Colorado Brazil Fest is hosted by Boulder Samba School, the leading organization in CO dedicated to promoting Brazilian arts and culture. For Shows schedule please visit: https://coloradobrazilfest.org/ Colorado Brazil Fest Workshop Schedule Samba-Pagode Workshop with Alexander (Aug 9 Sat, 11:00AM-12:30PM) L ocation: Virada Studio (4919 N, Broadway Unit 38, Boulder, CO 80304) Want to hone your Samba skills? Check out this Samba pagode workshop taught by Alexander Saturday! Students will take a deep dive into different rhythms, the arrangement of the Samba sound, and how to create a vibe through a song. Beginning level and Intermediate level learners are welcome, prep for upcoming jams or camp! Alexander's Bio: For the last 20 years, Alexander has dedicated himself to performing, music, voice, and the music of Rio de Janeiro. Growing up as a Filipino/Euro American, he was always surrounded by music, singing and various instruments. While beginning a career in performing, he gave the early part of his life and education to music and theatrical training at schools such as Perry Mansfield and Denver School of the Arts. At university, Alexander learned samba music and culture from Francisco Marques, later spending summers playing with samba masters such as Jorge Alabé, Ronaldo Andrade, Alessandro Penezzi, Alessandro Cardozo, Moyseis Marques, and many others. These days, he spends his time performing and honing his craft, and is always happy to share the joys of music with those who have a desire to listen. Afro-Brazilian Workshops with Dandha Da Hora L ocation: Dairy Arts Center (Boulder Ballet Studio 1) Afro-Brazilian Percussion Workshop - (Aug 10 Sun, 10:30AM-12:00PM) Dandha’s Afro-Brazilian Percussion workshop invites students into the powerful world of Afro-Brazilian rhythms with a master artist and cultural bearer. Drawing from her deep roots with Ilê Aiyê, Dandha teaches traditional rhythms of Samba Afro, samba reggae, and other Afro-Brazilian styles in an engaging, accessible way. Afro-Brazilian Dance Workshop 1 - (Aug 10 Sun, 1:30PM-3:00PM) Afro-Brazilian Dance Workshop 2 - (Aug 13 Sun, 3:30PM-5:00PM) Dandha’s Afro Brazilian Dance classes are an invitation to explore the rich world of Afro Brazilian Dance traditions with a gifted and dedicated teacher. Her classes focus on folkloric and Orixa-inspired dance, Samba Afro, and samba reggae, as well as other Brazilian dance styles and feature live drumming. Dandha’s classes welcome students of all levels and backgrounds – everyone will find challenge and inspiration in her dancing and teaching! Dandha’s Bio: Born and raised in Salvador, Bahia, Dandha Da Hora has been a member of Ilê Aiyê, one of Brazil’s most important musical and cultural institutions, since she was 6 years old. In her teaching, as well as in her performances, Dandha invokes the incredible spirit of Salvaldor, Bahia, Brazil and of Ilê Aiyê. A master dancer and dance teacher, as well as vocalist and percussionist, Dandha honors the incredible gifts of her culture every time she performs. As a lead dancer with Ilê Aiyê and one of the lead vocalists of music group SambaDá (based in Santa Cruz, CA), Dandha has shared the stage with Brazilian stars such as Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil and Daniela Mercury. She currently teaches classes in the San Francisco Bay Area, and gives workshops around the country, as well as performing with the band SambaDá.

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