Colorado Brazil Fest Workshops 2023

Samba-Pagode Workshop with Alexander (Xande) - (Aug 14 Mon, 7:00PM-8:30PM)

Want to hone your Samba skills? Check out this Samba pagode workshop taught by Alexander (Xande) this Monday evening! 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!  

Location: Virada Studio (4919 N, Broadway Unit 38 , Boulder, CO 80304)

Xande'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.


Samba No Pé (all-levels) Dance Workshop with Emilce Parga (Aug 12 Sat, 11:00AM-12:30PM)

Location: Dairy Arts Center (Boulder Ballet Studio 2)

In this ALL Levels class you will learn Samba no pé the art form danced specially in Rio de Janeiro.

Emilce Parga is an Argentinian dancer who fell in love with Brazilian samba and carnaval. She is a ballerina, a dancer in the Carnaval of Rio de Janeiro, a dance teacher and a professional ontological coach. Emilce spends months in Brazil each year studying and working with dance. She has been a passista of the GRES Paraíso do Tuiuti samba school in Rio since 2020. In addition to developing as a teacher and dancer, she has trained as an Ontological Coach and Ayurveda body therapist in order to to accompany the learning process of those who enter the language of Samba from a more holistic perspective.

Forró (all-levels) Dance Workshop with Luciana Da Silva (Aug 13 Sun, 11:00AM-12:30PM)

Location: Dairy Arts Center (Boulder Ballet Studio 1)

Luciana Da Silva: Native Brazilian Luciana da Silva shares Brazilian dance with audiences and students around the world as presenter, collaborator, performer, and teacher. Join Luciana where femininity, rhythm and authentic culture meet a need for fun and human connection, where women and men long to develop these qualities in their dancing, and where children and seniors want to learn the joyful culture of Brazil.

Afro-Brazilian Dance Workshops with Dandha Da Hora

Location: Dairy Arts Center (Boulder Ballet Studio 1)

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!

Afro-Brazilian Dance Workshop Part 1 - (Aug 13 Sun, 1:30PM-3:00PM)

Afro-Brazilian Dance Workshop Part 2 - (Aug 13 Sun, 3:30PM-5:00PM)

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.

Dance Workshop Location:
Dairy Arts Center: 2590 Walnut Street Boulder, CO 80302

Boulder Ballet Studios 1&2 are located at the Dairy Arts Center