The Boulder Samba School is a non-profit organization, powered by volunteers from the community, that promotes the rich heritage of Brazilian music, dance, and culture. Founded in Boulder, CO in January 2009, it is the only organization of its kind in Colorado. We are the organizer of the annual Colorado Brazil Fest (coloradobrazilfest.org & www.facebook.com/ColoradoBrazilFest). Since 2012, the fe
stival has grown to be a four-day festivity filled with concerts, workshops, parades, and family-friendly back-yard BBQ parties. Bateria Alegria (www.facebook.com/BateriaAlegria) is the primary performing ensemble of the Boulder Samba School, composed of 20-30 percussionists. The ensemble plays percussion-based styles of music from Rio de Janeiro (samba batucada) and Salvador (samba reggae). The music incorporates a mixture of African, European, and indigenous influences and traditions. These styles of music are traditionally played during the carnival parades throughout Brazil and can be heard in Brazilian concert stages, dance clubs, neighborhoods, and soccer matches. The Boulder Samba School offers ongoing classes in Brazilian music and percussion for students of all levels and abilities, presents special workshops, sponsors clinics with guest Brazilian music teachers, and collaborates with various local dance troupes. In addition to the annual Colorado Brazil Fest, we also bring in Brazilian artists for special concerts and master workshops, either by ourselves or in collaboration with other arts organizations such as The Boulder Guitar Society (boulderguitarsociety.org) and Dan & Diane's Concerts (www.facebook.com/dananddianesconcerts). One of our biggest supporters is Intercambio (http://intercambio.org/). They are an amazing nonprofit organization supporting immigrants in the region and beyond. The Boulder Samba School would not be what it is today without their generous support.
