With support from the California Arts Council, Viver Brasil will provide free weekly Afro-Brazilian dance workshops that build a healthy, vibrant and resilient community by addressing African diasporic themes of racial equity, inclusion and social justice through the joyous dances and rhythms of Viver Brasil’s Afro-Brazilian repertoire. Through the participation of these workshops, the community will be invited to perform in designated parades, festivals and community processions in LA.
Samba in the Streets, VB’s free community engagement program teaches Afro-Brazilian traditional dances modeled on Blocos Afro, Afro-Brazilian parading organizations that introduce communities to Afro-Brazilian history through traditional and contemporary dance and music. Cooking Samba, VB’s signature family program is a narrated 45-minute show that include the royal orixa dances, riveting capoeira, joyful samba and Bahian carnaval with live music and an interactive dance workshop. Community Class, is a weekly Afro-Brazilian technique dance class led by founding artistic directors Linda Yudin and Luiz Badaro accompanied by live music. Dancing at the Source is a 15-day cultural immersion program to Salvador, Bahia, Brazil where participants experience: daily Afro-Brazilian dance, music, and culture classes taught by experienced faculty who are master cultural workers, that reflects VB’s role as a bridge between the U.S. and Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.