With support from the California Arts Council, Viver Brasil (VB) can build on its tradition of offering a master-level dance class at no charge to low-cost, donation-based to Angelenxs from all walks of life. Since our inception in 1997, VB has embraced a socially engaged artistic approach to how we represent and share Afro-Brazilian culture and ancestral wisdom. We stay tethered to our spiritual and cultural elders in our sister city, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil and yet also work to remain socially responsive to the needs of the most disadvantaged communities of LA. Our free Community Class has served as a lifeline for many residents, meeting a clear healing justice need especially in light of recent pandemic conditions. With CAC’s generous support we will provide this rich experience to over 1,000 Angelenxs during the grant period.
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.

