As opposed to a show, the "Samba Party" is more of a communal gathering, where Brazilian music enthusiasts share their love of samba drumming, dance, and culture — a kind of NYC take on the mega samba school rehearsals that precede Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro. This Springtime edition of the event will feature an official dance contest to select Samba New York's 2018 "Queen of the Drums” — A Rainha da Bateria. The event will also include a samba lesson with Brazilian dance master Danielle Lima and a set of live batucada by the Samba New York! Drum Section, under the leadership of Director, Philip Galinsky.
Founded and directed by percussionist/ethnomusicologist Philip Galinsky (a.k.a. Dr. Samba), Samba New York! is a world-renowned samba performance company dedicated to entertaining, educating, and uplifting people of all backgrounds with the exhilarating music and dance of Brazil. Having grown up immersed in Rio’s samba world, Danielle Lima is one of NYC’s foremost Brazilian dancers, teachers, and choreographers and founder of the Brasileirando Dance Group.