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Thursday, May 7, 2015

DanceAfrica Spotlight: Balé Folclórico da Bahia

Photo: Wendell Wagner
Become immersed in the enthralling culture of Brazil when Balé Folclórico da Bahia makes its BAM debut as part of DanceAfrica 2015: Brazilian rhythms. African roots. Performances take place on Memorial Day weekend, a DanceAfrica tradition, May 22—25 at the Howard Gilman Opera House.

Balé Folclórico da Bahia, based in Salvador in the northern state of Bahia, is the only professional folk dance company in Brazil. It was founded in 1988 by Walson Botelho and Ninho Reis, and is now under the artistic direction of José Carlos Arandiba. Its dancers, musicians, and singers perform a unique blend of dance theater drawing from Bahian folkloric traditions, including Carnival celebrations, samba, capoiera, and slave dances.


Photo: Wendell Wagner
The company gave its first performance in 1988 to an audience of 20,000, garnering acclaim and further invitations to perform. It first performed in Europe in 1992 at the Berlin Alexanderplatz International Festival, and in 1994 performed at the Biennale de la Danse in Lyon, France, to which it returned in 1996 and 2000. Balé Folclórico da Bahia has performed worldwide to enthusiastic, large audiences. Come see why!


DanceAfrica 2015, the nation's largest festival dedicated to African dance, returns for its 38th year May 16—25.

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