Once again, VamoLá is delighted to host Bloco Pacifico, the gathering of samba musicians & dancers from all over the West Coast, and beyond.
Our theme this year is Waves of Change: Water as Defiance, Connection, Survival. Please read through the full document above to understand the theme and significance of each section of the parade.
The parade is Saturday, June 20 @ 1pm.
Meet at 11am at our Staging Loation, near 3rd Ave NW & 36th. You can also use this map.
Workshop Times:
Drummers
This year we have a special guest teacher! Stay tuned on WhatsApp for more details.
We strongly encourage folks to participate in all of the workshops, or as many as you can. You need to attend at least 7 to be in Solstice, including all of the last 3, to play in the parade. If you can't make it to enough workshops, contact a music (bateria) director to make alternate arrangements.
The first two workshops, on May 13 and May 20, are ‘Open’ rehearsals, aimed at introducing people with no/minimal experience to the Solstice music and Brazilian instruments.
Workshops will be May 13 & 20 and June 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 19.
June 14, 17, and 19 are required.
Stay tuned on WhatsApp for exact times and locations.
We want to encourage everyone interested to learn and play, but you must know the musical arrangement and your instrument’s technique in order to perform in the parade.
Our music directors and section leads will be giving constructive feedback over the course of the workshops, covering both the music and your instrument’s technique. We want you to learn both in the workshops and when you practice at home.
Dancers
For dance choreography and concept, are lucky to have the US Samba Queen Deise Costa right here in Seattle.
Dance workshops will be May 24 & 31, and June 7 & 14 from 3:30 PM - 5 PM, stay tuned on WhatsApp for the location.
The final 2 rehearsals will be June 17 and 19, and are strongly encouraged for preparing for the parade.
Baianas and Kids
Baianas and kids are welcome to join the passista workshops and the final 2 rehearsals.
Note For Out of Town Folks:
If you're traveling to Seattle, we're excited to have you! A couple things to know:
We understand you can’t come to the Seattle workshops. You must attend the June 19 dress rehearsal. In addition, you must be part of a Brazilian percussion group in your home city that is in contact with the VamoLá music directors. Alternatively, you can contact the directors individually to make arrangements. We want everyone who’s able to learn the music to come and play with us!
Lodging - If you’re looking for lodging, you’re in luck! Seattle sambistas have historically opened their homes to host folks from out of town. Contact Dev (info@vamola.org) if you need a place to stay.
Rides - People come from all over. If you need a ride, contact Dev (info@vamola.org) and he'll put you in touch with other folks coming from your area.