Artist Spotlights: Austin Samba, Combining Performing with Cultural Education

Austin Samba, a local band and dance group, encourages beginners to learn the foundations of the genre, teaching locals about Brazilian culture through performances all across Austin. 

Written by Claire Schulter

Photo courtesy of Austin Samba

The rhythm is fast and infectious, and the sequin-studded costumes dazzle, immersing the audience in a vibrant cultural experience. Over 100 performers make up Austin Samba, a local organization that combines musical artistry with a desire to share Brazilian culture with the city of Austin. 

In the 19th century, Samba began as a form of colonial resistance for enslaved Afro-Brazilians, particularly those with roots in Angola and West Africa. Portuguese colonial powers repressed African music and dance, so to preserve their cultural traditions, they morphed their Afro-Caribbean musical styles with local music to create a dance form they could perform freely. The stifling of African music and culture forced fusion between Brazilian, Caribbean, and African cultures, creating the electrifying movement and music style we know today. 

Performers of this syncretic performance divide into two central groups: drummers and dancers. Both groups hold weekly practices to teach new members and refine returning artists' existing skills. 

The beat is the soul of Samba, and Austin Samba's drummers do not take that responsibility lightly. The drum section, or Batería, is divided into levels based on experience and commitment. Beginning drummers observe open rehearsals and can join "new member boot camp" to learn the basics of playing with a provided instrument. These weekly Wednesday night boot camp meetings give students introductory instruction as they build community. It all starts with a militaristic beat, played on the caxia, a Brazilian snare providing an aggressive musical baseline. The surdo drum provides the bass. the light, quick sound of the timbal brings the characteristic color with quick beats for the dancers to follow. The higher-pitched percussion instrument creates musical balance, rounding out the deep resounding echo of the caxia. 

The music feels incomplete without the addition of the Dance Wing. Aside from captivating movement and kaleidoscopic costuming, the dance wing provides the electricity that makes Carnival legendary. Flashes of feathers and swirls of rhinestones flood the streets of Rio as hypnotic dancers match the quick rhythm. Samba dance almost gives the illusion of floating; dancers move with grace and speed. 

The structure of the Dance Wing mirrors the Batería; dancers are divided by experience and commitment. Rehearsals accommodate all levels of dancers and encourage involvement from the Austin community. Both Dance Wing and Batería strive to foster an inclusive environment, continuing the commitment to teaching beginners about the world of Samba.

The Batería and Dance Wing have multiple levels of performers, the most advanced being the "Performance Batería" for the drummers and the "Passistas and Malandros" for the dancers. These groups have the highest level of commitment, with less than 40 performers handpicked by directors based on their "skill level, knowledge of the material, and commitment to the school" performing at Austin Samba's largest gigs. Brazil Day, Hillside Theatre, and Mardi Gras are coveted performance opportunities provided to the Performance Batería, Passistas, and Malandros. 

For, at the heart of Austin Samba's mission is education. Samba is lauded as a cultural connector in Brazil, and Austin Samba believes in the music's power to connect cultures for Texans. Beginner lessons serve to cross cultural boundaries and incorporate all types of Austinites into Brazilian culture through music and dance education.Further, Austin Samba breaks down traditional barriers to entry, providing instruments, equipment, and a safe learning environment. Students lose nothing by trying out a new instrument; usually, leaving a comfort zone is a financial investment in addition to going out on an emotional limb. Guided by experts and surrounded by other people who are just starting, Austin Samba creates a low-stakes environment where people can freely do something new. Students are not just learning to play precisely and to hit each quick beat, but they are gaining a firsthand understanding of the connective power of samba.

Through their educational model, Austin Samba emulates the famous escolas de samba, or samba schools of Rio de Janeiro. Combining cultural and technical education gives Austin students an authentic experience, more than just music lessons. These Brazilian Samba schools train the best and brightest performers for the glitziest stage: Carnival. 

Carnival historically marked the final day of indulgence before Lent, a Catholic tradition of 40 days of abstinence. Carnivals began as simple costumed celebrations in the 10th century in Italy and spread across Europe before taking root in the Americas. The African influence in Brazil started shaping the modern imagery of Carnival through bright colors, patterns, and masks worn by dancers. Rio de Janeiro functionally shuts down for this five-day festival, and roads close entirely to accommodate miles of Samba performers. People come from all over the world, packed wall to wall in the streets, hoping to catch a glimpse of parades and performers. Drumming pours in from every direction, wrapping visitors up in the energy of samba. The city becomes one giant party, with music at the center of it all. Since I-45 can't shut down for parades and performers, Austin Samba brings little bits of Carnival to events across Austin. . The Austin Samba group plays at educational events, such as UT's Celebrate Latin American Independence or free shows at Zilker Park. At Austin Samba events, audiences dance and interact with performers; community engagement is a priority. The steady sound of the Batería fills the atmosphere as formations of drummers intertwine with dancers. The audience catches glimpses of glitter as the intricate costumes flit around the room. The performance remains electric and engaging whether the audience is a handful of students or a festival full of spectators. The group’s most advanced students have the opportunity to play at private events; they have been hired to play at parties and weddings all over the city. 

Austin Samba sees an inherent value in cultural experiences for the sake of education. The program hopes to make Austinites more culturally aware and allow them to participate in a style of music that brings them happiness. Its mission is "to bring the joy of Brazilian music and dance to Texas;" the group believes that public music performances are a positive and crucial experience. 

At Austin Samba, drummers and dancers combine to exchange cultures, music, and companionship. Even thousands of miles away from the iconic escolas and Carnivals of Rio, the colors and flash of Samba remain just as intoxicating.