São Paulo Celebrates National Samba Day With Extended Program in December

SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL – The National Samba Day is celebrated on December 2nd, in tribute to one of the most traditional Brazilian rhythms and for this reason, it is hosting a special and free program in the city of São Paulo. Throughout the month the city is celebrating the relevance of the genre for the construction of the national identity, with emphasis on its development in the capital.

Held from December 1st, the celebrations feature more than 65 activities, including concerts, samba circles, seminars and movie sessions at 47 points in all regions of the city.

On December 2nd, the city’s noblest cultural venue, the Municipal Theater, opens its doors to the musical genre. ‘Sambando no Municipal’ (‘Samba in the Municipal’) features ten hours of performances, including shows by Fabiana Cozza, Germano Mathias, Demônios da Garoa, Nãnãna da Mangueira, Thobias da Vai-Vai, the Velhas Guardas das Escolas de Samba Nenê de Vila Matilde and Camisa Verde e Branco, the Mocidade Alegre drums, among other attractions. The initiative gives continuity to the work of bridging the gap between the Municipal Theater and the multicultural nature of São Paulo, by diversifying the venue’s agenda.

The stage, hosted by masters of ceremony actor and samba player Ailton Graça and journalist Claudinha Alexandre, also honors artists such as Carlão do Peruche, Ideval Ancelmo, Laurinha da Embaixada Nenê Vila Matilde, Maria Helena (Rosas de Ouro) and Oswaldinho da Cuíca. In addition, valuing the history of São Paulo’s samba, the Municipal Secretariat of Culture bestows the plaque ‘Memória Paulistana’ (“São Paulo’s Memory”) on Lavapés, the longest-running samba school in the city, founded in 1937.

In the outdoor area of the theater, from 10:00 AM, samba circles and performances by singers such as Jurema Pessanha and Adriana Moreira and the Feitiço de Mulher Group will be held. In the theater’s noble hall, the genuine ‘choro’ (instrumental Brazilian popular music genre) of the Regional Mistura – Chorinho Silvillí is performed.

In partnership with SPCINE, the Samba Day also features movies on the SpcinePlay streaming platform, starting on December 2nd. There are two documentaries: “Samba à Paulista” (2007), by Gustavo Mello, and “Lavapés: Ancestralidade e Permanência” (2017), from the research group on Performativity and Education of UNESP (São Paulo State University).

Access the complete program through this link.