Chama Do Coração
The Burning Call Of The Heart
This Evening’s Program
We Build Community With Music And Dance
SAMBA FOGO IS:
Lorin Hansen: Artistic Director, Dancer, Choreographer
Mason Aeschbacher: Musical Director, Composer
George Edgar Brown: Composer, Vocalist, Cavaquinhist
Solange Gomes: Lead Vocalist
Andy Medeiros: Composer, Vocalist, Guitarist, Bassist, Drummer
Gabriella Nascimento: Dancer, Choreographer, Dance Instructor
Julia Rivera - Drummer, Vocalist
GUEST ARTISTS:
Marivaldo Dos Santos, Percussionist
Rosangela Silvestre, Dancer
Junior Moraes, Dancer
DANCERS:
Tamara Cotour
Karla Galvan
Gabriella Figuccia Gourdin
Dane Hess
Karinna Huidobro-Waddoups
Fernanda Januario
Dawn Levingston
Caleb Mathis
Chantelle Murakami
Mary Laura Newman
Kirsten Oliver
Patricia Calzado Real
Lennie Swenson
Hande Togrul
Constance Nicolas Vellozzi
Ashley White
Mandy Williams
DRUMMERS:
Isaias Alavez
Tyler Chen
Penny Davis
Basil Harb
Patrick Mac
Kira Medeiros
Madi Miller
Meadow Reimers
Noah Waldman
ORCHESTRA:
Danae Shin - Viola
John Shin - Violin
Hugo Sanbone - Trumpet
Spencer Kellogg - Saxophone
Patrick Buie - Trombone
Filipe Johnson - Guitar
Rafaela Kimie Nakamae - Vocals
CREW:
Jeff Gwilliam - Lighting Designer, Production Manager
Daniel Maland - Sound Engineer
Phonsavanh Banphraxay - Fire Safety Head
Christopher Edgar - Fire Safety
Alex Dikwa Nkrumah - Stage Manager
Chris Gould - Stage Manager
Josh Samson - Filming & Livestream
Upcoming Events
A NOTE FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
We are Samba Fogo. We are from Brasil, the United States, Peru, Mexico, Türkiye, Utah, China, France, Laos, and Canada. We have been building this community together, rooted in the rich Brasilian Samba lineage, for over 20 years. Throughout these years we have learned the power of sharing of ourselves, being vulnerable with each other, and learning together.
We Burn Brighter Together
We regard community as powerful, and know the center of the circle to be a sacred, healing space. Samba music, these rhythms, dance movements, stories and songs, they heal us. They bring us together in mutual love, growth, and understanding. Everyone in this group is grateful to be part of something larger than ourselves, to learn from Samba masters and Brazilian cultural arts traditions, to be connected with our community, and to share with you here tonight.
The word “Chama” in Brasilian Portuguese translates as both “Flame” and “Call.” This show is about exploring the language of heart - hearing our heart’s song, and developing the ability to hear and honor that burning call inside each of us. It is my hope that you share in our sense of joy, connection, and rooted lineage in this, our 14th Spring Concert here at the Rose Wagner Center,
Chama Do Coração - The Burning Call Of The Heart
“In Order To Be Born, We Must Dance”
-Rosangela Silvestre
LET US HEAR YOU!
Feel free to make noise, clap or sing along, or get up and dance if you feel moved!
We Dance On Stolen, Sacred, Sentient Land
We honor and celebrate the Original People of this land and look to them for guidance, education and direction on how we can best steward and tend this land we call Home.
Act One
BE/LONGING
One Candle Can Light A Thousand So Let Yours Burn Brighter
Burning Goddess
Musical composition / improvisation structure by Mason Aeschbacher
For this year’s opening piece, we explored the concept of the “little red dress.” We discussed the symbolism, meaning and associations with the red dress in our culture today, and what sort of assumptions people make about women who wear little red dresses. We compared this with the knowing that red itself is a sacred color that holds power and is often used in ceremony. We had conversations about our personal longing for ritual, belonging, and connection with the Earth. We spoke about our ancestors and their Earth-based traditions, because we know:
We Never Dance Alone
Our ancestors are always with us when we dance. We discussed the history of attacking powerful women and the violent attempts we see globally to disempower women and erase Matriarchal and Goddess-based traditions, including the countless women burned at the stake in Europe during the witch trials. We created an altar together, with performers contributing meaningful items. Our altar contains beloved plants, objects and foods to honor our family members, lineages, ancestors, and the rich abundance of the Earth. At the center, we place a Goddess, to honor the power and divinity of women, and to acknowledge the history and current state of violence against women.
Eleggua
Musical Composition by Mason Aeschbacher
Vocalist: Julia Rivera
“One candle can light a thousand so let yours burn brighter.”
-G. Dane hess
Deixa A Gira Girar
(Let The Wheel Turn)
Song Composed by Os Tinçoas
Vocalists: Solange Gomes, Julia Rivera, Rafaela Kimie Nikamae
Lyrics & Translation
Oxóssi
Song Composed by Roque Ferreira
Lead Vocalist: George Edgar Brown
Inspired by the Orixá “Oxossi,” protector of the forest
Act Two
When We Dance, Our Feet Speak With The Land
"Dance when you’re broken open. Dance, if you’ve torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of the fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance when you’re perfectly free.” -Rumi
Copa Tamborim
Rhythmic composition by Gustavo & Guilherme Oliveira, Escola De Samba Mangueira, paired with choreography by Lorin Hansen
Adepto do Samba Sincopado
“I’m a fan of the sincopated samba. Brave, mischevious, samba that’s hard to bear.”
Song composed by Jorge Aragão
Vocalist: George Edgar Brown
Choreography by featured dancers, Mandy Williams and Caleb Mathis
Toque De Timbaleiro
A popular song by the band “Timbalada”
Song composed by Nem Cardoso and Timbalada
Vocalists: Solange Gomes and George Brown
Act Three
Fire Walk With Me
Chamada
Musical Composition: “Ande Comigo” by Andy Medeiros
Samba “Fringe”
In the Summer of 2024, Samba Fogo dancer Gabriella Nascimento taught a 6-week “Samba Heels” course. This piece sprang forth from that class series.
Song: Ze Do Caroço composed by Leci Brandão
Vocalist: Andy Medeiros
Choreography by Gabriella Nascimento and Lorin Hansen
Lyrics & Translation
A culturally significant song, known for its strong message of resistance against anti-blackness and classism in Brazil.
I Need To Find Myself
Song: Preciso Me Encontrar by Cartola
Vocalist: Rafaela Kimie Nakamae
Lyrics & Translation
“Let me go, I need to walk. I’m going out to search - I laugh so I don’t cry. I want to watch the sunrise, see the waters of the river run, hear the birds sing. If someone asks about me, tell them I will return only after I find myself.”
Act Four
Literacy Of The Heart
Enter the Generosity of Silence to Hear your Hidden Heart
-John O’Donahue
Muito Obrigado Axé
(Thank You Very Much, Life Force)
“Throw your weapons aside. Play. Throw a party, bring the orchestra, make a Samba."
Song: Muito Obrigado Axé composed by Carlinhos Brown
Vocalist: Solange Gomes, Julia Rivera
Dance Soloist: Rosangela Silvestre
Dandha
Choreography and rhythmic arrangement by Dandha Da Hora
This piece begins with an offering to the ocean, and acknowledges the healing power of the sea.
Act Five
To The One Heart And the Victory of Love
Marivaldo
Rhythmic presentation by Marivaldo Dos Santos
Samba Meu
(My Samba)
Song composed by Maria Rita
Vocalist: Solange Gomes
Dance Soloist: Constance Nicolas Velozzi
“My Samba will heal your loneliness, my Samba will wake you from your slumber. My Samba doesn’t want to see you so sad. My Samba will heal the pain that lingers. My Samba will make her dance, it is the perfect Samba for you to sing. My samba is of life, not of death. My samba—come here—brings good luck and celebrates everything that is beautiful. My samba does not scorn the eccentric. My samba will reach into the infinite. My samba is full of flair, not of shouting.
My Samba is of life, not of death.”
Samba Batucada & Enredo
Our evening culminates in a celebration of culture, community, and collective joy, with our Samba Batucada choreography and drum arrangement by Gabriella Nascimento, Alvaro Reys, Lorin Hansen, and Mason Aeschbacher, followed by our official group song, “Samba Fogo” written by George Edgar Brown.
“This flame that burns in my heart.
Calls me to the heat of Samba.
It’s the glow that makes the darkness part.
The light that clarifies my path.
It’s expression, it’s culture, it’s art.
It’s magic brought from Aruanda.
From black and white ashes.
From all suffering of yore.
A phoenix is born, flaming and resplendent.
A fire burning at the break of dawn.
It is Samba, it is Fire,
Samba Fogo captures my heart.
The fire catches and it is contagious.
It is happiness, it is euphoria, it is passion.
The fire sparkles, a wondrous marvel
Spreading the culture of Brazil.
All of our effort, our blood, tears and sweat,
all our labor meticulous and arduous,
is the glorious fuel that drives our Samba Fogo.
Say it again. It’s the culture of Brazil.
It is Samba, it is Fire,
Samba Fogo captures my heart.
The fire catches and it is contagious.
It is happiness, it is euphoria, it is passion.
Like a fever, Samba warms my body
A radiating heat fully consumes me.
It is Samba. It is Fire.
With much ardor I will exalt your name.
IT IS SAMBA FOGO.”
Lyrics by George Edgar Brown
It is Samba. It is Fire.
Samba Fogo captures the heart.
The fire catches. It is contagious.
It is happiness. It is euphoria. It is passion.
Sing With Us:
É o Samba. É o fogo.
O Samba Fogo arrebata o coração.
O fogo pega. É contagioso.
É alegria. É euforia. É paixão.
— Lyrics by George Edgar Brown”
Samba at the University of Utah
University students and non-students alike can now learn Samba drumming at the University of Utah, through the Percussion Department at the School of Music. Our Fall semester course is called Global Music Ensemble and it’s open to all levels, with drums provided. Sign up this Fall and come play some Batucada drums with us!
We Thank Our Partners & Supporters:
SAMBA FOGO SEEKS
BOARD MEMBERS
Our 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Charitable Organization is seeking new board members to join our team! If you are inspired by what you see tonight and you feel you have skills to contribute, please consider joining our Board of Directors.
Email Artistic Director Lorin Hansen at Lorin@sambafogo.com for more information.