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, Guitarist
Solange Gomes: Lead Vocalist
Andy Medeiros: Composer, Vocalist, Guitarist, Drummer
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
Gabriella Nascimento
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
Andy Medeiros
Kira Medeiros
Madi Miller
Meadow Reimers
ORCHESTRA:
Danae Shin - Viola
John Shin - Violin
Ricci - Cello
Hugo Sanbone - Trumpet
Spencer - Saxophone
Patrick Buie - Trombone
Filipe Johnson - Guitar
Andy Medeiros - Guitar, Bass
Rafaela Kimie Nakamae - Vocals
Julia Riveira - 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 Brazil, the United States, Peru, Mexico, Turkey, Utah, France, and Canada. We have been building this community together, rooted in the 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. I regard this community as something very special, and I see that the center of the circle is a sacred, healing place. 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, 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
We Are Dancing On Stolen Land
We honor and celebrate the Original People of this land.
Act One
I Don’t Want to Live Without the Stars Anymore
Burning Goddess
Musical Composition by Mason Aeschbacher
Lamenting the loss of Earth-based tradtions, we honor the divine feminine and make an offering to the sacred.
Eleggua
Musical Composition by Mason Aeschbacher
“One candle can light a thousand so let your burn briighter.”
-G. Dane hess
Deixa A Gira Girar
“Let The Wheel Turn”
Song Composed by Os Tinçoes
Vocalists: Solange Gomes, Julia Rivera, Rafaela Kimie Nikamae
Oxossi
Song Composed by Roque Ferreira
Lead Vocalist: George Edgar Brown
Inspired by the Orixá “Oxossi,” protector of the forest
Act Two
Center Of The Victorious Mandala, One’s Own Body
Copa Tamborim
Rhythmic composition by Gustavo & Guilherme Oliveira
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 cure your loneliness…my Samba will touch the infinite… my Samba is of life, not of death.”
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 Timbalada
Vocalist: Solange Gomes
Act Three
One Candle Can Light A Thousand So Let Yours Burn Brighter
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 fourth from that class series.
Song: Ze Do Caroço composed by Leci Brandão
Vocalist: Andy Medeiros
Choreography by Gabriella Nascimento and Lorin Hansen
Full Lyrics Here
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
Full Lyrics Here
“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
Enter the Generosity of Silence to Hear your Hidden Heart
A Dancing Prayer For Peace
“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 HoraDandha
Choreography and rhythmic arrangement by Dandha Da Hora
Act Three:
To The One Heart And the Victory of Love
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.