BAHIA TRAVEL PROGRAM: Roots and Contemporary Development of Afro-Brazilian Dance & Music Workshop

August 1 – August 16, 2008
Package Price: $3395, based on double occupancy

Viver Brasil Dance and Music Programs (VBDMP) has designed an intensive 15 day trip to Salvador, Bahia, offering nine days of classes in which participants may choose to study Afro-Brazilian dance or percussion.  All participants attend song class for dancers and musicians. The program is enhanced with visits to Candomblé ceremonies, concerts, festivals, day trips and encounters with many of Bahia's most unique dancers, musicians, visual artists, researchers and culture makers.   You will have time to do your own exploring, sample Afro-Brazilian cuisine, have a cowry shell reading, relax at the beach, shop for instruments, gemstones, art and enjoy the magic of Salvador, Bahia. 

Salvador, Bahia– in the Northeast of Brazil–is the center for traditional and contemporary Afro-Brazilian culture.  Bahia is known for its Candomblés, Capoeira, Blocos afro and Afoxés–carnival groups that fill the streets with thunderous percussion and dance ensembles.  These artistic and religious (or spiritual) groups are the foundation of an important social movement in Brazil, educating Brazilians and visitors about Bahia's African roots.

This workshop includes nine days of dance or percussion classes in the dances and rhythms of the Candomblé orixas (sacred traditions); Afro-Brazilian contemporary dance and music, elements of Silvestre Technique; and a variety of folkloric forms including Samba de Roda and Maracatu; and carnival dances and rhythms such as samba reggae and samba afro.

The classes will be taught by many of Bahia’s top dance and music instructors:  Gilmar Sampaio, Mestre King, Rosangela Silvestre, Silvia Rita, Jose Ricardo Sousa, Nildinha Fonseca, Amelia Conrado,  and other special guest instructors.

Our itinerary in Bahia includes various trips and events that enrich participants' understanding of the history and context of these expressive forms such as:

• Visits to Candomblé ceremonies
• Rehearsals of Salvador's top carnival groups
• Lecture with Candomblé dance, music and history specialist, Dona Cici, from the Pierre Verger Foundation  
• Attendance at performances of the SENAC Folkloric Show, the Balé Folclorico da Bahia, and the Vila Velha Theater
• A visit to to Bloco afro Ilê Aiye's dynamic cultural center
• Tours to visual artists' studios and gem shops
• A visit to Terreiro Axé Opô Afonjá to meet Dona Detinha, orixa doll maker and storyteller from one of the most revered Candomblé Ketu houses
• Travel to Cachoeira for the Festival of Nossa Senhora da Boa Morte
• Participate in a traditional samba party at the home of Joselita da Silva.

In addition, many of Salvador's beautiful beaches are just a short walk and/or bus ride from our hotel. Hotel Marazul in Salvador, Bahia is located in the Porto da Barra neighborhood  directly across from the beach and a 15 minute bus ride to the Pelourinho, our workshop location.  The hotel offers a  delicious buffet breakfast  included in the package price.  Each room has a telephone, a mini-refrigerator, an air conditioner, a TV, and the hotel offers internet and laundry services, and has a patio area with a pool. Taxis and buses make regular stops in front of the hotel. Internet cafes are close to the hotel.

Just added!!! Day trip to the São Paulo Museu Afro Brasil. A must see museum before we arrive in Bahia! We arrive in São Paulo on August 2, freshen up in the airport, check-in our bags to Bahia and then go directly to the museum, (don't worry- we will stop for a snack!), lunch in a great restaurant and then return to the airport in the late afternoon for our flight to Salvador, Bahia! Our tour guide, Paula Santos will meet us in São Paulo for this great day at the Afro-Brazilian Museum. Read more about this important cultural institution in the LA Times link or visit the museum's website.

Viver Brasil Staff

Linda Yudin, co-leader, is a Los Angeles based dance ethnologist with two decades of experience studying, researching and working in Bahia.  She has developed a deep professional and personal involvement with its arts and spiritual community.  This is her 13th trip leading programs to Brazil.   

Rosangela Silvestre, co-leader is a world rewowned teacher, dancer and choreographer who has developed the Silvestre technique of dance training.  This is Rosangela's 8th trip as a co-leader with VBDMP and is enthused to share her native Bahia and its cultural traditions.

Paula Santos is considered one of Brazil’s most sought after tour guides.  Paula has been with VBDMP since 2001.  Her approach to cultural tourism and the study of Afro-Brazilian culture and history is intelligent, sensitive, creative, informative and socially engaging.

Viver Brasil Dance and Music Programs (VBDMP) was created by Linda Yudin. VBDMP is committed to providing its participants with a unique opportunity to experience Afro-Brazilian culture outside the usual tourist context.  Since 1997, more than 500 people have taken advantage of this opportunity and many return year after year. 

Registration Information &
Trip Options

Bahia Travel Progam package cost is $3395 based on double occupancy (upon availability). Hotel single supplement is available for an additional cost of $500. 

Registration for the travel program is available through Viver Brasil Dance and Music Programs.  Package price includes travel from LA, NY or Miami to Brazil, airport transfers, all course-related activities and events, translators, double occupancy accommodations (upon availability) and breakfast. If you are traveling from a city other than LA, Miami or NY, you will be responsible for flight costs from your departing city.

August 1–Depart to Brazil
August 16– Return to US

Travel Visas:  American travelers will need a valid passport and will need to apply for a tourist visa to Brazil at a Brazilian consulate.  A list of consulates and fees will be provided for participants.  Participants will be charged directly for all visa costs by the issuing Brazilian consulate. 

Registration Process

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Please complete the enclosed registration form and submit it with a $400 deposit.  Registration is not complete until the deposit is received.  Upon receiving your registration, we will send you an information package that will include general travel information, program itinerary, list of Brazilian consulates in the US, and flight information.  Please note that the itinerary is subject to change if necessary.  Some activities listed as "optional" on the itinerary are intended to supplement the established program.  An additional fee payable to the activity site may apply.

PACKAGE COST:
$3995 based on double occupancy (upon availability). Hotel single supplement is available for an additional cost of $500. 

PAYMENT DUE DATES:
$400 Deposit (check or money order) due upon registration.
Deposit is non-refundable.
Full Payment Due: June 15, 2008

PAY DEPOSIT NOW via PAYPAL:
($400 plus $12 PayPal fee) = $412

How To Reach Us:
Linda Yudin, Director
Phone:  323/465-4762 (Pacific Time)
Fax:  323/465-4741
Monday–Friday:  9:00am-6:00pm
lkyudin@mac.com
www.viverbrasil.com

Mailing address:
Viver Brasil
583 1/2 N. Windsor Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90004

Link to Newsletter - January, 2008