I know it's been a long time since my last post, but life just has a way of catching up with us and making things more complicated than expected or ever imagined. Regardless of the reasons of my absence, I want to talk about more pleasant things, like samba.
I can't speak about samba without mentioning Silvana Sousa and her connection to Aquarela, my beloved dance group.
Also known as Neguinha Sambista, Silvana was born and raised in Brazil. She migrated to the U.S. but has never left her Brazilian roots behind. Her devotion to her culture is apparent in her daily involvement and promotion of the Brazilian culture. Through her dance classes, samba performances, and involvement in the Bay Area's samba community, she is constantly educating, guiding, and promoting Brazilian culture and the traditions of samba and Brazilian culture.
When she moved to the United States, she meet Maria Souza, founder of Aquarela Brazilian Dance Ensemble, and soon started dancing with the group. Through Aquarela, Silvana has participated in many local and international events and has gone on to dance for top Brazilian artist, such as Jorge Aragao, Grupo Molejo, Harmonia do Samba, Grupo Revelacao, Bete Carvalho, and Fundo do Quintal to name a few. During her time with Aquarela, Silvana has also been part of the Goldman Awards, Macy's Passport fundraiser, and was featured in Carlos Santana's Bay Area Supernatural Tour during "Maria Maria." Though full of accomplishments, she solidified her dedication and passion for samba when crowned San Francisco's Carnaval Queen.
Today, Silvana, through numerous accomplishments, events, accolades, and collaborations, has established her name as a top samba dancer, teacher, mentor, advocate, and lover of samba and the Brazilian culture. While she now occupies herself with the management and training of the Aquarela dancers, you can also find her and witness her energetic and captivating dance style at the San Francisco Carnaval parade, San Francisco Carnaval Ball, and other samba-related events.
And like other great dancers from the samba world, she is truly a force to be reckoned with and someone worth noting.
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