Salt Lake City, Jan. 4--Brazil holds a special place in Alex Ortiz's heart: when he drove across the country to move from Miami to Salt Lake City in early 2008, with little more than his car and a few suitcases full of clothes and dreams, he had no idea how much Brazilian culture would shape the first year of his new Utah residence.  He quickly found a home with the members of Salt Lake Capoeira, led by the globally renowned and three-time winner of the Brazilian Capoeira Confederation Championships Mestrando Jamaika.

More than just a form of intense physical exercise or self-defense, Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that intricately weaves elements of song, music, and dance into an artform with a rich cultural heritage and tremendous origin story.  Mestrando Jamaika's welcoming, upbeat, and energizing Beginner's Class (held Monday and Wednesday nights at the Utah Arts Alliance Studio, 2191 S 300 W) exposed him to the vibrant "Axé" (Portugese word for energy, pronounced "ah-shay") of Brazilian culture.  Capoeira also introduced him to the delightfully talented Brazilian Rhythm and Dance group Samba Gringa.

On January 2, 2010, Samba Gringa treated Dance Is A Feeling partygoers to a staggering, high-energy live performance of Brazilian percussion and dancing, one of many in a string of performances by the notable non-profit, community-oriented drum line.  The group, which performs "in the spirit of the Escolas de Samba (Samba Schools) and Blocos of Brazil" in large numbers throughout Utah, brought the entire club to its feet with their Sambas, Batucadas, and interactive dancing.

Lorin Hansen, Dance Director for the group, is a professional dancer and percussionist with over 10 years of experience and a degree from the prestiged University of Utah Modern Dance Department.  The group is looking for dancers and drummers to join their bateria.  They will have auditions on January 17, 2009, or you can stop by their weekly open rehearsals at 1664 East Roosevelt Ave. from 2-4 pm.  Their next performance will be at Circle Lounge on January 24, alongside Afro Omega.  Be sure to join their e-mail list or contact them through their www.sambagringa.org website as well.  As a non-profit, Samba Gringa extends its committed members scholarships for out-of-state educational opportunities, as well as in-state master classes and instructor residencies.

The group's Bateria

Brazilian Dance & Zumba classes are offered

(Danny Dance would like to thank Samba Gringa for making the January Dance Is A Feeling party "uma grande festa!")