Balé Folclórico da Bahia

The 38-member troupe of dancers, musicians, and singers performs “Bahian” folkloric dances of african origin that features slave dances, capoeira (a form of martial arts), samba, and carnival dances.

“You could call it the Brazilian ‘Blast’ or the Bahian ‘Riverdance.’ With them one speaks in superlatives: the operative tempos are frenetic, the movement furious, the colors hallucinogenic…” (The Boston Globe).

27 Replies to “Balé Folclórico da Bahia”

  1. What a fantastic show! I felt energized by the troupe’s artistry and passion. The whole spectacle was entrancing — the rhythms and melodies, the colors, the costumes, the grace and athleticism of the dancers. The dances were both spiritual and sensual at the same time. I’d like to learn more about this aspect of Brazilian culture.

  2. Wonderful drumming and a fabulous stringed instrument accompanied the dancers. The Yoruba heritage with the Brazilian additions was wonderful! Loved it!

  3. We absolutely loved it. The energy and joy was contagious and from the balcony we could see the whole audience up on their feet, dancing with the dancers.

  4. It was an electrifying performance: colorful and rhythmic! But it wasn’t just a show: the dance numbers reflected a cultural and historical narrative and captured Bahia’s African heritage in a deeper, more meaningful way.

  5. oh my god………..i am still feeling the beat in the heart and soul of my life…..
    they were captivating. The intensity of the dance, song and movements never eased up. I can not imagine how they remembered all the wonderful choreography. And did anyone mention their bodies………..tuned pieces of art and costumes to match
    A sight to behold and an event that will warm me on these cold winter nights for years to come….thank you for bringing them here to amherst.

  6. What energy! It was Mardi Gras in Massachusetts. Nice to be away from the snow and in Rio, a smile on my face and the sun on my back, the music beating away.

  7. Balé Folclórico da Bahia blasted us out of the winter doldrums. We were transported by the experience. It was amazing to leave the cold and ice behind and enter a world of vibrant energy, radiance, and color. Thank you!

  8. What a fantastic show! Every aspect of the performance was amazing – not only the dance, but the drums, song, costumes, and lighting. It was actually the best lighting job I’ve seen in a production in a very long time. I was so impressed by the energy of the company. Can’t wait until the next dance show here!

  9. Ditto to Marguerite’s comment above. What a wonderful surprise! SOOO professional and polished, yet a superb depiction of folk traditions, music, dance and more. Their energy was incredible, and their level of physical fitness puts the rest of us to shame. Thanks SO much for bringing this to us.

  10. It was not what I expected and I mean this in the MOST complimentary way. It was spirited, raw, and so unrestrained–not like any dance performance I’ve experienced before. My only regret is that I didn’t tell more friends about it. Thank you SO much for bringing them to UMASS!

  11. The audience loved it and I was delighted to see so many students there. There’s nothing like a dance company to bring together young and old, students and non-students, kids, etc. Everyone was on their feet at the end to applaud this troupe. Still, I was somewhat disappointed in the performance. I thought it somehow lacked a certain amount of variety. The singing was amplified and deafening at times. Other than one string instrument, all the instruments were drums and towards the end of the performance when 14 men dancers beat a drum, the noise level was rather incredible.

  12. Balé Folclórico da Bahia!!!!!!!
    An amazing feast for all of the senses. The kaleidescope of colors swirling and vibrating on the stage and on the beautiful painted backdrop! The incredible undulating dance of the sea goddess whose shimmering skirts finally fan out around her into a huge net to catch a school of fish. At one moment a stage filled with a throng of people drumming, singing and dancing in celebration, and the next, one single musician giving a virtuosic performance on the single stringed instrument of the capoeira tradition. The mastery of the dancers, singers and instrumentalists was matched by the artistic planning and design of the production. Kudos!

  13. Balé Folclórico da Bahia was just amazing. The energy, color, athleticism, grace, folkloric storytelling and music all combined for a wildly enjoyable evening.

  14. A beautiful show! The warmth and energy of all the performers was the perfect counterpoint to a cold New England winter. I’m ready to go to Brazil!

  15. What a fantastic show! The dancers were wonderful, the singers impressive, and the drummers – wow! The rhythm was in my soul! I was transported to Brazil and African hot sands and wanted to join in the dance. Love the outfits, and the incredible acrobatics.

  16. Like all the other comments, what a wonderful amazing feast for the senses. And how grand was it to see young and old alike in the audience, grooving along, swaying, clapping, smiling and sharing in the high octane energy.

  17. Lika all the other comments, what a wonderful feast for the senses. And what a delight to see young and old alike, swaying, clapping, grooving along and breathing in the high octane energy.

  18. I was captured. On one snowy night in January I was transported to Bahia. My husband, who had no idea what he was going to see, kept saying “Who are these people”?
    It felt good to sing with them, to move a little with them, and to exist in their world for an evening.

  19. Fabulous! It was awe-inspiring. We were so glad we ‘added’ this to our dance package of tickets!

  20. The energy and rhythm were amazing. The dancers had such incredible form and control, and the variety of dances highlighted their skill. The musicians were also fantastic, which tied the whole show together. I’d love to see them again in the future.

  21. What a wonderful gift! The view into the early history through the music and songs of the religion was very moving. The sensuality of the dancers in the “Berimbau” song was extrordinary, as well as their talent. The market scene showed imagination, color, comedy, and the absolute prowess and stamina of the male dancers, in particular. There was exceptional skill shown in the playing of the bow instrument–One I do not know the name of, and which I have not seen before–a real treat! But most impressive was the singers and the drummers, who held it all together. Though I didn’t understand the language, I think the message was very clear in every number.
    Thank you Bale Folclorico Da Bahia for a wonderful evening and a look into Bahian culture.

  22. No doubt we saw an amazing sample of greatly talented dancers and musicians on stage from Brazil. However, as an Afro-Brazilian, I know the music and dances of African descent in Brazil, specially Bahia, is richer than what we saw. I was disappointed with the capoeira part of the show – it was unnecessarily sexualized and this has nothing to do with the history of capoeira, not even in present times; the semi-naked bodies (very beautiful ones, by the way!) on stage was completely out of place, and those who know a little about capoeira understand what I am saying. In many ways, Afro-Brazilian people and their culture were represented in very stereotypical ways in the show. The energy, the vibe, and the talent are unquestionable – and it was amazing to see everyone contaminated by that atmosphere in the end. However, we need to keep a critical way of appreciating cultural performances like the one we had on Thursday.

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