Bale Folclorico da Bahia Set for Marin Center, 11/23

Direct from Bahia in northern Brazil comes this stunning 25-member troupe, Balè Folclórico da Bahia - known for its explosive drumming, passionate dancing and boundless energy. Its display of Bahian folkloric dances of African origin was described as a "non-stop extravaganza" by the San Francisco Chronicle. Balè Folclórico da Bahia performs on Saturday, November 23rd 8pm at the Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium, 10 Avenue of the Flags at Civic Center Drive in San Rafael, CA 94903. Ticket are $40, $30, $25, Premium seats $60, Students 20 and under $20, Bargain seats (rows 31-34) $20; and can be ordered through the Marin Center Box Office at 415-473-6800 or www.marincenter.org .

Balè Folclórico da Bahia stirs together Afro-Brazilian rhythms, lore, and rites with dancing that incorporates Brazilian, African, ballet, and modern-dance techniques. The company's first-ever U.S. tour last year garnered rave reviews from coast to coast and had audience members dancing in the aisles during the closing number. The 25 member troupe of dancers, musicians, and singers performs a repertory based on "Bahian" folkloric dances of African origin and includes slave dances, capoeira (a form of martial arts), samba, and those that celebrate Carnival. The company presents the region's most important cultural manifestations under a contemporary theatrical vision that reflects its popular origins.

Based in Salvador in the northern state of Bahia, Balè Folclórico da Bahia, formed by Walson Botelho and Ninho Reis, made its debut in July 1988 at the Joinville Dance Festival where an audience of 20,000 enthusiastically greeted its performance entitled "Bahia de Todas as Cores" (All Colors of Bahia). Under the artistic direction of José Carlos Arandiba, the company's many national and international tours have earned it a prestigious reputation throughout the country and abroad, travelling all over the world, and performing at theatres such as City Center in New York City, Shubert Theater in Boston, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley, Sydney Opera House, Teatro da Trindade in Lisbon, Teatret Albertslund in Copenhagen, and many others.

Balè Folclórico da Bahia has received several awards including the FIAT 90 by Fiat Industries for best Dance Company in the country in 1990; the PRÊMIO ESTÍMULO by the Ministry of Culture for best dance performance and Dance Company in Brazil in 1993; the PRÊMIO MAMBEMBÃO by the Ministry of Culture for best research in popular culture and best body work in 1996; the PRÊMIO BOM DO BRASIL by Varig Brazilian Airlines for one of the five best social and cultural projects in Brazil in 2004; and the PRÊMIO MÉRITO AO TURISMO by ABRAJET (Associação Brasileira de Jornalistas de Turismo) for best services to tourism and culture in Bahia in 2006. www.balefolcloricodabahia.com.br/eng/index.html.

Photo by Vinicius Lima