London School of Samba celebrates 20 fantastic years!

The London School of Samba launches a year of special events to celebrate 20 years of Brazilian carnival extravagance in the UK. These will begin with a performance in Covent Garden Piazza, London, on 3 April.

London (PRWEB) March 26, 2004 --- The London School of Samba (LSS) celebrates 20 years of Brazilian carnival extravagance in the UK on 3 April with a special performance in Covent Garden. Founder member and renowned Brazilian musician Bosco de Oliveira said: It was our dream that a community organisation could teach the rhythms and passion of samba in London. We began in 1984 by giving public workshops in Covent Garden and over the years have taught samba music and dance to over 15,000 people in London -- a staggering achievement. In 2004 the school is performing samba to a higher standard than ever before."

- The LSS, the UKs first samba school, was formed in 1984 by a group of 12 musicians from South America, Europe and London who shared a passion for samba.
- Today the school is a thriving community organisation with over 200 members that brings bright flashes of life, music and colour to London every year.
- The celebrations will kick off with a public performance in Covent Garden on 3 April, followed by a birthday party that evening in Brixton, and will culminate with a special parade at the Notting Hill Carnival in August involving almost 300 people.

The public workshop in Covent Garden on 3 April at 1 pm will be a hands-on event: everyone is encouraged to participate -- just turn up! The evening party on 3 April at The Telegraph, Brixton Hill, will showcase exuberant Brazilian rhythms and feature special guests from around the world. Mestre Mags, Musical Director of the school, said: We are extremely excited! We cant wait to get on stage to share our passion for samba with the crowds." The 20th anniversary year will continue with a performance at the International Samba Festival in Coburg, Germany, and culminate with a celebratory parade at the Notting Hill Carnival in August. Mags explained: This is a special year for us and I can guarantee we will be full of energy -- come and enjoy the extravaganza!"

Notes for Editors:
The London School of Samba in Covent Garden
The London School of Samba began giving public workshops in Covent Garden in 1984. To mark 20 years of samba in the UK, the School will give a public workshop and performance on 3 April, 1--3 pm. Everyone is welcome to come along and discover the fun of drumming or dancing Brazilian style!

The 20th Anniversary Party
The London School of Samba will be celebrating 20 years of samba in the UK with a fantastic night of entertainment on 3 April, 9pm--late, at The Telegraph, Brixton Hill, London SW2. The night will feature a special performance by Aquarela -- top samba school from Paris -- and DJ sets from Cliffy (Batmacumba) and Marcus (House of Samba). Tickets -- 10 in advance or 12 on the door -- can be purchased from www.londonschoolofsamba.co.uk

The London School of Samba
The London School of Samba (LSS) was the first samba school in the UK and one of the first in Europe. The LSS was formed by a group of South American and European musicians in 1984 and celebrates 20 years of samba in London in 2004. It has gained a reputation as one of Europes leading samba groups and was placed first in the 'historical bands category of the 2003 Notting Hill Carnival.

The LSS is a charity and voluntary organisation. All proceeds from performances go towards LSS activities. These include public dance, percussion and costume-making workshops; annual participation in the Notting Hill Carnival parade and outreach projects such as the South London Borough initiative to carry out workshops and performances with local schools.

For more information, interviews, quotes or images:
Katja Metz, Publicity Officer
London School of Samba
Tel: 07957 459 929 or 07941 557 893
publicity@londonschoolofsamba.co.uk