Río Valencia Escuela de Samba was formed in Valencia, Spain at the end of 2013 – the first group in the city of Valencia to specialise in Rio-style samba. The directors, Sam Ellis and Alan Taylor – had moved to Spain to live in the summer of 2012 and wanted to set up a new group, where they could share their love for the experience of Rio Carnival, both in the city and beyond.
Their fun rehearsals on Sundays work towards supporting local events of all kinds – playing samba as powerfully and authentically as possible. The group is open to players and dancers at all levels and ages and takes pride in its diversity and unique make-up.
The group’s colours are blue and white, and its logo features the bat (a symbol of Valencia), the sea (Valencia is a proudly Mediterranean city), and a drum head– all depicted perfectly on it’s beautiful hand-made flag.
The group continues to grow and is now a registered not-for-profit Cultural Association. It’s main annual large scale events are Ruzafa Carnival and Valencia’s LGBT Pride, and its members participate in international collaborative events like MegaSamba in Sesimbra, Portugal and Notting Hill Carnival in London, where they support Paraíso School of Samba in one of the world’s largest street festivals.
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