Forro in the Dark
Past Performances
September 8, 2003
Watch this Performance
Additional Resources
Artist's Official Website: http://sambart.com
Millennium Stage Home Page
Part of the Performing Arts for Everyone Initiative
About the Artist
Forro In The Dark plays the music of Louis Gonzaga, The King Of Baião, a style of Brazilian dance music that is built around a trio of accordion, triangle and zabumba (a small bass drum with a huge sound). The relentless driving rhythms of the accordion, much like Zydeco, combine with distinctly Brazilian melodies. Often humorous, these are songs about life in the rugged, dry and unforgiving landscape of northern Brazil. This is party music for hard working people who would gather together at night for a "forro,” where they could drink and dance and forget their troubles. Forro In The Dark is Robert Curto on accordion, Mauro Refosco on zabumba, Jorge Amorin on triangle, Sergio Brandao on bass and cavaquino, and Ana Fontella on guitar. Individually, they have played with a variety of artists, including Beck, David Byrne, Johnny Cash, Rosemary Clooney, and Bebel Gilberto. As a group, they bring a contagious sense of joy to the room whenever they play, inspiring people of all races and ages to dance away their blues.
Sambart Entertainment emphasizes the cultural traditions of Brazil through colorful, elegant costume, traditional Brazilian food, percussion music, and exotic high-spirited dance. Since its inception in 1992, Sambart has been dedicated to promoting Brazilian culture and ‘Carnaval’ throughout the United States and the world. The dance company was founded under the artistic leadership and direction of world-renown dancer and choreographer, Sonia Pessoa. Her personally choreographed Samba shows bring a flamboyant ‘Carnaval’ atmosphere to any manner of event, large or small. Passionate exotic dancers dressed in authentic ‘Carnaval’ costume give an elegant taste of the cultural flavor that is Brazil.
Sambart Entertainment’s Sambistas (Samba dancers) have performed their folkloric dances locally and nationally at numerous theaters and auditoriums, such as the Marcus Theater on Broadway, NY, the Kennedy Center, and Wolf Trap; military bases, such as Fort McNair and Fort Meyer; festivals; carnivals; parades; embassies; restaurants; hotels; and private functions.
