Samba Elégua

It’s that time of year again, when spring has sprung (well, we hope this year) and Samba Elegua busts out for the first gig of the spring season, at the Toronto Beaches Lions Easter Parade! Have you got your bunny ears ready?

Come one, come all to the 2011 edition, Sunday, April 24th at 2 pm. The parade kicks off at Queen St. E. near Victoria Park Ave. We’ve got you covered with the sweet beats! The Easter Bunny will pay a visit. Fun for the whole family. Did we mention free chocolate?

The Samba Elegua community suffered a huge loss on February 22, 2011. Alysa Rotstein, two-year member of the band, and friend to many, passed away after a fatal accident in Costa Rica, while on vacation with friends.

Alysa was a kind-hearted, gifted, graceful and spiritual woman, who made huge contributions to the community at large. She added sparkle to Samba Elégua, with every agogo bell note she played, and her friendly and uplifting presence. She leaves a gaping hole in the band and will be missed by legions of friends, family and the community. Our hearts go out to Alysa’s loved ones, as we pause and reflect on a light that has been extinguished. We love you, Alysa! Rest in peace.

Who doesn’t love freedom? Who doesn’t want to celebrate it and spread its message around the world? That’s right, no one (well, no one like us at least).

On Friday, January 28, Samba Elegua kicks off 2011 at the Party For Freedom, put on by the Alliance Against Modern Slavery. The Party For Freedom is a benefit concert to bring awareness to slavery and human trafficking, and will take place at the Sandra Faire and Ivan Fecan Theatre, on the York University campus. Join us as we bring in the beats for an important cause and make noise for freedom.

We kick things off starting at 6:45 pm so make sure to get there early and get a seat! Buy tickets here.

It’s the last PSK of the year – boo hoo (I mean BOO!) – Hallowe’en edition! Don’t miss the pageantry, the fire tricks, the coming together to celebrate all the goodness of 2010 PSKs and, of course, the BEATS!

On Sunday, October 31st, 2010, we celebrate many global traditions that arise at this time of the year, when life retreats to a dormant state and we reflect on days passed and those who now exist in a realm beyond death. Stock up on some heartwarming fun to keep your soul strong for the winter ahead.

The parade will kick off at 6:00 pm at the corner of Kensington Avenue and Dundas Street West. We hope to see you there for our last Kensington hurrah of 2010!

Join Samba Elegua for Night of Dread, Clay & Paper Theatre’s invitation to the community to parade our private and collective fears through the darkened streets of Toronto. The hour-long procession will return to Dufferin Grove Park for an evening of ceremonial festivities that compel us to call on, mock and banish the fears that unite and divide us in these times. Night of Dread is an unforgettable evening of pageantry, music and masquerade incorporating towering puppets, stilt dancers, fire-spinners and fearful masks in a daring exploration of dread. Rhythmic soundtrack courtesy of Samba Elegua and other live performers.

Saturday, October 30th, 2010
4 PM: Parade begins assembling at Dufferin Grove Park
6 PM: Parade departs
Dress Code: Black & White
Pay-What-You-Can: suggested donation $10

Join Samba Elegua as we throw down for the spookiest of night time gatherings – the Halloween Extravaganza at Steamwhistle Brewing!

Yes, that’s right, we’ll be playing both parties, on Friday, October 29th, and Saturday, October 30th (first set starting at 11 pm both nights), so party with us once, or party with us twice – it’s all good!

Party headquarters: 255 Bremner Blvd., Toronto.

“Every ten minutes, someone dies from a blood cancer. This statistic represents nearly 146 people each day, or more than six people every hour. Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults under the age of 20.”

On Thursday, October 7th, join Samba Elegua at the Light the Night Walk: Taking Steps Toward Cures as we bang the drum in support of research to find a cure. We will play two sets: one at 7:00-7:30 to kick off the walk and one at 8:00-8:30 to welcome the brave walkers home. Join us at Nathan Phillips Square and bring your spirit!

In celebration of the bounty of the earth, we’ll exchange seeds, meet our farmers, enjoy a feast of local foods, and learn a harvest dance (ahem, that’ll be you – we’ll be dropping the big boom!).

Sunday, 5:45 pm, corner of Kensington Ave. and Dundas St. W.

Join Samba Elegua in Hamilton as we officially launch the AGH World Film Festival!



OPENING PARTY for The AGH World Film Festival 2010
Friday, September 24, 8:30 pm
In front of AGH and VIBE Lounge,
123 King Street West, Hamilton, ON

Look and listen for us at PSK: Air! The Kensington Community Air Show around 8 p.m. on Augusta Ave. south of College, this Sunday, Aug. 29.