Description
Batalá New York is the premier all-womxn, Black-led, percussion ensemble activating partnerships, community building, and cultural awareness through high-energy performances of Afro-Brazilian music and dance.
We are transforming images of women by presenting a loud, fearless, diverse and resilient community of female drummers. We perform all over the New York region in concert halls, at community centers, parks and gardens, on the streets, at protests, and at renowned cultural institutions.
Batalá New York is one of approximately four Batalá groups that are all women and women-led. Batalá New York is part of a global community of bands playing Afro-Brazilian music under the name of Batalá. The Batalá bands principally play Samba Reggae, a world music that incorporates Brazilian Samba and Caribbean Reggae. We play the compositions and arrangements of Mestre Giba Gonçalves, founder of Batalá, and other mestres on metal drums with polymer skins.
Our music, instruments and costumes are primarily from Salvador da Bahia in the northeast of Brazil. All Batalá bands engage in fair trade and collaboration with the same drum makers, textile artists, printmakers, and other artisans in Salvador de Bahia.
We are an all-volunteer, non-profit, 501c3 organization.
