With more than 80 performers, Austin Samba will once again serve up an electrifying evening of Brazilian drum and dance, exploring the culture of the world’s most famous Carnaval celebration in Rio de Janeiro. Audiences will be invited to join the traditional samba school the night before Carnaval as its performers move among the streets of Rio to showcase music and dance found throughout Brazil. They finally arrive at the Sambódromo, Rio’s renowned avenue where the city’s enormous parades take place, to give it all they’ve got during the giant celebration.

“Austin Samba is excited to bring the spirit of Brazilian Carnaval to the ZACH Theatre this year,” exclaims Lee Clippard, the director of Austin Samba, “Our ‘Night in Rio’ show promises to dazzle audiences with dance, percussion and song, and transport everyone to the pulsing streets of Rio de Janeiro for one lively evening.”

For the past 14 years, Austin Samba has been producing popular musical theatre productions for its Carnaval season with themes ranging from “Madame Butterfly” to “Peter Pan” to “The Big Easy.” The group has performed at public and private events throughout the state, including Austin’s Carnaval Brasileiro, HONK!TX, and Dia de los Muertos celebrations. They give an exciting and authentic taste of Rio, modeled on that city’s legendary “escolas de samba” that often comprise 300 drummers and thousands of dancers in Rio’s annual Carnaval parades.