Play Samba with the Paraiso

The Paraiso School of Samba is London's best samba band. Led by Henrique da Silva, who grew up in Rio de Janeiro as part of the legendary Mangueria samba community there, where he began playing aged 8, the School began in 2001 and has been frequently judged best Samba School at the Notting Hill Carnival. The School maintains close connections with the Samba Schools of Rio and frequently attracts some of Brazil's finest musicians to play alongside it's members.


The Paraiso holds both dance and percussion classes twice weekly. Percussion classes are held on Wednesdays at 8.30pm at the Space in Old Street, and on Thursdays at 8.30pm at St Matthews Church in Brixton. There are also dance classes on Wednesdays at 7.00pm at Old Street and Thursdays at 7.30pm (beginners) and 8.30pm (intermediates) at Brixton. All classes cost £7.

You may have noticed your author mentioned the Paraiso in his Londonist interview yesterday, and it is no conincidence as he has played with them for a year and a half and joined them at Notting Hill Carnival last year where the School, numbering 250 members and extended for around half a mile, was rated the best samba school by judges and the third best act overall. Not bad considering it is the world's second largest carnival.

So, if you have ever fancied trying your hand at Brazilian percussion or dancing, why not pop along. The Wednesday classes are specifically aimed at beginners and improvers, and if you're not sure and want to talk about it just email tomtiredoflondon[at]gmail[dot]com or visit http://www.paraisosamba.co.uk/

_{^Picture from flickr courtesy of fotologic^}