SAXTONS RIVER — Samba will shake the halls at Main Street Arts in a three-week workshop beginning Thursday, June 6.
Dancer Marji Pivar and her husband, musician Derrik Jordan, co-creators of Samba=Joy, will lead the class in the dance inspired by the festive Brazilian Carnival.
Participants will be able to continue the fun by dancing as Samba=Joy under Jordan's leadership in the Saxtons River 4th of July parade.
The class meets June 6, 20, and 27 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The fee is $27 for members, $36 for non-members, with financial aid available.
Samba=Joy is a Carnival-style group of dancers and drummers that's pleased crowds at the annual parade for many years. Brass and percussion players are needed to accompany the dancers during the parade. Jordan will meet with the musicians to teach them the music, with the rehearsal date and time to be determined. Those interested may contact MSA to volunteer.
Pivar is a dancer and author, and the founder of the Shiatsu School of Vermont. She and Jordan led the 4th of July Parade in Saxtons River for several years, taking over from Patricia Wilson, who started the tradition.
Jordan is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and songwriter who was commissioned in 2009 to compose for the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. He specializes in world music and teaches music at the Greenwood School in Putney.