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About Batalá

History

Giba GolcalvezBatalá in Washington, D.C. is part of a larger Batalá family created in 1997 by Giba Gonçalves. Born and raised in Salvador, Bahia in Brazil, Giba was living in Paris when he first had the idea for the band. Open to anyone with an interest in learning the samba-reggae beat, the band started off with 60 people.

From Paris it spread to other cities in France, Belgium and the United Kingdom. In 2003, the band finally made its way back to its origins, brought to Brazil by Paulo Garcia, also the founder of the Portsmouth Batalá . Composer and musical director, Giba enlisted the help of friends from the bands and from Salvador in order to create the visual identity of the band. The instruments and clothings are all manufactured in Salvador, Bahia, where the band has a social program that gives jobs to many families. From there they are shipped to the bands around the world.

In 2007, the newest branch of the Batalá band was created in Washington, DC, expanding the reach of the band’s music to the United States. Today, there are 30 and counting Batalá bands around the world.

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Drums

surdo

SURDO - the heart-beat
Surdo 1 & 2 are the pulse and heartbeat of every samba band. Each drum is played with alternating beaters. Surdo 1 is tuned low and played on the first beat, Surdo 2 is pitched higher and replies with the second beat. These “bookends”, with their energy and insistent driving rhythm, push the beat forward and provide a solid base for other patterns.

dobra

DOBRA  - the melody
The Dobra is the the mid-range sound, the melody drum. This smaller version of the Surdo, played with two beaters, is unique to samba-reggae. The dobra has a particular pattern for each of the pieces, the off-beat pattern featuring regularly, creating the reggae feel. The dobra plays complex patterns of drumming that combine space and notes.

repique

REPIQUE - the caller
The Repique is played with two flexi sticks, this drum helps call in the breaks and provides a “double layer” of clave to add to the snare. Probably 90% of the patterns played by the snare and the repique are the same. The difference is the sound made by the two sticks, lightening loud and snappy, like popcorn going off.

caixa

CAIXA- the white-noise
The snare gives the upper-range of sound, the “white noise” that fills in the spaces left by the other instruments. The snare is the drum that can play with the most nuance and expression.


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Hey DC! We’ve got a busy weekend ahead and we’ Hey DC! We’ve got a busy weekend ahead and we’re so excited for it! Join us for any or all of our performances! Saturday 12p: Afro-Atlantic Histories Festival @ngadc 3:30p: Mt Pleasant family show @dcpl Sunday 5pm: Season Opener halftime show @washingtonspirit
Hi friends! Be sure to catch us at our next show w Hi friends! Be sure to catch us at our next show when we play at the Afro-Atlantic Histories Festival @ngadc National Gallery of Art on April 30th at 12pm.
Also, check out this great exhibition that opens tomorrow. 
#braziliandrumming #afrobrazilian #batala #washingtondc
Another @runrocknroll in the books! Congrats to al Another @runrocknroll in the books! Congrats to all the runners! Also, shout out to all the race staff, volunteers, and city employees that make it all happen! 👟🥁 #batalahey
International Women’s Day - Celebrated annually International Women’s Day - Celebrated annually on March 8. Is a day that commemorates the social, political and economic achievements of women. Women in different parts of the world use this day to come together to celebrate one another and rally for equal treatment and representation. Batala Hey to all the wonderful women of the world! 🎉❤️💃🏽🎶🥁
#batalahey #womeninmusic #womendrummers #internationalwomensday
We had a fabulous time celebrating Mardi Gras yest We had a fabulous time celebrating Mardi Gras yesterday with everyone that came out to @thewharfdc for the parade! #mardigras #bataláhey ⚜️💚💜❤️🥁 

🎥 @4romeros
Looking for something fun to do this coming Saturd Looking for something fun to do this coming Saturday? Batalá Washington will be participating at this year’s Mardi Grass Parade at The Wharf. Festivities start at 3pm. February 26 at 3pm. Hope to see you there! 

#mardigrassdc #washingtondc #thewharfdc
Happy Black History Month from Batalá Washington! Happy Black History Month from Batalá Washington!
Batalá Washington’s mission is to empower women through music and drumming and to expose our DC community to the Afro-Brazilian, most specifically to the Afro-Bahian, music and culture. We celebrate and honor all the Afro-Brazilian artists and musicians who inspire us every day.
#blackhistorymonth #afrobrazilianculture #afrobrazilianmusic #afrobahia #sambareggae
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2022 to our Batala DC Familia. Wish HAPPY NEW YEAR 2022 to our Batala DC Familia. Wishing the new year brings much happiness, health and samba reggae and funk beats to all. Feliz Ano Novo. Batala Hey!.
🎶🥁🎉💃🏽
#batalahey #happynewyear
We had an amazing (& chilly) morning playing for a We had an amazing (& chilly) morning playing for all the runners of the @runrocknroll half marathon! Thanks to all the runners, staff, volunteers, first responders and crowd for a great race! 👟🥁
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