Partners & Sponsors
London School of Samba Partners & Sponsors
The London School of Samba thrives on partnerships that fuel our vibrant community and enrich our cultural endeavors. Through collaborative efforts with local businesses, cultural institutions, and educational organizations, we amplify the heartbeat of samba in London.
London School of Samba Partners & Sponsors
Partnerships not only strengthen our educational programs but also provide platforms for diverse artistic expressions, fostering unity and celebration. We extend our deepest gratitude to all the organizations that generously support us, enabling the rhythm of samba to resonate throughout our city and beyond. Together, we dance to the rhythm of collaboration, creating harmony and joy in every step. Thank you for your invaluable support.
Announcing Africa Centre Partnership
London School of Samba goes back to its roots in renewed Partnership with The Africa Centre
London School of Samba (LSS) is delighted to announce a renewed Partnership with The Africa Centre, London’s leading place of education, connection and advocacy for the African continent and the Global African Diaspora.
The Africa Centre and London School of Samba have a long-standing historic relationship, with the LSS having been formed and based at The Africa Centre’s previous home in Covent Garden. This year, LSS is celebrating 40 years since its foundation in 1984 as the first samba school in the UK and the first to parade at Notting Hill.
For its 40th Anniversary, LSS is preparing a spectacular parade for Notting Hill Carnival, on the theme “De Volta às Origens” (Back to the Roots) exploring the cultural diaspora of Africa to Brazil, recognising and celebrating the origins of Samba.
As part of these celebrations, LSS and The Africa Centre have entered into a strategic partnership to illuminate the social and cultural connections between Brazil and Africa as manifested in the Samba art forms (music, dance, drumming) and associated cultural activity.
The project will include a series of workshops that LSS will hold at The Africa Centre from June to December 2024. These workshops will focus on dance, drumming and costume design, and will include the opportunity to participate in Notting Hill Carnival.
LSS will also participate in the development of TAC’s Africa-Brazil Quilombo Cultural Connections Showcase, a programme of immersive cultural experiences focused on the historical journey of samba music and dance from its African antecedence through to its various cultural progeny including samba, capoeira and candomble.
Christopher Silverstein, Chair of Trustees of the London School of Samba, said: “We are delighted to reconnect and renew our historic partnership with The Africa Centre. Both organisations have been on long journeys since 1984, and are still going strong! These joint activities will help us realise a new understanding and expression of the African roots of samba, and reach out to new audiences to raise cultural awareness, education, artistic participation and community engagement.
“In this our 60th anniversary, we are determined to celebrate our past and use that as a platform for the future. It is therefore really delightful and culturally significant for us to be re-engaging with LSS. Their focus on going back to their roots is very much in line with our strategic focus on The Global African and I am so excited about all the wonderful things that we are going to be doing together this year and beyond!” – Olu Alake | Chief Executive Officer of The Africa Centre
Photographers
Numerous people have helped to document the London School of Samba’s activities over the years. Thanks to all of the photographers that have supported us over the years with professional high quality photos, permitted use of their photos here and on our social media, and kindly helped document our work:
- Dexter Lewis
- Noriega Photographics
- Matthew Webb
- Mo Elnadi
- James English
- Lito Soto
- Emslie Horniman
- Stephan Rousseau
- Vik Choudhury
- Paul Hodson
- Paul Lippiatt
- Brian Guttridge
- Boguslaw Mastaj
- Angelika Berndt
- Nicky Gilbert
- Mina Simuzu
- Wayne Campbell
- Pawel Szewczyk
- Tristan Daws
- Emily-Jane Robinson (2014)
Founded in 2010, Go Brazil Wines is the UK’s only company which imports and distributes exclusively Brazilian wines. Sourced mainly from small, privately owned wineries across various regions of Brazil, our high quality portfolio of wines comprises some 60 labels – including sparkling, red, white and rosé – which is supplied to trade and private customers throughout the UK. We are delighted to be sponsoring the London School of Samba on their 40th anniversary and wish them every success for their Fundraising Ball! More details at: www.gobrazilwines.com
Charlotte Mensah
Charlotte Mensah, is a highly respected and influential award-winning British/Ghanaian hairstylist, who specials in natural, textured, and mixed heritage Afro hair. She is also the founder and artistic director of ‘The Hair Lounge’, the boundary-pushing hair salon on London’s fashionably eclectic Portobello Road.
With a legacy of over 130 years, Capezio stands as the premier choice for athletes and performers worldwide, celebrated for its quality craftsmanship, exceptional customer service, and enduring designs. From its humble beginnings in a small shoe repair shop near New York’s Metropolitan Opera House to becoming a global icon, Capezio continues to innovate and inspire, resonating with both dancers and non-dancers alike. Join us in celebrating a brand that has made the world dance for generations.
Amber Beauty Salon is a warm, friendly place to have all your beauty needs taken care of by a staff of talented professionals. Refresh and revitalise yourself with many services and we pride ourselves in being able to provide our customers with up to date information in the beauty industry. We carry the finest beauty products and offer the largest selection of beauty services in the area.
Janell Stephens founded Camille Rose, a textured haircare brand, over 10 years ago. Seeing a demand for natural, holistic products, Janell, a former therapist, began creating hair and body care items in her kitchen using food-grade ingredients. Her products, praised by friends and family, quickly gained popularity. Now a global brand, Camille Rose is available in UK stores like Boots and Superdrug.
Delfim
A carnival-focused Brazilian clothing brand founded by the famous and inspiring Brazilian dancer, musa, and influencer Bellinha Delfim. Under 30 years of age, she has created a brand that is in high demand, beautifully crafted, and on the pulse of fashion.
Taste Factory
Africa Fashion Week
Africa Fashion Week London, is Europe's largest annual African fashion event, occurring on 11 and 12 October 2024.
Nossa Voz aims to show the richness and diversity of Brazilian Popular Music to the British public, including in our repertoire songs from many composers, taking our audiences on a musical journey. What links us all is our love of singing Brazilian music and celebrating Brazilian culture, within an original and slightly unconventional project, mixing voices and musical arrangements with theatrical elements, even though the majority of the group had never set foot on a stage before joining. Nossa Voz is a great opportunity to meet people from different music and cultural backgrounds and celebrate singing music together. The Vocal Group was founded in 2003 and has a great history of performances and projects with a variety of different themes. This time the theme is cinema. The repertoire is based on music from Brazilian films from different eras.
Royal African Society
The Royal African Society is delighted to announce that Film Africa, one of the most anticipated and celebrated showcases of African cinema in Europe, will return for its 2024 edition from 25 October to 3 November. This year's festival promises an exhilarating array of films, virtual events, director Q&As, panel discussions, professional workshops, master classes, school screenings, and family activities. The grand Opening Night of the festival will feature the award-winning documentary "Dahomey," directed by award-winning Senegalese filmmaker Mati Diop, who won the Golden Bear at the 2024 Berlinale. Closing the festival is "Black Tea," another Berlinale finalist. The Royal African Society is the oldest membership organisation in the UK dedicated to Africa, with a mandate to promote better understanding of Africa and the UK and wider relations, through a wide variety of programmes and partnerships in business, policy analysis, culture, creativity, and academia.
Funders
With thanks to the support from arts council who made our 2019 carnival possible
Sponsors
Offering custom banners and signs for business and home needs. We thank them for the 40th Anniversary banner for our Covent Garden performance in April 2024.
Support Us
We are a charity and self founded. We welcome financial support and donations.
Partnership
Please get in touch to discuss sponsorship or partnership.
