Presented by and

Funded by North West Arts Board

updated 20th November 2002

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Samba City is a Samba development programme, presented by Manchester 5000 and Ecodecor that has as its focus a national gathering of drummers and dancers in Manchester.

photo Paul Herrmann

There are various linked elements in the programme for Samba City , all of which have built upon past experience.
They are:

• Commissions - Commissioning of new compositions for specific occasions. In 2002 Samba City will be unveiling a Commonwealth Enredo, inspired by the arrival of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
• Greater Manchester Samba Development Programme - a series of projects developing community samba in Greater Manchester.
• Manchester Encontro - a series of workshops and master classes in all aspects of Samba i.e. percussion, dance and costume administered through Ecodecor.
• Samba City - the bands taking part in the event will get the opportunity to perform on a series of stages around the city centre on Bank Holiday Monday in Manchester.
• Related events - a programme of related cultural activity will be developed including films and club nights.

The performances by the bands will represent the culmination of months of rehearsal and vigorous input during the Manchester Encontro weekend.

The focus of the weekend is about learning new skills and networking within the UK's Samba world. It provides an opportunity for community Samba schools from Greater Manchester, the North-West and the rest of the UK to learn from top professionals and each other.

Aims of Manchester 5000

photo Paul Herrmann

The long-term aims of Manchester 5000 are to promote, maintain, improve and advance education by the encouragement of community based educational activity, and to benefit the people of Greater Manchester by providing a safe environment for a wide range of community arts activity.

These aims have been achieved to date by the sustained delivery of a development programme of teaching and events that have nourished and challenged participants. The programme has prepared participants for a large public event through a range of practical workshops, and through the provision of learning packs and CD's.

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