Miamibloco becomes a BLOCO when the BATERIA + COMMUNIDADE come together at shows and street parades.

Miamibloco is a joyful, inclusive, intergenerational Afro-Brazilian percussion and dance Not-for-profit organization and community, dedicated to using music as a tool for building cultural connection, belonging, and civic pride in Miami.

Our educational programs make it easy for anyone to jump in, learn, and experience the power of community through music and dance.

Blocos are more than music—they’re artistic social movements that strengthen neighborhoods and create lasting bonds.

There are so many ways to be a part of this vibrant cultural legacy: dance in the parade, attend weekly rehearsals, or come out to enjoy performances and celebrate with us.

You can also lend your talents in writing, photography, costume or craft making, join the street team, or help with instrument tuning and maintenance.

Start by completing the 6-week Bateria Academy intro course and practicing at home. After that, you can join Saideira Sundays (6 -week intermediate ensemble where you can audition to join Bateria Saideira in the instrument section (naipe) needed.

The Monday Bateria Saideira Rehearsals are free community parties where you can dance if it moves you. If you want to dance as an official part of the community crew (passista/musa) send me an email here for updates alo@miamibloco.org

Bateria Academy is our friendly 6-week group course where anyone can learn to play Brazilian percussion, learn basic cultural context of Samba and our community work in Miami, from total beginners to those with some experience in other traditions.

Saideira Sundays are our regular group practices on Sundays to strengthen your skills, play with others at a comfortable pace, and enjoy the music, all without pressure of performances.

The more you attend, the more fun and rewarding it becomes!
This is an intermediate ensemble for Bateria Academy graduates and current Bateria Saideira ritmistas.

Bring your pandeiro (or borrow one from us), a snack, and a drink for a laid‑back, beginner‑friendly circle of Brasil’s most iconic instrument. We mix a lesson with a fun jam. BYOB, outdoors when the weather’s good. Dates are announced on our Discord and mailing list. links at the bottom of this page

APOIO are essential helpers in samba schools, it spans construction, costume making, painters, crafters, fundraisers..

👉🏽 We currently need 2 volunteers for our welcome table at Monday Night Rehearsals (7–10pm, Magic 13). In exchange, you’ll get a free spot in Bateria Academy for Fall or Winter.

We currently have a few partial scholarships for Bateria Academy courses, available to LGBTQI+, music students, parents enrolling their youth, and Barry University students. These are made possible thanks to generous small donations to this cause each season.
Please consider contributing HERE to help us keep them going!

There are may ways to belong and show up in a community bloco!
Refer to:
APOIO, RITMISTA, TORCEDOR, COMUNIDADE, PASSISTA, MUSA definitions.
If you have a specific skill to lend to the group, drop us a line at alo@miamibloco.org. Welcome!

A bateria in a samba school and in Miamibloco is the percussion section that acts as the “heartbeat” of the group—just as your heart keeps your body alive and moving, the bateria provides the driving rhythm and energy that powers the entire samba school’s comunidade and dancers during parades and performances.

A bloco is a community-based street parade group, made up of BATERIA + COMUNIDADE + APOIO + DANCERS .
Anyone can join in these vibrant parties, which fill the streets with samba, costumes, and dancing, creating a shared space for music, self-expression, and community fun and belonging.

Miamibloco Bateria Saideira rehearsals are lively sessions where community percussionists and samba lovers gather to connect, practice, and build the unique sound and energy of the bloco. Held at Magic 13 Brewing on Monday evenings from 7–10pm, these rehearsals are all about teamwork, rhythm, and experiencing the cultural heartbeat of Rio-style samba right in Miami.

The focus is on collective groove, learning, and preparing for performances along with the dancers, transforming a group of individuals into a united samba family.
Rehearsals are open to the public. They are also a great place to bring your craft and get creative in public.

check the calendar updated weekly HERE

The term captures the idea of an enjoyable, spirited closing time for music and community, much like a friendly "last round" or encore that brings everyone together.

In Miamibloco terms, Saideira means a "nightcap" , referring to the last show of the year SAIDEIRA SOCIAL, a special self produced show where the community comes together to celebrate samba and various musical traditions in a relaxed, joyful way.

A person that plays in the official performance group (Bateria Saideira). This role requires a high level of musical skill, commitment, and collective accountability.

Ritmistas must attend regular rehearsals on Monday nights 7pm-10 pm, study at home, and be prepared prior to rehearsals.

Ritmistas get lots of great perks while also proudly of representing the evolving sound of Miami in parades and the annual Saideira Social, like: Exclusive merchandise, play in music festivals , access to master classes with local and international teachers, travel to Brazil after 3 seasons, play on the streets, and a great group of friends that do lots of other activities together!

Ritmistas in Bateria Saideira are also called Saideiristas.

A skilled samba dancer who performs energetic and stylish solo and choreographed moves within the bateria.

Everyone is welcome to dance freely at rehearsals, as part of the comunidade but official dancers who contribute to the organization and carry the mission can dance with the Bateria Saideira at events, wear uniforms, work on choreographies, and join a passionate, supportive dance family.

The queen of the bateria, leading the dance with elegance and connecting the drummers to the crowd at events.

Everyone is welcome to dance freely at rehearsals, as part of the comunidade but official dancers who contribute to the organization and carry the mission can dance with the Bateria Saideira at events, wear uniforms, work on choreographies, and join a passionate, supportive dance family.

Should always be the largest % that makes up Miamibloco, just like in Brazil. Miamibloco aims to be roughly should be: Comunidade 70%, Dancers 10%, Bateria 20%.

Comunidade refers to the core community of supporters, participants, and often residents from the neighborhoods of Miami who want to be deeply involved in Miamibloco’s daily life and culture.

Comunidade creates a strong sense of belonging, help prepare for King Mango Strut, PRIDE, Carnaval on The Mile, participate in events, and embody the collective spirit and identity of Miamibloco.

In samba, a naipe is a section or group of the same type of instrument that plays together—like all surdos, all caixas, or all tamborims, repiques, timbaus, chocalhos,within the Bateria Saideira (percussion ensemble).

Each naipe works as a team and also practices individually outside of rehearsals to create a unified sound and rhythm, helping build the full, rich texture of samba music.

A talabarte is a shoulder strap or belt used in samba to hold and support a large drum (like a surdo) while marching or performing. It lets you carry the drum comfortably as you play, especially during parades, similar to the harness that marching band drummers use in the U.S, but made of cloth and not rigid.

Aroda de samba is a traditional Brazilian musical gathering that can be formal or informal, where musicians sit or stand around a table to play samba or pagode, inviting the audience participate to sing, clap specific claves, and dance along in a lively, communal circle.

Miamibloco has a Roda de Samba Raiz called Pagode de Mesa, this performance group focuses on this interactive, acoustic style, distinct from but deeply connected to the bateria: While bateria drives the rhythm in big parades, a roda de samba brings musicians and community together up close, celebrating the roots and social resistance spirit of samba through songs and specific instrumentation.

No. Miamibloco is a large community of curious and creative people of all ages. It’s not just drums, but the drums are the heartbeat.

We’re all volunteers on a mission to bring joy to ourselves and to Miami at large.

Our group is made up of people like you, who take on the roles needed for this community to keep growing into a legacy of joy and belonging for Miami. Want to dress up and parade in Miamibloco?

Think time‑travel to paradise — Rio de Janeiro dropped right into Little Haiti. The air shakes with drumbeats, laughter, and the clink of 2‑for‑1 beers (plus free parking to boot). All ages, all backgrounds, all heart — a living room for Brazil, samba, craft, and culture lovers. Your $5 house gift when you visit keeps the beat alive and the tradition growing into the future for all of Miami’s history.

Parading with Miamibloco is an exciting way to be part of our movement, connect with new people, and take to the streets declaring that ART KEEPS US HUMAN, JOY IS A BIRTHRIGHT, and WE TELL OUR OWN STORIES.

We love joining iconic parades like King Mango Strut, Pride Miami Beach, and Carnaval on the Mile.

Bring a friend to the Monday night Bateria Saideira Rehearsals rehearsals, this is where we get to know each other as a community, and where you can help make your own costumes and signs to show off on parade day!

At Bateria Saideira rehearsals, only official Ritmistas get to play drums.

But don’t worry! Everyone is invited to dance, cheer, and enjoy the music with us as comunidade. Bring a craft project or join our craft nights in October during the rehearsal.
Thinking of getting involved or buying your first drum for Bateria Academy or Saideira Sundays? Email us—we're excited to help you find your rhythm and be part of our samba family!

Yes! we collaborate with local, national and international musicians and graphic artists for our annual Saideira Social productions.

The artists we collaborate with are part of our community and support our Nonprofit mission. We don’t currently have the capacity to consider artists submissions.

If you are interested in underwriting an artist, please EMAIL US.

Yes! Miamibloco’s Samba Percussion Team-Building Workshops bring our community‑building philosophy, rooted in the lessons of the Afro‑Brazilian tradition of samba, into the workplace. Just like in a Samba school and inside the percussion section, every department and every person, regardless of position, plays a crucial role in the overall harmony and happiness of the whole. Through large‑ensemble drumming, your team experiences connection, collaboration, and joy; building a workplace culture where everyone’s contribution matters. for inquiries and quotes, email ALO@MIAMIBLOCO.ORG

Yes, Public our rehearsals are free and community‑supported. Think of it as visiting the House of Samba: you’re always welcome, and a little “house gift” keeps the party alive.

We suggest a $5 donation [ that’s less than a Miami beer ] to help cover weekly costs for keeping this massive samba gathering going. On Mondays at the Saideira Quadra,(Magic 13) a 2‑for‑1 beer deal means you already save $7‑$9… so why not “buy the Bateria a beer”? 🍻

Your contribution keeps our rhythms echoing into Miami’s future; preserving joy, culture, and community as part of the city’s living history. Help the beat go on with your donation!