January & February 2027

Rio de
Janeiro

with Jorge Alabê

Experience samba, Candomblé, and everyday carioca life with world-class percussionist Jorge Alabê and friends. Small group trips with an inside connection and expert guidance to the cidade maravilhosa: one in the samba rehearsal season, and one for Carnaval.

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Join world-class percussionist Jorge Alabê for an intimate journey through Rio de Janeiro.

Visit legendary samba schools during pre-Carnaval rehearsals, hear the drums at Jorge's own terreiro, and immerse yourself in the culture of one of the world's most extraordinary cities.

Small groups · January 14–23 and February 1–10, 2027

The Trips

January 2027

Samba & Candomblé Immersion

Jan 14–23 $2,000

Arrive in Rio Thu Jan 14 · Depart Rio Sat Jan 23

Immerse yourself in the musical soul of Rio de Janeiro. Visit legendary samba schools — at least four, including Salgueiro, Mangueira, Vila Isabel — during their vibrant rehearsal season. Visit Jorge's own Candomblé house, Ilê Axé Omorodé, to attend a ceremony for the Orixá Oxum, and experience regular carioca life in Piedade, a neighborhood in Rio's north zone outside the tourist areas.

Register by December 2026

I'm interested
February 2027

Carnaval Experience

Feb 1–10 $2,300

Arrive in Rio Mon Feb 1 · Depart Rio Wed Feb 10

Experience Rio during Carnaval, with Jorge Alabê as your host. Arrive the week before to catch the final samba school rehearsals. Enjoy community blocos in Jorge's neighborhood, with a chance for experienced drummers to play. Visit a Candomblé house in Jorge's community. Add-on options can include the opportunity to parade with a second group samba school, or to get tickets to the big parades in the Sambódromo if you want the full spectacle.

Needs at least 5–6 people signed up · Register by December 2026

I'm interested

What's Included

January · Samba & Candomblé Immersion

Included in the trip price

  • Shared housing in Copacabana — short walk to the beach
  • Airport transportation on arrival and departure
  • Transportation to all scheduled group activities
  • Visits to rehearsals of top samba schools with Jorge
  • Special visit to Jorge's Candomblé house, Ilê Axé Omorodé, to attend a ceremony for the Orixá Oxum
  • Group activities and excursions

Not included

  • Airfare to and from Rio de Janeiro
  • Meals
  • Entry fees to samba school rehearsals and tourist sites
  • Passport and visa fees

Optional add-ons

  • Private or group drum classes with Jorge
  • Candomblé drum classes
  • Orixá dance classes
  • Samba percussion classes

February · Carnaval Experience

Included in the trip price

  • Shared rooms in an apartment in Copacabana
  • Airport transportation on arrival and departure
  • Transportation to scheduled trip activities
  • Visits to 1–2 final samba school rehearsals in the week before Carnaval
  • Community samba blocos in Jorge's neighborhood, with a chance for experienced drummers to play in one
  • Visit to a Candomblé house in Jorge's community
  • More activities and options

Not included

  • Airfare to and from Rio de Janeiro
  • Meals
  • Entry fees to samba school rehearsals and tourist sites
  • Additional transportation
  • Passport and visa fees

Optional add-ons

  • Parade in the Sambódromo with a dance section of one of the great second group samba schools, such as Império Serrano, Estácio de Sá, or São Clemente (costume separate, cost TBD)
  • Tickets to the official Sambódromo parades, with transportation (second group parades Feb 5–6, special group parades Feb 7–9; prices TBD)
  • Group or private classes in samba percussion, Candomblé drums, or Orixá dance ($25 per person for a 1-hour group class)
Jorge Alabê playing percussion

Your Host

Jorge Alabê

Jorge Alabê comes from the rich musical culture of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The title Alabê means master of the drums, songs, and dance within the practice of Candomblé.

He was initiated by Iya Nitinha de Oxum, from Ilê Axé Iyá Nassô Oká (known as Casa Branca), Salvador, Bahia. Jorge is an authority in Candomblé from his lifetime of experience and teaching in Brazil and the U.S.

He is also a recognized master of samba percussion, with long experience with samba schools in Brazil and the illustrious performing company Oba Oba, as well as his years of playing and teaching in the U.S.

Join Us in Rio

Fill out this form to express your interest, and we'll reach out with more information about how to register. Or contact us directly anytime.

Which trip interests you?

Thank you! We've received your interest and will be in touch soon with details about how to register.

Or reach us directly:

Deborah Cogan
dlcogan@sonic.net