The Evanston Escola de Samba (EEDS), a  501(c)(3) Not-For-Profit organization, is one of the first in the U.S. to use the model of the Brazilian escola de samba for community building and outreach, engaging senior citizens, underserved and at-risk youth, as well as general population students of all ages.  Since 2005 we have worked in collaboration with organizations such as the Music Institute of Chicago, Youth Organizations Umbrella, and the Levy Center to fulfill our mission to build bridges between ethnic, generational, and social groups by encouraging intercultural dialogue through the teaching and performance of Brazilian music and dance.
 
For the first time, in 2011, the Evanston Escola de Samba is reaching out to the community to seek support for some of our upcoming projects and current needs, which include:

•    The purchase of costume elements for underserved youth to be used at our performances

•    The purchase of additional Brazilian percussion instruments to be used in residencies, where our professionals bring Brazilian music to public school children

•    Financial support for EEDS’s first theme parade in summer 2011, to be performed at events such as the Evanston 4th of July Parade and the Evanston Ethnic Arts Festival.  This includes the performance of a “Samba Enredo” (theme song) to be recorded by the escola and performed with live musicians in parades

•    Funding for Orchestra de Samba to perform its educational program in Chicago-area public schools

•    Financial support for the 3rd Annual Brazilian Music Festival in October 2011 at the Music Institute of Chicago

Please consider making a tax-deductable donation to EEDS to help us in our mission to bring people together through the learning and performance of Brazilian music and dance.