Once you have experienced a dance floor under the careful watch of DJ Anjali and The Incredible Kid, there is no going back to your previous life. Add to this the percussion of the Bloco Alegria players and the dynamism of Bloco Alegria dancers, you might even forget who you are.

If this sounds like fun, start your transformation when the doors open at 9pm. Bloco plays at 10pm, and its gorgeous dancers help bring in the New Year at midnight.

Let's hang onto our hats together. See you there.

Metro offers a day of food and music from around the world at Blue Lake Regional Park, starting at 11:00AM and ending at 5:00PM. Get ready to dance and groove when Bloco Alegria adds its special sauce at 2:30PM. If you've never been to Blue Lake Park, maybe September 5th is the day to do it!

Excerpted from the Facebook page hosted by Pauline Serrano...

Master percussionist Eduardo “Dudu” Fuentes is one of Rio de Janeiro’s foremost percussionists, and a very popular instructor at California Brazil Camp which is held every year in Cazadero, California. As former director and principal arranger of the popular Carnaval bloco, Bangalafumenga, Dudu is recognized for creating percussion arrangements that have breathed new life into Brazilian rhythms. Dudu’s unique style of adapting folkloric Brazilian rhythms like ciranda, côco, maculelê and ijexá for samba bateria instruments has taken him around the world teaching workshops in Europe, Asia and the United States.

Formerly a member and teacher for the award-winning group, Monobloco, Dudu currently teaches and arranges for his new bloco, Batucalacatuca (BaTUcalacaTUca). He also is part of Du Rio, a band created along with other members of Monobloco. When Dudu is not working with his blocos, he parades in the baterias of various Rio samba schools including São Clemente, Imperio Serrano and Portela. 

Please bring typical bateria instruments. Extras are always appreciated for those who may not have equipment. 

Dudu will teach us two pieces: a Samba rhythm and another cool rhythm to be determined soon!

Cost: $20

People will be gathering at 6:00PM for the usual sectional-style lessons as well as for workshop preparation/anticipation. The workshop will run from 7:00PM to 9:00PM. If you don't show up at 6:00PM, at least try to arrive before the workshop starts.

Expect an after party, either at the Union or at a local establishment.

Bloco Alegria performs its first concert for the Portland Parks and Recreation Bureau summer concert series.

What better setting than Mt. Tabor's natural amphitheater wrought of volcanic rock to hear the samba eruptions of Bloco Alegria!

Bloco Alegra's musicians and dancers accompany the racers as they whiz by on the trails (yes, trails) of the Portland International Raceway. The event? The July 6th installment of the 2015 Portland Short Track Monday evening series. If you're not up for racing your own machine, enjoy a lively summer afternoon and evening replete with cycling, music, dance, food and drink.

Bloco Alegria is honored to join the performers at the Salem Multicultural Institute's annual World Beat Festival at Riverfront Park in Salem. Enjoy individual and group performances from around the world at this one of a kind event.

Last year there were over 80 performing acts and more than 23,000 attendees. The theme this year is the "Story of the Drum."

Bloco Alegria celebrates the popular World Naked Bike Ride with some samba love for the riders when they complete their breezy journey through various parts of Portland. The band will play at the terminus of the ride, welcoming the arriving cyclists with hot Brazilian dance grooves.

The ride will start at Colonel Summers Park without the participants or Bloco Alegria knowing the ultimate destination of the pedal pushers. Leaving out some details, the vanguard will know the end of the ride is near when they hear the sonic beacon of Portland's only community samba band.

The clock to "naked nirvana" is ticking...

Join Bloco Alegria at the International Make Music Day stage at McCoy Park, sponsored by Willamette Week and the City of Portland. This event coincides with the City's North Portland Sunday Parkways event. McCoy Park is along the Sunday Parkways route, so it'll be a breeze to cycle on by and catch some samba along the way.

If you want to try some samba with your açaí, come to Carioca Bowls' grand opening at SE 9th and Alberta. Bloco Alegria's percussionists and dancers will be adding lively flavors to the already delicious treats served by Portland's first açaí cafe . Also enjoy capoeira, outdoor yoga, and more live music while you take in the last day of a beautiful Spring.

If you you're curious about or interested in performing with Bloco Alegria, come to the Wednesday workshop to learn and play a variety of Brazilian music styles from the band's repertoire. The workshop runs from 7pm to 9pm in the FICA Capoeira Angola studio at 707 NE Broadway on the second floor of the building.

Join the visual and musical feast at the Bahia Brazil Arts Center as Bloco Alegria accompanies Ana Laidley, renowned Brazilian dancer and choreographer. Be prepared for a lively and welcoming night of music and dance celebrating the musical and dance heritage of Bahia.

At the historic Embers, Bloco Alegria lays down music and dance grooves on a promotional video, recorded by a sound engineer and a videographer. Witness the process and move the body. No cover.

Bloco Alegria takes another trip to the Crystal Ballroom, this time for its annual birthday party. Kicking off the show, Bloco Alegria's bateria and dancers will sizzle up some saucy samba, preparing the crowd for an ecstatic evening of musical moments. It's a free, all-ages event.