By By Tim Parsons, Lake Tahoe Action | Tahoe.com

Even Shaun White could learn some new tricks from SambaDa.
This week’s band at Rail Jam Thursdays brings Brazilian moves and grooves.
“It’s about dancing and enjoying life,” said electric guitarist Will Kahn. “We have two full-time percussionists and at times all eight of us are playing percussion.”
SambaDa formed in 1997 from what began as a class in Santa Cruz by Brazilian native Papiba Godinho, master of an ancient art which combines fighting and dancing.
“Capoeira was created by African slaves in Brazil disguising a martial art as song and dance and acrobatics,” Kahn said. “The slave owners thought they were dancing, and it was OK with them, but really they were training to fight. It is a beautiful art form that has deep, deep roots.”
Godinho is joined in the band by Dandha da Hora, who came aboard in 2005.
“Dandha comes from the first black carnival group in Brazil, Ile Aiye, which as been around for 37 years,” Kahn said. “She started dancing with it when she was 6 and by time she was 24 she was principal dancer of the group. She was the face of black Brazil.”
Inspired by the black power and civil rights movement in the United States, Ile Aiye challenges racism and promotes self-esteem through education, culture and tradition.
“We were the first U.S. band to play at house of Ilê Aiyê in July,” Kahn said. “It was an incredible honor and a life-affirming experience.”
SambaDa has three albums, the last two produced by Greg Landau. The songs are sung in Portuguese.
The Crystal Bay Casino will present Rail Jam Thursdays through March 18. Karey Todd is the host of the event sponsored by Diamond Peak, Tahoe Dave’s Ski’s & Boards and Tahoe TV. It features ski and board movies, drawings for lift tickets, swag and drink specials.


Where: Crystal Bay Casino Crown Room
Cover: free