Samba Soul Dance Company’s Gisella Ferreira

Today the Venice Paparazzi Spotlight Shines on Samba Soul Dance Company’s Gisella Ferreira.

Tell us about your music/band.
Samba Soul Dance Company is thrilled to be performing for our Venice community here at the Venice Music Festival on Aug. 25, 2018. We perform all over Los Angeles, so dancing at the Venice Music Festival feels like dancing in our back yard. We train and hold dance class here in Venice at studios, Shape 90291 and the Electric Lodge as well as at Venice Beach, Venice is our Samba home. The art of Samba builds community and empowers us through movement and music. We dance to uplift ourselves and our community and to bring joy, healing and inspiration to all. Samba Soul Dance Company & Escola de Samba Samba Soul specializes in the artistry and expression of authentic Brazilian Samba Dance. Enjoy the elegance and joyful spirit of Rio’s Carnival through performances by the Samba Soul dance company as they brighten up any stage with their colorful costumes and exceptionally trained authentic samba techniques. The Samba Soul School is based out of the Global Dance Arts in Los Angeles, CA and is directed by renowned Samba Queen Gisella Ferreira. It is LA’s first Samba School, which offers weekly classes open to the community. Samba Soul’s professional dance company trains and performs throughout Southern California. @sambasouldancecompany

Genre:
Brazilian Samba Dance

Your job in the band:
Artistic Director of Samba Soul Dance Company

What projects are your currently working on?
Currently working on our tour to Brasil for Carnaval February 2019 as well as upcoming shows at Samba Queen USA this fall.

Past bands/ Albums recorded:
Brazilian Samba Basics DVD tutorial

How did you get into it?
I have been dancing Samba as long as I could walk. I’m not even joking. I started as a toddler. My dad would hold me around my waist and say “Samba Gisella”. As I did my baby steps, he would help me shift my weight and sway my hips from side to side. My dad would put on his old Samba records and we would dance. As I grew up Samba was one of my main ways of connecting and relating to my dad. I’m so grateful to him for teaching me from an early age and for dancing with me throughout the years. I also samba to make him proud and show him what a powerful impact he has had on me.

Photo courtesy of gisellasambista.com

Why are you excited about playing Venice Beach Music Fest 13 on August 25 from the Ocean Stage?

Samba Soul Dance Company is thrilled to be performing for our Venice community here at the Venice Music Festival. We perform all over Los Angeles, so dancing at the Venice Music Festival feels like dancing in our back yard. We train and hold dance class here in Venice at studios, Shape 90291 and the Electric Lodge, as well as at Venice Beach. Venice is our Samba home.

©Andrew Goetz

What brings you to the arts and how has it helped your life?

The art of Samba builds community and empowers us through movement and music. We dance to uplift ourselves and our community and to bring joy, healing and inspiration to all.

Best memory/show:
We had a wonderful time performing for Venice Spring Fling in May.

What advice would you give someone starting out in your field?
To take class and train as much as possible to grow.

Favorite book, band or movie?

Abundance Now by Lisa Nicols
The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho

What causes do you support?
Teaching dance in the community. Sharing Samba with at risk youth.

Favorite affirmation, mantra, or quote:
“He who experiences the unity of life sees his own Self in all beings, and all beings in his own Self.” ― Bhagavad Gita

Photo courtesy of gisellasambista.com

What’s one thing we can do to make the world a better place?
Be kind

List 1-2 things on your bucket list, and 1-2 on your VENICE bucket list:
I want to hang out at the top of the Hotel Erwin. I want to go parasailing around Venice.

Anything else you want to share about yourself to the world? Fun facts.
I love banana pancakes, the best Açai bowls from the Fruit Gallery and a delicious cafe from Menotti Coffee Shop. I love their secret menu!

Photo courtesy of gisellasambista.com

VENICE QUESTIONS:

Describe Venice:
The chill part of LA.

Describe your perfect day in Venice:
Starting the day with an Açai bowl at Fruit gallery, grabbing a cup of Joe at Menotti’s, and dancing Zumba and Samba on the beach with my amazing students. Dancing on the beach is my favorite! The feeling of the sand and the ocean breeze as you dance away all your worries and become transformed into a joyful state of bliss…ahhh the best! After the Samba, jumping in the ocean and then laying out and enjoying some Sandia on the beach with friends.

List any of your favorite Venice businesses, event(s) or activities?
Fruit Gallery and Menotti’s Coffee Shop

Who has the best Venice nightlife? Favorite places to watch live music?
The Town House

What is your craziest or fondest Venice experience?
Parading down the Venice Beach Boardwalk with our Samba Soul crew!

©Andrew Goetz

Any shoutouts?
Big thank you to studios: Shape 90291 and Electric Lodge for your continued support of our Dance Company and my teaching here in Venice.

Anything else about Venice that you would like to say?
This place reminds me of my home town of Santa Cruz. I love it here!

Who should Venice Paparazzi cast the spotlight on next?
Fruit Gallery family owned business on the boardwalk.