Earagail Arts Festival is delighted to welcome Alessandra Azevedo – the first artist in residence under a new partnership with Dublin Fringe Festival.

Alessandra is an Afro-Brazilian dancer, Capoeira performer & instructor from Salvador, Bahia – home to the largest African diaspora population & Afro-Brazilian culture. Her practice is rooted in body movement to promote connections and cultural education. Since moving to Ireland in 2015 she has established herself as an ambassador of the Afro-Brazilian culture in Ireland, working with choreographers Catherine Young, John Scott & more as well as Dublin City Council, Dublin Dance Festival, Axis Ballymun, Carlow Arts and Dublin Fringe Festivals.

Leading her dance groups Criola Dance & Natural Rhythm, Alessandra has performed at major festivals sharing rhythms & dances that developed from these roots that still echo the strength, culture, resilience and beauty of ancient communities. Alessandra is working increasingly in arts performance dealing with themes of representation and de-colonisation.

During her week in residence and as part of Terra, her new work in progress, Alessandra will be connecting with communities and dancers of all backgrounds to promote cultural connections.

A number of free spaces for the workshop and sharing are available to community groups, particularly those supporting disadvantaged, marginalised or discriminated communities. Please contact ca@eaf.ie for details.