Africa Meets Brasil is a vibrant celebration of the rich cultural traditions of African and Afro-Brazilian communities in Ireland. Taking place at the Civic Theatre in Tallaght, this dynamic event invites audiences into an evening of powerful cultural exchange through live music, dance, and a film screening to open the programme. Following the sold-out success of the inaugural edition, Africa Meets Brasil returns with a renewed commitment to fostering connection and unity among African, Latin American, and European audiences. This second edition deepens the spirit of celebration, creating space to come together, share stories, and honour the rhythms, histories, and creative expressions that shape our diasporic experiences.
We’ll have an open to the public African & Brazilian dance workshop 2:30 pm to 4pm in the Studio Theatre. From this workshop participants will be invited to join the final song at the main stage performance with bands Yankari & Zeembass.
Event Schedule
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM African & Brazilian Dance Workshop (Open to the Public) with Kelvin Akpaloo and Yves Lorrhan Location: Studio Theatre
*Workshop is free but BOOKING IS REQUIRED Click Here
4:30 PM – 6:45 PM Film Screening: Brasil in time: Batucada com Discos
Directed by Brian Cross
Duration: 2 hours + 15-minute Q&A
Main Stage Performance
7 PM – Yankari
Followed by Zembass
Joint Performance Yankari & Zembass
Finale Final song featuring participant dancers from the African & Brazilian dance workshop
*Dance workshop is FREE. People can not enter the theatre until the screening starts and then only at 6:45pm for the show at 7pm.
Africa Meets Brazil. As part of South Dublin Live, partially funded by South Dublin County Council and supported by African Irish Chamber of Commerce. Produced by Go Dance For Change & Movinner LTD.
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Yankari Afrobeat Collective is more than a band – it’s a movement. Yankari has been carrying the torch of Afrobeat since 2015, honouring its roots while pushing its boundaries. Blending the rhythmic languages of Yoruba, Igbo, and other Nigerian traditions, Yankari’s sound is storytelling in motion – connecting past and future through groove, melody, and message. Inspired by the revolutionary spirit of Fela Kuti, they’ve carved a distinct path that fuses high-energy performance with cultural depth and musical precision.
ZeemBass is a powerhouse of Brazilian groove, funk, soul, and samba rock that has been captivating audiences since 2014. A collective of talented musicians, the band brings an infectious energy to the stage, blending classic Brazilian rhythms with a contemporary flair. With a lineup featuring percussion, drums, acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards, and bass, ZeemBass creates a dynamic sound that gets you moving and keeps you grooving.
Kelvin Akpaloo, is an Irish-Ghanaian facilitator, trainer, dancer and spoken word artist, passionate about promoting human rights issues, inclusion and the integration of minorities, community development and youth development. He works on the national and international levels with the use of creative methods, including spoken word, movement, poetry and dance.
Yves is a Brazilian dance artist based in Ireland with many years of experience in Ballroom, Afro-Brazilian, and Contemporary Dance. He has collaborated with renowned artists and performed across festivals and international platforms. Yves was also awarded the Artist in the Community Scheme by Create Ireland and the Arts Council of Ireland’s Dance Bursary to deepen his practice, including a residency at Tic Tac Arts Centre in Belgium.
Presented By: Go Dance For Change
