Ẹgbẹ́ Ọmọ Alairá

Jorge Alabê and Ẹgbẹ́ Ọmọ Alairá present a variety of Orixa classes and other Afro-Brazilian offerings in Oakland, California throughout the year. You can explore our usual class offerings below:

Song and Dance

Jorge Alabê was raised in the Candomblé house of Sociedade Nossa Senhora das Candeias in Rio de Janeiro, and presents Orixa dance movement as practiced in the Candomblé de Ketu tradition. These classes provide a special opportunity to study Candomblé dance with someone with exceptional knowledge and a deep understanding of the entire tradition. Jorge shows the fundamental connections between drum rhythms, songs, and dance movements with live drum accompaniment.

These classes are open to people with all levels of experience who are interested in learning the original tradition from Jorge’s lifetime of experience. The classes are offered as a 4-class series on Sunday afternoons (no-drop ins) in Oakland, California, and can also be joined remotely.

For specific dates, times, and registration/payment information, please email Aníbal Mejía at candomble@omoalaira.org.

Rhythm

Jorge Alabê, master Ogan in the Afro-Brazilian religion of Candomblé, teaches Orixa and other traditional Brazilian drum rhythms and songs on an ongoing basis. These are in-person classes offered in series of 4-classes, and are also available for participation remotely via Zoom.

The classes cover the full range of drum rhythms in the Ketu, Angola, and Jeje traditions of Candomblé, as played on atabaques or conga drums, drawing from Jorge Alabê’s lifetime of musical experience. Orixa songs are also included to explore the connection with rhythms and rituals.

These classes are open to ongoing participants as well as new students, and all levels of experience are welcome. Participants should plan to bring their own conga drum and sticks. (There is a limited number of extra drums that may be used during the class.) Additionally, video recordings will be made available to participants after each class.

Ogan Charanga, student of Jorge Alabê and initiated drummer in Ilê Axé Omorodê in Rio de Janeiro, also offers introductory Orixa rhythm and song classes on an ongoing basis.

For specific dates, times, and registration/payment information, please email Aníbal Mejía at candomble@omoalaira.org.

Other Offerings

Samba

Mestre Jorge Alabê, director of Grupo Samba Rio, offers mixed-level Rio-style samba bateria classes. Come and join to learn or tune-up your samba. Classes focus on samba drum technique and ensemble playing, and are open to all levels of experience. Plan to bring your own instruments – surdo, caixa, repinique, tamborim, agogo, chocalho. (If you don’t have your own, be sure to let us know in advance and we may be able to bring extras to borrow).

For specific dates, times, and registration/payment information, please email Deborah Cogan at dlcogan@sonic.net.

Pagode

Jorge Alabê offers pagode class series on an ongoing basis as well. This is a fun class for all levels, and is available for participation in person in Oakland, or online via Zoom.

In these classes, Jorge presents technique and style on all the typical pagode instruments, including pandeiro, tantan, surdo, repique de mão, reco-reco, tamborim, agogo, and caixa. 1-2 songs will be introduced each week. Online participants will be given access to record the Zoom session, and a recording will be provided for participants.

Please bring your own instruments if you have them (some instruments are available to borrow during the class). These classes are offered on a series basis (no drop-ins), and advance sign-up is required. Classes will be confirmed based on a minimum number of people registered.

For specific dates, times, and registration/payment information, please email Deborah Cogan at dlcogan@sonic.net.