Escola de Samba Casa Samba School of Cultura Afro-Brasileira

Casa Samba is a samba school and performance ensemble in New Orleans, founded in 1987 by Mestre Curtis Pierre, Bill Lennon, Chuk and Carolyn Barber. On 21 July 1993, Mayor Sidney Bartholomew proclaimed Casa Samba the first samba school in New Orleans. The school's mission is to present audiences with an authentic Brazilian Carnival and folk art experience through weekly open rehearsals and frequent school and university workshops, while educating the New Orleans community and the Gulf South region about the rich cultural traditions of Brasil and the parallels between Carnival in Brasil and Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

Classes are held at the N.O.R.D. Annunciation Center, 800 Race Street, in a facility with a Harlequin sprung dance floor, live drummers, and free parking. Casa Samba teaches Traditional Afro-Brasilian dances from Rio and Bahia including Samba, Samba Reggae, Samba Afro, Orixas, Jongo, Batuque, Cafezal, Maculele, and Capoeira Angola. Classes run across multiple levels: Samba Beginner Dance on Saturdays 10:30am–12:00pm; Samba Advance & Intermediate Dance and Drum on Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:00pm–9:00pm; Capoeira Angola for children (ages 5–12) and adults on Wednesdays and Fridays at 6:00pm–7:00pm and 7:00pm–9:00pm respectively. Saturday children's classes include Kids Stilt Walking and Children's Drumming, both 9:30am–10:30am (or 10:30am–12:00pm for stilt walking). Private classes are available by appointment for individuals, small groups, large organisations, and universities.

Mestre Curtis Pierre directs the school and has studied Brazilian music and dance for over 30 years with master drummer Jorge Alabe from Rio de Janeiro in a self-supported residency for over 15 years, and in the past five years with master percussionist Marcio Peters from the world-famous Brasilian Samba School Ile Aiye in Salvador Bahia. Professora Carolyn Barber-Pierre has been the Afro-Brasilian Dance instructor for Casa Samba for over 23 years and is currently an adjunct instructor of Brasilian Dance at Tulane University in her 11th year. Jorge Alabe, a master drummer from Rio de Janeiro immersed in Brazilian musical culture, holds the title of Alabê, the highest level in drumming and leading of rituals in the candomblé religion, and is connected with Casa Branca, the oldest candomblé house in Brazil. The percussion team is directed by Bomani Pierre, who has led samba drum class since age 9 and has studied with Jorge Alabe from age 4 onwards and Marcio Peters for the past 7 years.

Casa Samba performs at major hotels, festivals, conventions, and special events, and participates annually in several Carnaval/Mardi Gras parades and coronations including Endymion and Zulu balls, and at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. The school combines traditional music, vocals, theatre, dance, and drumming to capture the spirit of Carnival in Brasil and Afro-Brasilian traditions and history. Mestre Curtis has performed for over 100,000 children in the metropolitan New Orleans school systems and surrounding parish schools. In the past 39 years, Casa Samba has represented Afro-Brasilian culture to the community, taking social responsibility for safeguarding children and providing creative and challenging opportunities.

Classes take place in a facility with a Harlequin sprung dance floor, live drummers, and free parking. Beginner and advanced options are available. Most classes run 1.5 to 2 hours, with first class free and walk-ins welcome. Wear sneakers, gym or dance attire; for capoeira, wear loose-fitting clothes without shorts or tank tops.

Mestre Curtis Pierre, founder and director, has studied exclusively with master Brazilian percussionist Jorge Alabe for over 15 years and with Marcio Peters of Ile Aiye for the past five years. Professora Carolyn Barber-Pierre has taught Afro-Brasilian Dance at Casa Samba for over 23 years and is an adjunct instructor at Tulane University. Jorge Alabe, a master drummer from Rio de Janeiro connected with Casa Branca, holds the title Alabê, the highest level in candomblé drumming. Bomani Pierre directs percussion and has studied with both Alabe and Peters. Assisting are Herman Halphen (lead drum instructor, 20+ years experience), Brad Broomfield (assistant musical director), and dance instructors Ayana Thomas and Lai La Ruee.

First class is free; open registration and walk-ins are welcome across beginner and advanced levels.