Still burning…
Bloco Fogo was formed in Tunbridge Wells in the year 2000, thanks to Millennium Lottery funding. It all began with a series of workshops led by Carnival Collective from Brighton, which helped us grow musically and in size. Today, we have over 100 members and have established ourselves as one of the largest and most versatile samba bands in Kent and the South East.
In 2006, we expanded our reach by establishing a second group in Maidstone, and in 2017, we merged both groups to a single rehearsal space in Paddock Wood. Our strong team of directors, led by our Musical Director, who has served over 20 years with the band, ensures that our performances are of the highest quality.
Over the years, we have built strong links with South East arts companies including Same Sky, Strange Cargo, Cohesion Plus and Kent Equality Cohesion Council. We like to support events that celebrate our community and have collaborated on a series of Samba-Bhangra fusion performances with The Bollywood Brass Band and Four By Four Bhangra Dancers.
Behind the scenes, we have an enthusiastic and proactive committee that ensures that everything runs smoothly. We are available for gigs, parties, and corporate events across Kent, the UK, and Europe, to entertain you with our vibrant Brazilian carnival drumming and colourful costumes.
Above: Bloco Fogo's costumes used to be simple: wearing red, yellow, or orange (or black) to represent fire. Back then, our name was Bloco Fuego, which originates from Spanish. Later on, we changed our name to Bloco Fogo, a more fitting Brazilian name that means Band of Fire.
Below: London’s New Years Day Parade 2023
Brazilian Samba With A Twist
Bloco Fogo's foundation is deeply rooted in the traditional drums and rhythms of Brazil's diverse regions, particularly in Samba Reggae, Funk and Samba Batucada (Rio's iconic style!). Our music has evolved to encompass a broad spectrum of influences from African, Cuban and modern dance grooves, and we take pride in combining these genres to create a unique and vibrant sound.