The Lavagem Celebration: Wisdom of Our Elders is a four-day cultural community event that integrates African-Brazilian and international Indigenous traditions. This year’s theme is the Wisdom of Our Elders. The celebration includes dance, music, and educational workshops that highlight African-Brazilian, Indigenous, and African diasporic cultural practices.
The festival takes place from April 10 to 13, 2025, at various venues in Charlotte, North Carolina.
All the events are FREE.
The celebration fosters community engagement and cross-cultural exchange, offering participants a chance to learn and experience traditional dances and music, performances, and artistic expressions with master teachers from Salvador, Bahia, and Brazil.
Guests can join in on the dance workshops and/or enjoy the performances. It is a celebration for the entire family.
The celebration is inspired by the traditional Lavagem do Bonfim in Brazil, a cleansing ritual that symbolizes spiritual renewal and unity.
Guests are encouraged to join in the activities, but it is not required. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes for movement. Please also bring water bottles to stay hydrated.
Schedule
Thursday, April 10
Opening Ceremony
Mint Museum Uptown
500 S Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
- 6 p.m.: Welcome and Historical Reverence, Presentation
- 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.: Honoring the land, Caboclos with Jose Ricardo
- 7:45 to 9 p.m: Honoring the Motherland, Dança Afro with Nildiinha Fonseca
- 9 to 9:30 p.m: Wrap up
Friday, April 11
The Legacy of Mestre Jelon
XLNC Dance Studios
3716 West W.T. Harris Blvd, Charlotte, NC
- 6 to 7:45 p.m.: Honoring Mestre Jelon
- 7:45 to 8:30 p.m.: Capoeira with Mestre Jelon
- 8:30 to 9:15p.m.: Open Roda with Mestre Alegria
Saturday, April 12
Historic Rosedale, 3427 N Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
Gantt Center for African American Arts+Culture, 551 S Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
Wear All White, if possible
Historic Rosedale
- 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.: Capoeira with Alegria
- 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.: Community Capoeira
- 11:15 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Lavagem Procession (live percussion, samba, capoeira and more)
The Gantt Center
- 1 to 2:15 p.m.: Silvestre Dance Technique with founder, Rosangela Silvestre
- 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.: Talk with Mainha da Bahia
- 3:15 to 4:45 p.m.: Symbology of the Orixa Dances Workshop
Sunday, April 13
Mint Museum Uptown
500 S Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
- 1 to 4 p.m.: Closing Ceremonies
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Upcoming Events in the Charlotte area
Check out our full events calendar, where you can enter any date, or look at the events for the next few days here:Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture
551 South Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
704-547-3700
