FORRÓ IN WASHINGTON, D.C.: WORKSHOPS AND COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS
Looking to dance forró in Washington, D.C.?
Connect with the local community, explore free learning resources, and find out about future workshops with Rafael from Forró New York.
Forró New York has been teaching workshops and developing community collaborations in Washington, D.C. since 2019, while also offering online learning resources that dancers in Washington can access year-round.
KEEP DANCING IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
FREE WORKSHOP RECAPS
Revisit selected videos from our Washington workshops. Free website registration is required.
FUTURE VISITS
Hear about upcoming workshops with Rafael in Washington when new dates are confirmed.
LOCAL COMMUNITY
Looking for opportunities to dance in Washington? Follow Forró DC for local announcements and activities.
A RELATIONSHIP BUILT THROUGH WORKSHOPS AND COMMUNITY COLLABORATION
Since the first workshop series in 2019, Rafael has returned to Washington to teach and develop activities with local organizers and visiting educators. The visits documented below trace that relationship through studio workshops, outdoor gatherings, live music, and events hosted by community members.
WASHINGTON, D.C. COLLABORATION ARCHIVE
2019 - THE FIRST WASHINGTON COLLABORATION WITH CAMILA ALVES
The first Washington project began in 2019 and was organized by Rafael through Forró New York in collaboration with guest teacher Camila Alves and members of the local community. It formed part of a wider United States and Canada tour that also included Boston, Chicago, Montreal, and Toronto. The Washington program combined indoor and outdoor workshops with parties and shared community activities.
2025 - WORKSHOP WITH FIONA LADYBIRD AND LIVE FORRÓ AT BOSSA
In June 2025, Rafael returned to Washington with guest teacher Fiona Ladybird as part of a short teaching tour connecting New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. At Bossa Bistro & Lounge, they taught a two-hour workshop welcoming dancers with different levels of experience.
The class was followed by an extended social dance with live music by Forró Trio.
2025 - A COLLABORATIVE WEEKEND CONCEIVED AND PLANNED BY YASMINE
Yasmine is an American forró teacher currently based in Barcelona, where she is actively involved in the European forró scene. Drawing on her connection to the United States, she conceived and planned this Washington collaboration, inviting Rafael from Forró New York to participate as a teaching partner and co-producer.
Held in July 2025, the weekend brought together two days of workshops and social dance activities.
2025 - ALICE RODRIGUES’ FIRST U.S. TEACHING TOUR
Alice Rodrigues is a Brazilian forró teacher and examiner with Pé Descalço, one of the largest forró schools in the world. Her work regularly takes her to festivals, workshops, and educational events in Brazil and abroad.
Her 2025 collaboration with Rafael and Forró New York marked her first visit to the United States as a teacher. The project developed as a short East Coast teaching tour connecting New York, Philadelphia, and Washington.
The Washington program unfolded across two very different settings. On Saturday, Alice and Rafael led an intimate workshop at the home of a community member who has played an active and important role in Washington’s forró scene. The workshop continued naturally into a lively and welcoming house party, allowing participants to spend time together in a more informal setting.
On Sunday, the collaboration moved to Bossa Bistro & Lounge. Alice and Rafael led a larger, more structured workshop on the venue’s second floor. After the class, participants joined a public party downstairs, where the restaurant and club space opened the experience to a broader local audience. The evening also featured live music by Trio Odara with Rose Moraes, performing on Bossa’s stage.
The weekend also created space for conversations between Alice and Rafael about teaching, partnership, and the active role of followers in forró, reflections that later contributed to an article and recorded conversation developed through Forró New York.
→ READ: THE ROLE OF THE FOLLOWER IN FORRÓ
Watch the conversation in Portuguese with English subtitles.
2026 - FORRÓ WORKSHOPS DURING FIESTA DC WEEKEND
In September 2026, Rafael returned to Washington during Fiesta DC weekend, when Brazil was the festival’s Country of Honor. Members of the Forró DC community took part in the Parade of Nations with a vehicle representing the local forró community, bringing forró into a much larger multicultural celebration in the center of Washington.
Alongside the weekend's broader cultural activities, Rafael led a series of classes for local dancers. The classes moved from fundamentals to turns, creating different entry points for beginners and more experienced participants. Activities took place outdoors at Malcolm X Park and Freedom Plaza.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THESE VISITS
Local hosts and volunteers have helped organize activities, welcome visiting teachers, and open their homes for workshops and parties. Their contributions have been essential to Rafael’s collaborations with Washington’s forró community.
FREE WORKSHOP RECAPS FOR WEBSITE MEMBERS
Review selected movements and exercises from our Washington workshops through short recap videos, available free to registered website members.
Click below to watch. If needed, you’ll be prompted to log in or create a free account.
These free recaps are designed to help dancers revisit material from our in-person Washington workshops. For more structured year-round learning, you can also explore the Forró New York online courses.
NEW TO FORRÓ?
Get familiar with the rhythm, basic steps, and shared experience of dancing with a partner.
These short guides from Forró New York offer a starting point for dancers in Washington before a class, social dance, or future workshop with Rafael.
FUTURE WORKSHOPS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
Rafael visits Washington for occasional workshops and collaborations with local partners. Forró New York does not offer weekly classes in the city.
Join the newsletter below to hear about future Washington visits when they are confirmed. Between visits, you can revisit material through the free Washington workshop recaps or continue learning year-round through Forró New York's online courses.
CONTINUE EXPLORING
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