Samba Olywa is the product of two confluences: The Procession of the Species and The Evergreen State College. In 1995, Evergreen faculty member Terry Setter acquired a set of Brazilian percussion instruments through a “Points of Light” grant and offered an academic program where students could learn the joyful music of Carnaval, Brazilian samba. Around that same time, a motley group of Olympia artists and activists conceived the idea of a Procession of the Species: a community celebration of the natural world through art. Eli Sterling, an original organizer, felt that music would round out the celebration and give it staying power. It was a logical step for the samba instruments and players from Evergreen to “seed” a new band in the Olympia area: Samba Olywa. Musical and organizational leadership was also provided by Geoff Johns, John Ridgway, Becky Liebman, and Scott Saunders. Our group began in 1995 as a joyful musical addition to the Procession of the Species, the Olympia community’s honoring of the natural world through music, art, and dance. Soon, invitations to perform at other events came our way. Over the years, Samba Olywa has performed at the Northwest Folklife Festival, high school and college graduations, farmer’s market openings, and local events such as a neighborhood Halloween celebration. We are also available for hire for private events.
