Vancouver's Queen of Samba is one of the hardest working dancers in the city. You see her perform at festivals, special events and shows, parades (with her students) and teaching Samba classes.

Lucia Azevedo is the top Brazilian performer in British Columbia and the only resident crowned "Queen of Samba". Lucia was given the blessing in Brazil by Rio de Janeiro's best "passista" (samba dancer) Aldione Sena, winner of five golden trophies.

Samba is the traditional dance from Brazil. To achieve the true character of samba a dancer must give it flirtatious and exuberant interpretation. Many moves require rapid pelvic tilt action while maintaining a straight and elegant posture. This action is difficult to accomplish, but without it the dance loses much of its effect. Samba has a very specific rhythm, highlighted to its best by typical Brazilian musical instruments such as tamborim, chocalho, surdo, pandeiro, and cuica.

Lucia Azevedo was born in Ceara, Norteastern Brazil. "Since I was a child I loved to dance. I was always chosen to represent my school in all of the dance presentations", says Lucia. In 1985 she won the title of First Princess of Carnaval of the Governor Island - Rio, and Queen of the Carnaval the following year. In 1993 Lucia became part of the union of the professional organization "SATED". She formed her own group and performed all over Brazil. This also gave her the opportunity to travel to North America and Europe where she performed and taught Samba in1996-97. After this incredible tour she visited Vancouver where she met her soul mate and decided to make Vancouver her new home.

Since 1997 she has been producing and presenting Samba Shows in BC, mainly Vancouver, first participating with local groups: Show Brasil, Ache Brasil, Sambalada, Brejera, Sambata and later on with her own group Queen of Samba. She has done special presentations with the Vancouver Symphony, Jazz Festival and the PNE to name a few. Lucia performed as Carmen Miranda with original costumes in a documentary on her life on Shaw TV at Vancouver Masala Show. As a volunteer she has supported the Brazilian Community Association (BCA) at many festivals and parades. Since 2005, 'Queen of Samba' won first prize in the Multicultural group category at the Caribbean Festival parade in North Vancouver. 2007 celebrated her third win.

Lucia has also represented Brazil for Molson Breweries in numerous publicity campaigns. The Queen regularly returns to Rio to participate in the annual Carnaval Parade, at the Marques de Sapucai Avenue, with some of the top Samba Schools (first prize in 2006). On her last trip to Brasil, Lucia was interviewed by Paulo Oliveira and the 1-hour show was broadcasted live on TV Diario throughout the country.

Lucia has been teaching samba lessons at the University of British Columbia for Club Brasil, at the Portuguese Benevolent Society Centre and lately at the Scotia Dance Centre in downtown Vancouver.

Besides being a talented dancer with twenty years of professional experience, Lucia also expresses her creativity and innovation through her extensive collection of authentic and original Brazilian carnaval costumes, all designed and created by herself.

Lucia takes pride in having dual citizenship. She loves both her native and adopted countries and brings them closer together by sharing her passion for Samba with all Canadians.

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Queen of Samba

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