PRISCILA RIOS
MULTICULTURAL ARTIST
about
Priscila Rios is a multicultural artist based in Byron Bay, she has developed a passion for the arts since growing up in such a diverse and rich culture, surrounded by colours, flavours, beats and movements frequently, has shaped her cultural leadership capabilities to become who she is today.
biography
Born and raised in Bahia - Brazil, her influences emerge from an early exposure to a diverse form of music and cultural expressions combined with her Arts studies at University of Bahia.
Her work back home used to combine interdisciplinary ways to teach kids from early childhood about environment and arts leading
major projects for over 3 years at International Pan American School of Bahia.
Since arriving here in Australia, she has finished a diploma in Early Childhood Education and has contribute in many Steiner Schools around NSW sharing her music and dance knowledge.
Here in Byron Bay she created & direct two other major projects: Meninas da Lua and Batala.
Those two projects was well welcomed by local communities and has lead her to performance in many festivals and major venues such as
Island Vibe, Woodford Folk Festival,
Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre,
Splendour in the Grass, Mullum Music Festival, Blues Festival and many others
meninas da lua
Meninas da Lua is a Byron Bay-based
percussion group that represent and perform unique Afro-Brazilian cultures.
This community cultural development project aiming is to break cultural barriers and promote social inclusion through music, causing a social transformation of feminine empowerment.
They teach rhythm, song & movement at regular weekly workshop at local community centre and anywhere they go to a performance, formed mainly by non=musician this vibrant multicultural collective pays homage to the deep roots of Africa and now those influences have traveled onwards to Australia.
batalá
projects
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Batalá Australia is a multicultural project that involves an Afro-Brazilian percussion and dance ensemble playing Samba Reggae originating in Bahia-Brazil.
Bahia was the first landing point for the African slaves, who insisted on keeping their culture alive, even if they had to do it in secret underground arts and music projects. It was originally founded as a part of ‘Bloco Cortego Afro’ as a means of reinstating the African heritage and traditions such as percussion, dance, arts, textiles and the well-known capoeira martial arts dance. It is a fusion of rhythms including Samba and Reggae.
Originally from Byron Bay, the group composed of 15 members from different background has Priscila Rios as musical director and producer.
