Austin Samba 25th Anniversary: Celebrating Jacaré’s Legacy | 2026 Concert

Austin Samba will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a performance at Zilker Hillside Theater on April 18, 2026, from 7:30 p.m. To 9:30 p.m. The event, titled “25 Years of Austin Samba: Honoring Jacaré’s Legacy,” will showcase the group’s percussion and dance, reflecting the traditions of Brazilian Carnaval.

Founded in 2001 by Robert “Jacaré” Patterson, Austin Samba, too known as the Acadêmicos da Ópera, has grown into a community educational and performance group with over 40 drummers and approximately 60 dancers, according to information from the group and a fundraising campaign.

The organization’s mission, as stated on its website, is “To study and perform samba and its related forms, folkloric and modern, at our highest possible level of artistry and authenticity, using this art form to build our community in the spirit of reciprocal altruism and love.” Austin Samba offers classes for beginners annually and performs at a variety of events, including parades, festivals, and charity functions.

The anniversary performance will feature music and dance styles from different regions of Brazil, including Rio and Bahia, drawing from Afro-Brazilian traditions. Austin Samba often collaborates with the Las Monas performance company from San Antonio for events like Dia de los Muertos and Carnaval celebrations.

Austin Samba is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is part of the City of Austin’s Artist Access Program, supported by the Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment Department and the Dougherty Arts Center. The City of Austin is committed to providing reasonable modifications and equal access to communications for individuals with disabilities. assistance is available at (512) 974-3917 or through Relay Texas 7-1-1. Interpretation services can be requested by calling Austin 3-1-1 or 512-974-2000, with requests needing to be made at least five days in advance.

Current leadership includes Robert “Jacaré” Patterson as Founder and President, Lee Clippard as Director, Clark Richards as Assistant Director, and dance directors Imani Aanu, Naomi Espinoza, and Tammy Harden. The Board of Directors consists of Tammy Harden (president), Noah Mosgofian, Elizabeth Hulse, Kathryn Bongiovanni, Bethany Oakes, and Renzo Hayashi.