History

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. 

2018 Procession Hyacinth Macaws

Steering Committee

Samba Olywa is led by a Steering Committee of drummers and dancers:

Drum Chair: David Moseley
Dance Chairs: Addison Appleby & Erin Gollehon
Costume Chair: Carol Riley
Communications: Juli Kelen
Logistics: Skip Albertson
Treasurer: Karen Janowitz
Member-at-Large: Lee Miller