ABOUT US
Raiz Brazil Dance Company
Raiz Brazil Dance Company had its debut in February 2008 at the Sambala Carnival Ball at the Vault 350 in Long Beach by its founder Jonia McClenney.
Jonia is from Brazil and she wanted to make art and entertainment come together exploring the Brazilian rhythms like samba, axe, samba-reggae, frevo and fusing them with other traditional dance techniques like ballet, jazz, modern and hiphop.
We bring fun, sexy and classy entertainment, fascinating the audiences with the culture and art behind the glitter and the sultry moves.
Launch of Raiz Brazil Seattle in August 2022 with local Director Diana Bohn!
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Raiz Brazil has performed in different Events in California like Private Parties, Restaurants, Casinos, Clubs, Bolivian Carnival Crucena, Brazilian Carnival Ball in San Diego with Brazilian Productions, Santa Barbara Brazilian Carnival produced by Soul Brasil Magazine, Carnival en Ensenada/Mexico, a Circus Show for 6 weeks in Northern California called “Circo Brazil Show”. In Casinos and Hotels in Las Vegas and Reno like the “Four Seasons in Las Vegas”, “Atlantis Casino in Reno”, “Grand Sierra Resort & Casino in Reno”.
In 2012 Raiz Brazil Dance Company performed in 7 different Macy's Stores in Los Angeles area, and in the same year Raiz Brazil Dancers performed with Ozomatli Band in the “Playboy Jazz Festival 2012” at the Hollywood Bowl. Raiz Brazil has performed in Bangkok/ Thailand and in Hunan at the “Changsha International Arts Festival” in China. During the World Cup 2014 Raiz Brazil did many performances for Bud light in many events in Los Angeles, as well appearances on TV, “Brazilian Summer Festival” with Brazilian Nites at the Ford Amphitheater.
Performing in Russia
Performing in China
In the past 2 years Raiz Brazil Dance Company has weekly residency at the Conga Room Club at LA Live (in downtown Los Angeles) , at Kravings Fusion Brazilian Steakhouse in Tarzana (great Los Angeles) and monthly at Rio Grill Brazilian Steakhouse in Clovis (Central California).
In the Summer of 2016 Raiz Brazil went on tour to Russia to perform as a headliner in the Arkhanglesk Street Theatre Festival and coming back to Los Angeles, Raiz Brazil featuring 24 Samba Dancers performed with Sergio Mendes at the Hollywood Bowl in event highlighting the Olympics in Brazil.
In some events/parties we get audience participation as well, getting the party goers the festive feeling of the carnival, making them have an unforgettable and exciting Brazilian experience!
Jônia McClenney
Jônia was born and raised in Brazil and she has danced her whole life, from Brazilian folk dances to classical styles like ballet, jazz, contemporary and hip hop. She is the creator/founder of Raiz Brazil Dance Company. Jônia has been performing Samba professionally for 16 years and she is the current "Samba Queen USA 2016/17".
Jônia also has accomplished other samba competitions and titles over the years, like "Queen of the Drums" for Sambalá Samba School 2008-2011, "Santa Barbara Brazilian Carnival Queen 2014", "San Diego Brazil Carnival Queen 2014", "Hollywood Carnival Queen 2015".