Great Samba Day: Samigo & Samba Amigos, Samba Workshop, Dance Lessons and Parade - Malmi Summer Events 2026

Come and watch as Lower Malmi Square transforms into a samba carnival! The day features a samba workshop, dance lessons, and a spectacular samba parade.

Day's Programme

17.00-17.30 Samigo's Samba Workshop for Everyone

Samigo's Samba Workshop is an open ensemble session for all levels and age groups, where you'll learn about Afro-Brazilian rhythm and get ideas for playing samba reggae rhythms with simple elements. No previous experience is needed and instruments can be borrowed on site.
Location: Lower Malmi Square

17.30-18.00 1st Set and 18.30-19.15 2nd Set - Samigo & Samba Amigos

Samigo & Samba Amigos perform Brazilian classics - samba, bossa nova, baião and mpb - in both Portuguese and Finnish.
Line-up:
Elina Kardén - vocals and percussion
Ville Veikko Ijäs - guitar and backing vocals
Sami "Samigo" Kontola - drums and percussion
Sasu Ijäs - bass
Eduardo Maia Paiva - percussion
Location: Konttilava, Lower Malmi Square

18.00-18.20 Samba Dance Lessons

Cassio Ribeiro and Johanna Himberg teach basic samba steps. No previous dance experience is needed - everyone is welcome!
Location: Lower Malmi Square

19.15-19.30 Samba Show

Samba is a symbiosis: drummers play for dancers and dancers dance for drummers. Together they create an immersive samba experience.
Line-up:
Samigo & Samba Amigos
Guest samba drummers from Helsinki Samba School Império do Papagaio
Cassio Ribeiro & Johanna Himberg
Location: Lower Malmi Square

19.30-19.50 Samba Parade

The samba day culminates in a parade led by the samba drum group and dancers, where everyone can join in by dancing if they wish.
Location: Lower Malmi Square

Free admission to all events!