International Queen and King of Samba Opening Day

Brazilian dance gets a full weekend in Los Angeles this October, and it starts on the 9th. The International Queen and King of Samba Competition opens at Brasil Brasil Cultural Center, kicking off a program that runs through October 11 and brings dancers and teachers in from Brazil, Chicago and across the United States.

When: Friday, October 9, 2026, 5:00 to 9:00 PM Where: Brasil Brasil Cultural Center, 12453 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066 Tickets: From $35, with a $20 minimum consumption

What to expect

The competition is organized by Samba N' Motion, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and promoting Afro-Brazilian culture through dance, education and community programming. The program mixes workshops with competition. Brazilian professionals including Dill Costa, Danielle Lima, Luana Bandeira, Marcio Dellawageh, Wallace Araujo and Thais Ferreira teach the classes, and the competition's founder, Angelique Starks of Arizona, teaches and judges.

The classes with the Brazilian teachers are open to the public on October 9 and 11, and the public ticket lets you attend and support the competitors. Competitors enter as amateur, professional or group dancers, so expect a mix of first-timers and seasoned performers. If you have been looking for things to do in Los Angeles that go beyond a standard night out, watching a room full of samba dancers work with master teachers is a good answer.

Plan your visit

The public ticket is sold through the organizer's Zeffy page, and the listed tier includes a $20 minimum consumption, so budget for food and drinks on top of entry. The final competition night is a separate evening on October 10 at Savoy Entertainment and Event Center in Inglewood, so check the schedule before you buy.

Opening day sits right in the middle of the week's LA events this weekend, and Washington Boulevard is easy to reach from the Westside and Culver City. Street parking nearby can fill up on event nights, so give yourself a few extra minutes. For more picks, browse our arts and culture coverage and the Los Angeles neighborhood page.

Samba is as much about community as technique. Come curious, bring comfortable shoes if you plan to join a class, and plan to stay for the music.