Balé Folclórico da Bahia

Amazing show. It stays true to its Yoruba and African roots with the early Portuguese influence. Simply beautiful, they preserved their history, culture and ancestry through song and dance as was done for thousands of years before the world convinced us that Africans were less than. A must see.

Wow!! What an impressive show!! It was beyond my expectations!! Super intense, action-packed, very professional and theatrical acts! I fell in love with the culture even more. This is a must go when in Salvador. It was a packed house so get your tickets early

Great overall experience. Another review said this, and I second the notion - they definitely need an MC or someone to explain what is going on before each set. Even if only a 45 second intro with the name and significance so the audience isn't in the dark. Especially the howling/bellowing. I nominate the man who engages the audience to clap along with his instrument. The theater is intimate with stadium style bench seating. There is no back support. It's best to email the contacts on the website to reserve a ticket. They are prompt to respond and will hold the ticket for you at call waiting/the check-in desk until 6p. You can pay when you pick it up. Ushers were polite and did a great job packing us in like sardines. Luckily, the show was only 1 hour. Grateful my seat was high in the stand. Drums were too loud for me personally and may be for people with audio sensitivity, so consider bringing ear plugs.

Enjoyed the show (especially the incredible capoeira portion), but each dance really should be presented with a quick introduction; without context for what you're seeing, it's less interesting than it should be. Also, the seating is seriously uncomfortable. In general, you'll appreciate the show more if you've visited a museum or two in Salvador or just done some research and know at least a bit about Afro-Brazilian history/culture in the region. Without that knowledge, you're just watching people dancing (which is still fun enough). If you have never seen Afro-Brazilian dances or capoeira, this is certainly a nice experience. If you have, it could still be interesting, but I wouldn't consider it a "must do". Reserving tickets via email was easy and staff were all very nice. If you go, do show up at by 6:40 (show starts at 7:00) as it appeared they had oversold the show and some guests were sitting in chairs off to the side of the stage, with partially obscured vision.

No trip to Salvador is complete without experiencing the magic of the Balé Folclórico da Bahia (BFB). Founded in 1988 by Walson (Vavá) Botelho and Ninho Reis, this world-renowned company is a must-see for any visitor. I was utterly captivated by their performance. It was more than just a show; it was an immersive journey into the soul of Bahia. The dancers' extraordinary talent, seamlessly blending natural ability with impeccable technique, is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the region. Every movement, every note of music tells a story deeply rooted in the lives of the Bahian people. BFB's performances are a vibrant celebration of this culture, shared with passion and authenticity on stages around the world.

The Folkloric Ballet of Bahia was a vibrant tribute to Afro-Brazilian heritage, impeccably staged and deeply moving. It opened with the Pantheon of the Orixás, where dancers embodied each deity in flowing costumes and rhythmic drumbeats. The Puxada de Rede followed, its net-weaving choreography evoking the solidarities of coastal fishing communities. Maculelê ignited the stage with rapid stick duels set to pulsating berimbau rhythms, while the Capoeira showcase blended martial art and dance in a fluid, acrobatic dialogue. The finale, Samba de Roda, united performers and audience in a joyous circle of song and movement. Every element—music, light, costume—was crafted with care, leaving us uplifted by Bahia’s living traditions.

This is an amazing experience about local Bahian dance! It is not easy to figure out how to get tickets without help so ask a local friend. Our tickets were 100 R each and we needed to purchase them two days before a Friday night one hour performance.

Fantastic show. Just make sure to go downstairs and not up towards the dance studio.