It’s here. The experience. The cultural immersion.
AUSTRALIAN SAMBA RETREAT 2026
The next Best Thing To going to Brazil.
Australian Samba Retreat is back in 2026, bringing together an epic line-up of master facilitators for a four-day cultural immersion that centres Afro-Brazilian lineage, embodiment, and expression through rhythm and ritual.
Join us in Adelaide, 2-5 Oct 2026!
Step into the heart of samba
The Australian Samba Retreat is a unique opportunity to experience samba in its fullness - the music, the dance, the rhythm, the stories, and the culture that shaped it.
Over four immersive days, you’ll learn from cultural guardians of the art form and connect with the true Brazilian roots in a way that transcends technique.
If you’re ready to feel samba beyond the studio and embody it with deeper understanding and appreciation, this retreat was made for you.
Additional Intensives
For the first time, we’re extending the Retreat offering with an additional four days of advanced training: a dedicated space for dancers, teachers and artists who want to expand their technique, deepen their cultural understanding, and immerse themselves fully in their practice.
The first exciting Intensive has been announced, with more opportunities still to be shared in the coming months.
Find out more about the Silvestre Technique Intensive here.
Meet the Team
Kate Hillgrove
Director and Founder
Mayombe Masai
Associate Director
The Australian Samba Retreat is produced by Soul Sambistas and co-directed by Kate Hillgrove and Mayombe Masai.
Together, Kate and Mayombe have carefully curated the Retreat into a space of cultural immersion, embodied learning, and community connection, offering dancers the rare opportunity to train directly with a range of Master facilitators in an intensive environment that is only otherwise available by travelling abroad.
The Australian Samba Retreat exists to honour Afro-Brazilian lineage, deepen artistic practice, and strengthen the Australian Samba Community through shared learning, cultural respect, and the joyful exchange of energy shared at the heart of Brazilian dance.
What our past retreaters are saying
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I loved this weekend so so much. I want to do it all over again, thank you to all the organizers and helpers and all the masters and teachers. It was such an unreal and magical experience
Ting, Melbourne
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I loved it so much Kate, thank you for all your hard work to bring everyone together. So inspiring, so moving and such an incredible experience.
Becky, Canberra
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Thank you for an incredible weekend. Memories and friendships that I will cherish. Can’t wait for the next one!
Louisa, Melbourne
Each Artist brings lived lineage, depth, and a commitment to preserving and sharing samba’s true roots.
