BLOCO GNV

Gainesville, Florida

Come drum with us!

A bloco (block) is a Brazilians Portuguese word for a community percussion ensemble with roots in Afro-Brazilian Carnival processions. Similar to Mardi Gras second-line bands, blocos parade in the streets as large drum ensembles that manifest an effervescent fusion of arts and culture. This naturally includes music, dance, costumes, Carnival themes, and activism. To respectfully build upon these Afro-Brazilian roots of rhythmic resistance, we aim to unite the community against hate and racial discrimination through the unity, music, rhythm, and performance of BLOCO GNV!

BLOCO GNV will play a diverse variety of rhythms we respectfully blend from Brazil, the USA, Caribbean, and Africa. The rhythms we will play include Carnival music like samba-reggae and samba-afro from Salvador, Brazil, second-line mardi gras arrangements, African and Afro-Caribbean rhythms, and our own rhythmic creations. We aim to underscore the unique and brilliant experience of playing Afro-diasporic rhythms.

No prior music experience necessary but we encourage you to attend weekly rehearsals and be serious about learning your parts!

Wel play the every Friday night 6pm-8pm at the Rosa B. Williams Center on 524 NW 1st St.

Keep scrolling to learn more!

Improve Rhythmic Coordination

Participating in BLOCO GNV will help you learn and improve yourrhythm by playing a variety of rhythms and breaks--eventuallydancing and playing at the same time!(Photo courtesy of Tambores do Mundo, 2023, Salvaodr, Brazil)

Meet New People

From UF to Brazil to Florida and beyond, you'll meet new peoplethat share your interest and passion for music, the arts, community, activism, and culture. (Photo courtesy of Tambores do Mundo, Salvador, 2023, a project Cody worked on with Director and Master percussionist of Ilê Aiyê--the first Bloco Afro--Mestre Mário Pam)

Build a Health Community

Strongly influenced by ideologies and philosophies of Blocos Afro in Salvador, Brazil, we aim to constructively build community and support positive social causes. (Photo of Olodum School 43rd anniversary, 10/25/2022,led by master drummer Geraldo Marques, Photo by Cody)

The Heartwood series the second Wednesday of the month will remain FREE, but to rehearse weekly at the Rosa B. Williams Center on Fridays we will charge after the first free class. We will charge $10/session or $30/month paid via cash or a Venmo link.

Funds go to instrument upkeep, new instruments, instruction, and rental costs for the community center. Our ultimate goal is to build community but we naturally incur expenses and are putting a lot of work into organizing BLOCO GNV, so we appreciate your support!

We thank the city of Gainesville, UF School of Music, and Heartwood Soundstage for their help with venues and instruments!

Meet Your Instructors

Cody Case

PhD Candidate, Ethnomusicology at UF School of Music

Visit this site for more

Kenneth Metzker

UF Professor, Schools of Theatre, Dance and Music

Professional Percussionist

Visit this page for more

Heartwood SoundStage

Heartwood Soundstage

619 S Main Street

Thanks to community support, the Heartwood Soundstage has kindly offered their space the second Wednesday of every month to rehearse during their Free Community Music Series from 6:00pm-9:00pm.

Rosa B. Williams Center

524 NW 1st St.

Thanks to community support, the City of Gainesville has agreed to host us every Friday night from 6:00pm-8:00pm at the Rosa B. Williams Center.

Email us with any questions blocognv@gmail.com and Follow us on Instagram at @blocognv

In addition to playing in Florida, we hope to maintain connections with founding Blocos Afro in Salvador, Brazil and collaborate on projects with Ilê Aiyê, Olodum, Didá, Mulherada, and Tambores do Mundo. (Another webpage on bloco music history is coming soon).This May include going to Salvador for Carnival, 2025!

To learn more about the this music, the history, and culture, watch the documentary below or visit Cody's website: www.codyleecase.com

Visit the Spotify playlist below to listen to some of the music we'll play!