Amabo Seattle Kizomba Festival

04/08/2020

Here we are in unprecedented times, together but apart. We hope this message finds you healthy and safe.

The Amabo Seattle Kizomba Festival is about our love of Kizomba, love of our Seattle dance community and love of our extended family everywhere. Our personal connections as artists, dancers, teachers, venue owners and promoters make us keenly aware of the impact this pandemic has on everyone. It is with the safety and well-being of all of you, our family, that we have decided to cancel the Amabo Seattle Kizomba Festival for 2020.

With the upheaval and uncertainty of a return to being able to connect less that six feet apart, we felt that making this decision can put some uncertainty to rest.

Here in Seattle, where businesses have been closed since March 11th, socials and classes cancelled, we cannot wait for that time when we can be together again and celebrate what we love about Kizomba and our community at the Century Ballroom. We will hold the weekend of July 31 - Aug 2 in reserve and if the conditions around gathering and the economy allow, may hold a celebration on a smaller scale.
We look forward to workshops all day, dancing all night through the morning and enjoying dinner together with you. Stay tuned!

Borrowing some words from a friend:

May you be safe and protected from all inner and outer harm
💛 May you be happy, peaceful, and calm
💛 May you be strong and healthy as you are able.
💛 May you care for yourself with joy and ease.

Amabo Seattle Kizomba Festival Crew:
Hallie, Emily, JR and Frances

02/13/2020

Our next artist, straight from Montreal, for a second time in Seattle is DJ SINK *in ad lib voice*. We can't wait to see what he will bring us this time for our third edition of Amabo!
Tickets 👉🏾 amabo2020.eventbrite.com

Artist Bio:
DJ Sink started his musical journey at the very young age of 5 years when he learned to play the piano. At 12 years old, he became part of a symphonic orchestra where he added the drums, the guitar, the djembe, and other traditional African instruments to his instrumental repertoire. Always eager to learn and challenge himself, he took up music production by beginning with hip hop beats. A few years later, he discovered and fell in love with kizomba. His first kizomba instrumental tracks were a hit on his Soundcloud page and have since been featured in many mixes of DJs from around the world. DJ Sink was noticed by the talented DJ ZayX from Paris during one of his trips to Montreal, and their affiliation led to collaboration on a successful instrumental. Shortly after, he decided to learn how to mix music during kizomba socials in Montreal. His talent quickly attracted the attention of the dancing community and within one year, he became established as one of the best Montreal kizomba DJs. DJ Sink is now resident DJ in two venues in Monteal - Comédie de Montreal, the long-standing Sunday night classic, and the thriving Tuesday night socials at Club 649. He has been invited to mix in numerous festivals in Toronto, Chicago, Boston, Austin, Calgary, Columbus, Quebec, Ottawa and many others, and is sought after by local as well as national event promoters. His talent and dedication to giving his personal best have propelled him to the top of the pyramid. The exclusivity of DJ Sink’s mixes and his inclusion of a variety of genres make him a public favourite in Montreal.

02/04/2020

After killing it at Fam Jam Kizomba Festival, we will have our good friend DJ Mojo back on the ones and twos! Get your tickets here: amabo2020.eventbrite.com

Artist Bio:
Johan started to spin in Paris in 2007. Of French Caribbean origins, he first specialized in dancehall, zouk, hiphop and other related music genres played in Caribbean parties. That's when he's also been exposed to PALOPS music (cabo love, kizomba, ghetto zouk…), getting popular in the City of Light.

After a break of several years and his move to California, Johan decides to start a new DJ adventure and becomes DJ Mojo. Since then, he has played in many major kizomba and urban kiz events, making him a reference DJ in North America.

As a long time dancer, DJ Mojo has the ability to DJ through the eyes and body of a dancer... This mixed with his love and knowledge of various music genres make his sets something you don't want to miss!

01/30/2020

Can't wait to have her back in Seattle! Ashby Laine is our second artist announcement!
Tickets here 👉🏾 https://amabo2020.eventbrite.com/

Artist Bio:
Ashby’s contagious smile will have you feeling comfortable dancing in no time! Whether it is semba, kizomba, movement or beyond, Ashby brings strong teaching ability and unique exercises and explanations to any class she instructs.

Ashby's kizomba journey began in Boston in 2014, and has since taken her around the world. She has been fortunate to train with, learn from and teach with many talented dancers from Europe and the USA.

Ashby has a professional background in training and teaching, which adds a unique perspective to her teaching methods. Ashby is inspired by the beautiful women she encounters in the kizomba world, and seeks to connect with and guide other women to grow. She is known for her passion for sharing valuable and relevant tools to follows in class - an important piece so often neglected.

Find Ashby teaching at festivals and events all over North America, Latin America and Europe - and hopefully at one near you soon!

01/28/2020

Follow early birds are sold out! A few lead early birds are left!

01/27/2020

Our first artist announcement straight from Paris, Dj Chad Kizomba! It will be his first time in Seattle. We can't wait for him to be here! Get your tickets here: amabofestival.com

Artist bio:
DJ / Producer abroad, DJ Chad lives from his passion for music.
From Kizomba to Semba to UrbanKiz, he explores daring styles, igniting festivals and private events around the world.
Noticed by his first evenings in 2009 (ParkFutbol), he entered as a resident DJ and mixed there every Monday and weekends.
KIZOMBA Mondays were the most popular evenings in Paris and the suburbs (more than 200 people every week), bringing together all the biggest DJs currently known.
DJ resident in many international festivals, "World Kizomba Awards" (Lyon), but also in the evenings among the most popular in Europe (In France, Switzerland etc ...), his rising career attracts attention in musical circles. Now essential on the international scene, DJ Chad has had the opportunity to mix at concerts and after-parties of superstars such as ELJI, JENNIFER DIAS, MIKA MENDES, ATIM, to name a few.
His first remixes such as "Ready Or Not, Back To Start, Sa*****em" or even "Roçaré", playlisted in many evenings are directly ranked in the charts and in the top 100 of the music most broadcast in kizomba evenings in the world .
Always looking for catchy rhythms and captivating voices, he joined the WeTheFeeling label in 2017 (Puto.X Jayneziss Dj Colts) and released various hits featuring Tayl’or as "Come On" or "Fairy Tale".
Find his universe here
https://www.facebook.com/dj.chad.kizomba/

01/26/2020

Half the early birds are already sold! Get yours before they run out!

Presented by Century Ballroom and Karga Productions. The name AMABO comes from the Cabo Verde criol word for love. That is what this event is all about for us – love of Kizomba, love of the Seattle dance community, and love of our extended Kizomba family across the world.

01/01/2020

Happy New Year to all from the Amabo team! Wishing the best for the start of this new decade!
P.S. Hope you don't have a headache this morning like this guy 💛🙃💛

08/10/2019

Pictures by Jose De La Torre of From the Tower Photography

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