Samba OlyWa will bring the rhythm Saturday when Olympia’s Procession of the Species returns

Shauna Sowersby
·3 min read

The sound of drums fills the large room as dozens of dancers and musicians wearing green and yellow sunflowers trickle into the second-floor ballroom of the Eagle’s Lodge in Olympia.

It’s a sunny, warm day so the large group heads outside for their formal rehearsal — a taste of how they will be parading through the streets Saturday for the first time since 2019.

Carol Riley is the costume chair for Samba OlyWA as well as the costume steer for the board of directors. She told The Olympian she is “super excited” the decades-old annual Procession of the Species is back.

So bright on Sunday April 21 that she had to wear shades during their rehearsal Samba OlyWa costume chair and costume committee steer Carol Riley is eager for this weekend’s Arts Walk and Procession of the Species celebrations..
So bright on Sunday April 21 that she had to wear shades during their rehearsal Samba OlyWa costume chair and costume committee steer Carol Riley is eager for this weekend’s Arts Walk and Procession of the Species celebrations..

The group was only a few rehearsals into 2020 when COVID-19 struck, shutting down Samba’s plans to show off their already-made lady bug costumes during Procession of the Species that year, she said. Like everything COVID, it was a “super bummer.”

“But Samba kept going — all through COVID,” Riley said.

Practices were held outside in various places around town while it was warm, but when winter came, the group needed somewhere to protect them from the elements. They negotiated a space at the farmer’s market after hours for a while.

Samba OlyWa is back to regular practices now and has done other events, Riley noted.

“I’m just thrilled, I think that this is the most expression of creativity I’ve ever seen in any community,” Riley said of the Procession. “It brings joy to people when we are dancing down the street, or drumming, or just processing. It is so amazing to see the people of this community … the smiles are infectious.”

One common theme with Samba OlyWa’s dancers and drummers The Olympian interviewed about the importance of the Procession: community.

Juli Kelen, a former dancer for Samba OlyWA and current musician for the group, said her favorite part of the experience is the community.

Stephen Passero has been the lead dancer of Samba OlyWA for about 20 years. He told The Olympian that his favorite part is that it is an “all-inclusive community group” made up of all volunteers, and it encourages others to find their own “comfort” within the group.

Passero said his favorite part of the Procession is not only dancing in the street and “melding into the community” but also supporting the environment.

Dany Burgess, a dancer who joined the group right before COVID-19 hit, said the anticipation for the event after years of it being put on hold has made this year that much more exciting.

“It’s just a wonderful group of people,” Burgess said. “I love the feeling of community, something to sort of look forward to every week.”

Ready to participate in the 2020 Procession before the pandemic shut things down Dany Burgess will finally get her wish with the Procession parade this weekend. She joined other Samba OlyWa members at the landmark Eagles Grand Ballroom in downtown Olympia on April 21 as the percussion and dance group staged a full dress rehearsal before participating in the annual Olympia Arts Walk and Procession of the Species celebrations on April 27 and 28. The ensemble capped thaT afternoon rehearsal with a musical practice march winding through nearby neighboring streets.

One dancer who just joined this year after her real estate agent recommended it is excited for her first Procession experience.

“It’s like I hit the timing right,” said Teressa Howell-Southworth. “I love it. I got really lucky.”

Participating in her first Procession of the Species parade this upcoming weekend Teressa Howell-Southworth joined other dancers on Sunday, April 21, at the landmark Eagles Grand Ballroom in downtown Olympia as the Samba OlyWa percussion and dance group staged a full dress rehearsal before participating in the annual Olympia Arts Walk and Procession of the Species celebrations on April 27 and 28. The ensemble capped the afternoon rehearsal with a musical practice march winding through nearby neighboring streets.

Samba OlyWa ensembles will perform during the Procession of the Species, which starts at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Here’s the map of the routes for Saturday’s Procession of the Species, and for Friday night’s Luminary Procession.
Here’s the map of the routes for Saturday’s Procession of the Species, and for Friday night’s Luminary Procession.

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