Who are the Calnevalistas?
We are the Calne Samba Band! The word Carnivalistas refers to people who play music, or take part in Carnivals. The Samba rhythms we play are based on traditional Brazilian percussion rhythms, as can be heard at the world famous Rio Carnival in Brazil, each year
Samba is traditionally community based and that is what we are. We charge no fees but happily accept donations, and we are always happy for new people to join us
When we first met during the summer of 2005, it was in a small church within the grounds of St Mary's School, Calne. The whole idea was built up by, and continues to be supported CAIAC (Calne Area Initiative for Active Communities) We had no real instruments and were basically a junk band which was still a lot of fun, but was not quite ‘gelling’ as we hoped. After a month, we were lucky enough to be offered a whole load of second hand instruments and funding from the Calne Town Council to pay for these instruments
2005 to Now
We have successfully played many Gigs including firework displays in Calne, a wedding, many School events, the Calne Carnival, the festival of light's Carnival, an old people's home fate in Chippenham and the motorbike rally in Calne.
click here to view our gig list