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PHonk!Philly

@phonk215

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Founder | Artistic Director | Cultural Educator @esholts
Samba Foundations Wednesdays @hawthorne_rec
Taste of Bahia PHL December 2026

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Thank you @festivalafrobahiadc for another amazing weekend of community, music, and culture.

What an honor to play with Rosangela Silvestre and @lucianoxavier5106 during the Orisha Symbology Workshop. taken in Washington D. C. by @phonk215

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4 months ago

To the ones who said, “But Why?”

The scene 🎬🎥
August 2023. I had just spent a week at a Brazilian immersion camp on the West Coast with my samba siblings from Boston and Austin. On the drive back to San Francisco, before flying home to Philly, I couldn’t stop thinking about my experience at camp and what it means to study these traditions as someone with skin in the game.

🗣️ In the US, money gives you access to these traditions.

🗣️ When do we start openly talking about the African roots of Brazilian music? We can’t assume everyone does their own research.

🗣️ Where are the Black people?

In that moment, I knew: I’m going to do my own thing.
I’m grateful to the tradition bearers who believed in my vision and my commitment to uplifting Black Philadelphians, giving us the opportunities to learn, play and participate together in a piece of our African & Brazilian musical history.

QUILOMBO DE PHILADELPHIA April 2027 taken in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by @phonk215

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18 days ago

It was a joy to welcome Elaine Smith, our 2026 Leeway x NextFab art and technology resident, as she kicked off a beautiful day of music, movement and community with Bloco Oyá.

Led by the powerful sounds of the intergenerational community Bloco Afro, the parade brought neighbors of all ages into the streets, complete with Samba Foundation dancers and the debut of Elaine’s new surdo parade contraption.

We loved seeing this project begin at NextFab and come alive in the community! by @phonk215

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20 days ago

3rd year and counting! 🥁 💃🏾✨
Our Samba Foundation dancers return to the @philly_dance_fitness World Rhythm Showcase on Saturday, Nov 7 at @playsandplayers Theater. See you there!

#sambastroll #blocooya taken in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by @phonk215

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6 days ago

Our favorite spot🌳☀️

See ya next Tuesday for Samba Foundations @centerinthepark at 10:30am. taken in Center in the Park by @phonk215

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7 days ago

Samba Foundations at @centerinthepark Tuesdays at 10:30am Classes taught by @esholts

🏡 5818 Germantown Ave 🌳

Slow samba 10:30-11:30am 💃🏽🇧🇷

Brazilian percussion 11:30-12:30pm 🥁🪘
*Instruments provided taken in Center in the Park by @phonk215

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9 days ago

Hey PHamily, can you recommend your favorite event spaces you have worked with recently.

#festadesantabárbara #lansa #oya #acarajé by @phonk215

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9 days ago

I really need to learn how to play this squeezebox of mine before Quilombo de Philadelphia April 2027 🪗🪗🪗

Heading to Lafayette for @festsacadiens to bask in the warm sun, consume as much boudin as humanly possible, and meet some zydeco musicians.

Quilombo de Philadelphia April 2027 where Zydeco + Forro = ✨ by @phonk215

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12 days ago

Our Germantown Sambistas 👑✨🥁🪘🖤

Samba Foundations at Center in the Park
Tuesdays 10:30am-12:30pm

🇧🇷Slow samba 10:30-11:30am
🥁Brazlian percussion 11:30-12:30pm taken in Center in the Park by @phonk215

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14 days ago

The gloomy weather has been a huge bummer, but reminiscing on our incredible Saturday spent with @phonk215 @esholts is lifting our spirits!

On Saturday Sept 19th, the Leeway staff joined our Leeway x @nextfab_phl art + technology artist in residence, Elaine Smith for her culminating parade event!

It was a beautiful afternoon of cultural exchange and celebration! 🥳 We are so grateful to be a part of @esholts journey and discovery of how to make parade culture more physically accessible!

Take us back to a Saturday with @phonk215 @jubileeschool4211 @ficaphillycapoeira and @iglesiasgardens please! by @phonk215

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15 days ago

Samba Foundation Passistas @fiestadc led by Cely @france1ys 👑👑👑👑👑

Show up at Hawthorne Cultural Center on a Wednesday night at 6pm and you’ll find Cely in her element, sharing her love of samba no pé with our community. Since she stepped into a teaching role at PHonk! Philly, her technique, styling, and creativity have grown, and so has our community because of her. Words can’t express how much we appreciate Cely.

Thank you for your commitment to our little samba community in South Philly ✨✨✨✨ taken in Washington, DC by @phonk215

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16 days ago