Our Founder
Durham, N.C. — eight years ago, when Caique Vidal came to North Carolina from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, he brought with him a wealth of musical experience and knowledge, much of which was unique to his home country of Brazil. Singer, multi- instrumentalist, songwriter and music educator steeped in the Afro-Brazilian tradition, Vidal was eager to share his culture with his new community, and with Oxente he aims to do just that. For the past three years until December 2018 he was the artistic director and music director of Batalá Durham, a local branch of worldwide Afro-Brazilian percussion group, Batala Mundo. But when Vidal’s personal goals and motivations to share Brazilian culture and music diverged from the goals of both local and international leadership of Batala, he knew it was time for something new. Vidal feels called to educate people and provide exposure to the African Diaspora and Afro-Brazilian culture, and he is doing that through Oxente, providing music lessons and performances in an effort to represent what an authentic band in the streets of Bahia looks like.
Beat drum hard…
Oxente is an Afro-Brazilian band that plays Samba-Reggae rhythms. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, all proceeds go towards providing instruments and costumes to members, all of whom are volunteers. Through drumming and dancing, Oxente aims to empower and expose people to Brazil’s dynamic Afro-Bahian culture and Samba Reggae music and use music as a catalyst for change.
Oxente has performed at festivals, fundraisers, concerts, parties, and parades all around the Triangle and as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization we partner with organizations and perform at events that promote creativity, inclusion, community, human rights, and the arts. In September of 2019 Oxente organized and executed the first and only Brazilian Day Festival of North Carolina. Offering a free community festival event centered around many aspects of Brazilian culture. By presenting a broad range of activities ranging from music, dance, capoeira, food, and crafts.
Just as the Triangle area of North Carolina is a multicultural and international area for businesses, residents, and students, Oxente’s membership consists of a broad spectrum of demographics of Triangle area residents. Our activities appeal to that same diverse spectrum of ages, races, socio-economic backgrounds, religious affiliations, and sexual orientations. We are an open organization to all who wants to learn how to play music or simply dance to it.
Oxente entertains and serve not only the Raleigh/Durham area but the greater North Carolina area and beyond.