Boulder’s Samba Queen and King Colorado showcase offers a night of ‘roots, remembrance, resistance’

A dancer with a yellow sash that says “Samba Queen Colorado 2025” and big teal feathers coming up her shoulders holds hands with another dancer, who wears a sash that says “Samba Queen Colorado 2024.” Both are smiling triumphantly.
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Mena Ighodaro, Samba Queen Colorado 2025, and Jules Porras, Samba Queen Colorado 2024, hold hands shortly after the winner was announced at the showcase in Boulder on June 7, 2025.

A dancer is filming other dancers as they warm up their bodies before the show.
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Two dancers spin and hold out their long, colorful skirts. A band performs live behind them.
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A dancer wearing flowy, red pants, a black bra top and a black headdress twists her hips toward the audience. A live band plays behind her.
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Five dancers in black shorts with fringe, red halter tops and red hats, plus large red and white feathers off their backs, perform for the competition’s judges.
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A dancer in a bright yellow, jeweled leotard with a matching yellow feathered headdress twists her hips in a dance move. On her back, she wears an elaborate, large feathered accessory that almost looks like wings.
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A dancer in a black suit with a royal blue hat and royal blue shimmery shoes dances the samba. A band plays live behind him.
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A dancer twists her body in a samba-style dance move. She wears a large headdress with peacock-like feathers and a nude-colored, long-sleeved leotard that is bedazzled with teal and gold gems.
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A samba dancer with big teal feathers off her shoulders and an elaborate headdress shimmies onstage. Several drummers are behind her.
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A dancer in a black fringe dress holds her hands up to her face as she blows a kiss. She wears black arm bands and a red and black feathered headdress. A band plays live behind her, many of the musicians are playing drums.
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