SALVADOR

da BAHIA

Billy Arquimimo (left) with Daneila and Steve in Salvador da Bahia

    Billy Arquimimo, native of Salvador, Bahia, Brasil has years of experience in the areas music, travel, tourism, guide service in Bahia, Brasil. He is fluent in English, Portuguese and Spanish. He joined Bloco Afro OLODUM in 1987 and within a year became a member of their Board of Council.  Because of his administrative talents, he was chosen to be the Social Director for OLODUM. 

    Billy managed diverse areas and was responsible for all international relations and travel for OLODUM for 13 years. As the Music and Cultural Producer of OLODUM from 1990 to 2000, he produced 95% of their tours for Europe, Africa, United States, South America, Mexico and Canada. Currently Billy represents the international department for the group AS MENINAS. He toured the USA with AS MENINAS shows in Chicago and in Los Angeles at the Brazilian Summer Festival.
 
    In February 1996, Billy was responsible for organizing the Michael Jackson / OLODUM / Maestro Neguinho do Samba video that was filmed in the Pelourinho section of Salvador.  Spike Lee was the film director-producer. In 1998, Billy traveled with Banda Mirim (The Youth Group from OLODUM’s school of creativity) to a Festival SALUTE BRAZIL in Birmingham, Alabama. This trip included, lectures and performances in Schools and a Carnaval parade. Billy was responsible for organizing seminars on Culture, Educational and Citizenship. In 1996, he received members of the FBI to coordinate the official visit of The First Lady of the USA, Ms. Hillary Clinton. He was introduced to her as an official Pelourinho representative. Due to his sparkling work, Billy received a certificate from the U.S. White House and another from the Secret Service.

     In August 2003, Billy was the Brazilian Consultant for the 13th International Black Summit, held in Salvador da Bahia from July 31st to August 3rd.  He organized he gala party at Praça Tereza Batista, in Pelourinho.

    Billy is the International Relations Director and Music Producer for Bloco Afro MALE DEBALE. They have been recognized for several years as being one of the premier Bloco Afros in Bahia. He works with them from a cultural perspective to retain their credibility and artistic vision in the community and their worldwide reputation as a Bloco Afro. This message translates into a positive self image to promote social, educational, political, and economic equality for Afro-Brazilians. One of the musical components of MALÊ DEBALÊ is BANDA MALÊ AFRO BEAT, an Afro-Pop Band that pays homage to the legendary Fela Kuti from Nigeria.

RESOURCES

CARNAVAL - EVENTS - CULTURAL TOURS - SEMINARS
Ask for Billy Arquimimo

Phone: O11-55-71-9912 3012 or 3491 2030
Email: billy.arquimimo@ig.com.br

SANKOFA TOURS
Phone/Fax: 011-55-71-3264-1065
Email: http://www.sankofatours.net