Passistas Samba Dance Troupe & Planeta Azul Band

Though a young group, Passistas Samba dancers have transformed the Chicago Samba dance scene, from their costuming, to their performance style, and even their trademark samba poses! According to the founder, Rachel Montiel: "We strive for excellence: every performance, every client experience, every event!"

Passistas has performed internationally and nationally, making several appearances for nationally televised programming, including a special guest feature on the Steve Harvey Show and the Science Channel's "Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman". The group continues to grow in popularity, most recently finishing a tour of China and being commissioned by the City of Chicago to represent Brazilian dance in the Summerdance series for a sixth year. The troupe was also specially selected to perform for a platinum gala event in Texas, having been chosen over other noteworthy samba dance companies from around the United States!

Passistas Samba can provide whatever the event requires - ranging from the liberal to the ultra-conservative. Past and current performances include Brookfield Zoo's 75th Anniversary, Chicago Summerdance, University of Michigan, Macalester College, Loyola University, Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, University of Tennessee, Murray State of Kentucky, White Sox Cellular Field pre-game shows, Chicago Fire pre-game shows, Casinos, corporate events, weddings, platinum galas, fund raisers, children's events, nightclubs, and churches! Passistas work with different costume designers and travel to Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro Brazil annually to personally select hand-made designs so that all costumes are brand new or in excellent condition.

All samba dancers employed are professional, young, lovely and fit (photos showcased are NOT altered so that the dancer you see pictured is the dancer you get - no false representations and no surprises) We are Chicago's original Passistas!