PROPOSAL

Carnival Cultures Interactive Tour Museum

Presented by Escola de Samba Casa Samba

Submitted to:

City of New Orleans Recreation Department (NORDC)

Annunciation Center

Submitted by:

Mestre Curtis Pierre

Founder & Cultural Director, Escola de Samba Casa Samba

Ambassador of Afro-Brasilian Culture

Executive Summary

Escola de Samba Casa Samba respectfully proposes to establish the Carnival Cultures Interactive Tour Museum at the Annunciation Center—a first-of-its-kind cultural institution highlighting the Afro-diasporic carnival traditions that have shaped New Orleans into the unique cultural melting pot it is today.

The Carnival Cultural Museum will showcase the dance, drumming styles, traditional masquerades, and puppetry of the diverse carnival cultures that have called New Orleans home since the 1980s, including Vietnamese, Chinese, African, Brasilian, Haitian, and Trinidadian communities.

This program requires no financial investment from NORDC. All equipment, materials, and expertise are already in place. Escola de Samba Casa Samba requests only building availability for tours outside of regular NORDC operating hours.

About the Curator: Mestre Curtis Pierre

Mestre Curtis Pierre is uniquely qualified to curate The Carnival Cultural Museum as the ONLY American in history to achieve Master-level status in TWO distinct Brasilian cultural domains—Capoeira and Brasilian Percussion.

Credentials & Achievements:

•39+ years dedicated to Afro-Brasilian cultural preservation
•Founder of Escola de Samba Casa Samba at Tulane University (1987)—proclaimed the first samba school in New Orleans by Mayor Sidney Bartholomew on July 21, 1993
•Pioneer of Capoeira in New Orleans—first to bring this African martial art to the city
•Published Author of "Capoeira Angola Movements," the definitive guide on Afro-Brasilian Martial Art
•One of the only Americans to teach both Samba and Capoeira classes IN BRAZIL
•1,000+ students taught • 50+ countries performed
•Hollywood Credits: Cultural Consultant for "Get Hard" (2015), Drum Coordinator for "Angel Heart" (1987)
•Official Partner with Academicos do Salgueiro (Rio de Janeiro, 2024)

Trained by Legendary Masters:

Jorge 'Alabe' Bezerra

Master Drummer, Rio de Janeiro (15+ years)

Mestre Cobra Mansa

Capoeira Angola Master, Salvador Bahia

Airto Moreira

Grammy-winning Brasilian jazz percussionist

Bill Summers

Herbie Hancock's Headhunters

Why Is The Carnival Cultural Museum Needed?

Protecting Cultural Authenticity

New Orleans proudly calls itself a "melting pot," yet there is no single institution that identifies, compares, and celebrates the diverse carnival cultures that make this city unique. The strong watering down of authentic traditions and the influx of cultural appropriation threatens the purity of our carnival heritage.

The Carnival Cultural Museum will:

• Preserve authentic carnival traditions before they are diluted or lost
• Educate residents and visitors about the TRUE origins of New Orleans' cultural identity
• Provide a space where people can see the differences AND similarities all in one place
• Protect the legacy of communities practicing these traditions since the 1980s

Filling a Cultural Void

There is nothing like this in New Orleans or Louisiana. While individual cultural organizations exist, no institution brings them together to show how the African diaspora connects New Orleans to the world.

Benefits

For NORDC

• Increased traffic to Annunciation Center
• Enhanced community engagement
• Zero cost—all provided by Escola de Samba Casa Samba
• Positions NORDC as cultural preservation leader

For Escola de Samba Casa Samba

• Permanent home for cultural programming
• Sustainable revenue through tours/workshops
• Training ground for next generation
• Expanded cultural bridge mission

Community Impact & Skills Training

Why Our Community Needs This Program

Every year, carnival groups across New Orleans struggle to complete their elaborate costumes and preparations. They need skilled volunteers but have no way to train them. Meanwhile, community members—especially youth and seniors—lack access to hands-on creative skills training that could lead to jobs, entrepreneurship, or simply meaningful participation in our cultural traditions.

This program bridges that gap. Escola de Samba Casa Samba will train community members in real, marketable skills while simultaneously providing carnival organizations with the volunteer workforce they desperately need.

What Escola de Samba Casa Samba Will Provide

🧵 Costume & Construction Workshop

Escola de Samba Casa Samba provides ALL equipment and supplies:

✓Industrial Sewing Machines — Learn to operate professional equipment used by real costume shops
✓Hot Glue Guns & Craft Tools — Master the techniques for attaching feathers, sequins, beads, and decorations
✓Pattern Making & Design — Create costumes from concept to completion
✓Mask & Headdress Construction — Build traditional carnival masks and elaborate headpieces
✓Puppet & Float Building — Large-scale construction techniques for parade elements

🎬 Audio & Video Production Studio

Escola de Samba Casa Samba will house a mini recording studio where community members learn:

✓Video Recording & Editing — Document cultural events, create promotional content
✓Audio Recording — Capture oral histories, record traditional music
✓Podcast Production — Share stories and interviews with the community
✓Social Media Content — Learn to promote cultural events effectively
✓Documentary Filmmaking — Preserve our cultural heritage on film

🥁 Drumming & Dance Instruction

Learn the authentic rhythms and movements from a recognized Master:

✓Brasilian Percussion — Samba, batucada, and traditional rhythms
✓Capoeira Angola — The original African martial art
✓Samba Dance — Authentic Brasilian carnival movement
✓Stilt Walking — Traditional carnival performance skill

🎭 Direct Support for Carnival Groups

Trained volunteers will directly assist carnival organizations:

✓Costume Construction — Help groups complete elaborate outfits on deadline
✓Float & Prop Building — Skilled labor for large-scale construction
✓Event Documentation — Video and photo coverage of performances
✓Performance Support — Trained drummers and dancers to strengthen groups

Who Will Benefit

Youth & Teenagers

• Learn marketable job skills
• After-school creative programs
• Portfolio building for college
• Mentorship from master artists
• Alternative to street activities

Adults & Job Seekers

• Sewing & tailoring skills
• Video production training
• Event planning experience
• Small business preparation
• Networking opportunities

Senior Citizens

• Share historical knowledge
• Oral history recording
• Meaningful social engagement
• Pass traditions to youth
• Stay connected to culture

Tourism Industry Impact

Scenario 1: The Cultural Tourist

A family from Chicago visits during Jazz Fest. They discover The Carnival Cultural Museum, learn about connections between Mardi Gras Indians and Brasilian Carnival, watch live drumming, try on Trinidadian masks.

Result: Word-of-mouth marketing, TripAdvisor reviews, return visits.

Scenario 2: The Cruise Ship Stop

Tour operators seek unique, authentic experiences. The Carnival Cultural Museum offers pre-arranged group tours, interactive workshops, photo opportunities with authentic costumes.

Result: New revenue stream, positioning New Orleans as a cultural destination.

Scenario 3: The Educational Tour

University anthropology classes need academic credibility with hands-on learning. The Carnival Cultural Museum provides lectures from a published author and recognized master.

Result: Repeat academic partnerships, research opportunities.

Scenario 4: The Convention Add-On

Event planners seek memorable spouse/partner programs. The Carnival Cultural Museum offers private evening tours, samba dance lessons, mask-making workshops.

Result: Premium pricing, hotel and convention bureau partnerships.

Featured Cultures

Brasilian

Samba, batucada drumming, elaborate costumes

Trinidadian

Steelpan, mas (masquerade), calypso

Haitian

Rara, Vodou traditions, handmade masks

African

Traditional drumming, ancestral masquerades

Vietnamese

Lion dance, Tet celebrations

Chinese

Dragon dance, percussion traditions

Program Costs & Sustainability

Startup Cost to NORDC: $0

Escola de Samba Casa Samba provides all equipment, supplies, expertise, and marketing. NORDC provides only building access during tour hours.

Self-Sustaining Revenue Model

Admission Fees

Tour Packages

Workshop Fees

Private Events

Gift Shop

Timeline

August 2026

Soft Opening

Initial exhibit installation, invite-only preview

September 2026

Community Preview

Local schools and organizations

October 2026

Grand Opening

Public launch, media coverage

November 2026

Full Operations

Regular tour schedule, workshop calendar

Conclusion

The Carnival Cultures Interactive Tour Museum represents a historic opportunity for the City of New Orleans to preserve authentic carnival traditions, educate residents and visitors, unite diverse communities, attract cultural tourism revenue, and empower community members with real skills.

"We call New Orleans a melting pot. It's time to show the world what's in the pot."

Contact Information

Mestre Curtis Pierre

Founder & Cultural Director, Escola de Samba Casa Samba

View Full Legacy & Credentials

"Born in New Orleans, shaped by Brasil, Mestre Curtis Pierre bridges two worlds as the sole American to master both the ancient art of Capoeira and the soul-stirring rhythms of Brasilian percussion."