Forró Encantado

Jabu Morales
Jabu Morales is a Brazilian singer, percussionist, and cultural producer from Belo Horizonte, based in Spain since 2008. Deeply rooted in Brazilian popular traditions, her artistic path began with capoeira at the age of 12 and evolved through maracatu, percussive music, and especially forró and traditional folk dances (“brincadeiras populares”), which remain central to her musical identity.

Over the years, Jabu has built a solid international career, performing extensively across more than 30 countries and accumulating hundreds of concerts on major stages worldwide. She is a co-founder of the internationally acclaimed group Ayom and the creator of several projects dedicated to the diffusion of Brazilian culture in Europe.

Her work bridges tradition and contemporary expression, bringing the energy of Northeastern Brazilian rhythms to global audiences with authenticity and stage experience shaped over decades.

For this project, she is joined by Italian-Greek musician Timoteo Grignani (member of Ayom, with a background in world music and theater) and Italian musician Alberto Becucci, whose work spans theater, circus, and film. Together, they create a rich and dynamic musical dialogue grounded in tradition and performance.

DJ Monike
Monike is a DJ specializing in traditional forró music and a forró roots teacher dedicated to bringing authentic forró culture to Brazil and the world. Originally from São Paulo and residing in Juiz de Fora, her career is marked by passion and a deep understanding of the genre.

In Juiz de Fora, she teaches Forró da Monike, offering regular forró roots classes during the week.

Monike has already shone at the biggest forró festivals in Brazil, including Fenfit Itaúnas (at Bar Forró and Forró da Padaria), Baile da Independência, Baile dos Pães de Queijo, Festival de Aldeia Velha, Festival de Forró do Cantinho and Vix Roots, Roots Sul and Nata Forrozeira. She has also performed at renowned dances such as Baila Roots, Baile dos Ratos, Forró do Cantinho, Forró do Embolaxado and Sou Rio Roots.

Her musical curation is deeply influenced by the great masters of forró: Mestre Zinho, Marinês, Anastácia, Luiz Gonzaga, Os Três do Nordeste, Cecéu, and Antônio Barros. This robust foundation ensures that his DJ sets are a true immersion into the roots of the genre, blending classics and revealing gems that keep the dance floor buzzing.

Before the Party
The program of the day also includes dance workshops with Monike and a musical workshop with Jabu Morales, sold separately. Those will take place in the afternoon before the party at Jam Circle, Herengracht 13, and are organised by Forró Den Haag, check their website for more information and registration: forrodenhaag.nl.