Two sisters raised in Rio’s Rocinha favela bring a lifetime of singing together to the Sesc Teresópolis stage this Friday.
On Friday, March 27, Sesc Teresópolis hosts I(r)mãs – Jéssica Ellen e Enjoyce cantam clássicos, starting at 7 PM. The show is a heartfelt tribute to Black women’s voices in Brazilian popular music (MPB), featuring two sisters who grew up singing side by side in the Rocinha community of Rio de Janeiro.
Selected through the Sesc RJ Pulsar Cultural Grant, the project celebrates sisterhood, musical heritage, and Black female protagonism. The setlist draws from iconic songs such as Bem Que Se Quis, Cordeiro de Nanã, Um Dia de Domingo, Futuros Amantes, Maria Maria, and Milagreiro — timeless pieces that speak directly to the soul of Brazilian music.
We always sang at home on Saturdays. Our mother and grandmother were very musical, and we grew up like that, singing together, in the middle of fun sisterly moments. Our family has a very strong feminine presence, made up of Black women who recognize the importance of that bond. So my sister, who is a musician, and I decided to bring that experience to the stage — an invitation to celebrate Brazilian music. — Jéssica Ellen
An All-Women Band
Beyond the sisters’ voices, the show deepens its commitment to representation with a band made entirely of women. Claudia Elizeu handles piano and musical direction, Samara Líbano plays acoustic guitar, and Georgia Câmara takes on percussion. Together, they craft arrangements that are both emotionally resonant and rhythmically vibrant.
Who Are Jéssica Ellen and Enjoyce
Jéssica Ellen is an actress, singer, and songwriter with a strong presence in Brazilian music and film. She released the albums Sankofa (2018) and Macumbeira (2021), starred in TV dramas including Volta por Cima, Amor de Mãe, and Assédio, won the Kikito Award and the Prêmio Guarani in cinema, and launched the series Vítimas do Dia.
Enjoyce — born Joyce Kelly — is a percussionist and music educator with over 10 years of experience. She works with the Escola de Música da Rocinha Social Project and is a member of the group Som das Vielas, using music as a tool for community empowerment.
Tour Dates Across Rio de Janeiro State
The Teresópolis show kicks off a series of performances across the state. Upcoming I(r)mãs tour dates:
- March 27 – Sesc Teresópolis
- May 21 – Sesc Ramos
- June 12 – Centro Cultural Sesc Quitandinha
- July 3 – Sesc Campos
- August 14 – Sesc Nova Iguaçu
Event Info
- Show: I(r)mãs – Jéssica Ellen e Enjoyce cantam clássicos
- Date: Friday, March 27, 2026
- Time: 7 PM
- Venue: Sesc Teresópolis – Teresópolis, RJ, Brazil
- Tickets: Free (PCG cardholders) | R$ 5.00 (Full Credential) | R$ 7.50 (Half price) | R$ 15.00 (Full price)
- Information: contact each Sesc unit directly
