From 12/07 to 20/07 Brazilica @ Liverpool/UK
01 Jul, 2013
FULL BRAZILICA FESTIVAL PROGRAMME REVEALED – MUSIC, FOOD, FILM, VISUAL ARTS, DANCE, CRAFTS AND MORE
FESTIVAL Brazilica ‘Parade and Carnival’ @ Liverpool/UK info: www.brazilicafestival.com
The final Brazilica 2013 countdown is on! This month, Samba fever will take over Liverpool as the country’s biggest samba carnival event returns for a third year, bigger and brighter than ever, with a week long programme of exciting events taking place in the run up to the main carnival day.
The main Brazilica carnival day on Saturday 20 July will see a 500-strong Evening Parade fill the city’s streets with colour, sparkle and music and Williamson Square will host a Music Stage throughout the day and evening, hosted by DJs from 107.6 Juice FM. The stage will feature the best Brazilian bands such as headliners, Rio-based samba Beatle Band Sargento Pimenta celebrating the global legacy of Liverpool’s greatest musical export and innovative samba & jazz fusion quartet Tribo Da Pesada, both who command 100,000-strong audiences in their native country. A host of other great samba and funk bands, dancers and DJs will also be on hand to entertain revellers who will be able to eat, drink and be merry as they experience this great programme of music and samba dancing, with an outdoor ‘cocktail shack’ and stalls offering the best in Brazilian food.
A brand new element of this year’s carnival day is Brazilica Capoeira Encontro at St Luke’s ‘Bombed Out’ Church – an afternoon of capoeira demonstrations and performances from internationally renowned Capoeira master Mestre Parente of Capoeira Cordão de Ouro. Pop down between 12noon and 2pm on Saturday 20 July to watch the masters in action and maybe even have a go yourself!
Friday 19 July, the eve of the main carnival day – is an evening of Carnival Queens and Kings! The evening’s festivities kick off with another new and exciting event for Brazilica 2013 – bringing one of the country’s oldest traditions to Liverpool! The appearance of Carnival King character Rey Momo traditionally signals the start of carnival festivities across several Latin American countries and this year Liverpool will have its very own Rey Momo in the shape of Juice FM’s Baz Todd who – in full costume and accompanied by dancers and samba musicians will arrive at Liverpool Town Hall at 5.30pm to be handed the key to the Brazilica Carnival by Liverpool’s very own Lord Mayor Cllr Gary Millar.
With the festival fanfare officially started, the Friday night fun then continues at the nearby exclusive Newz Bar with the yearly Brazilica Carnival Queen competition! Brazilian dancers from far and wide will battle for samba supremacy which will see each dancer showcase their best routine, most dazzling costume, and of course their sparkling personality and energy. Featuring dancers from some of the World’s most renowned Samba Schools, the public are invited to attend the competition which takes place from 7pm on Friday 19 July.
A week long programme of events will lead up to this carnival extravaganza, a highlight of which is Frevo Drop – a stunning exhibition of hand-painted and illuminated umbrellas is going on display as part of this year’s Brazilica festival. Frevo Drop is curated by arts collective Braziliality, and comes to Liverpool from the London V&A Museum. The installation of 30 original frevo umbrellas will be available to view in Metquarter from Friday July 12, right through the Brazilica festival week. Metquarter will also be holding costume-making workshops suitable for all the family. Frevo is a Brazilian style of high tempo carnival music and dance so distinct to the culture of the north east region of Perambuco that it is recognised by UNESCO. Dancers with frevo bands are known for their energetic moves accompanied with the waving of colourful parasols.
Saturday 13 July sees the ever-popular Afrosamba return to Brazilica for an evening of samba beats
at Leaf on Bold Street in what is the perfect pre-carnival weekend warm-up event! From 7.30pm-late, tickets for this fun and funky event cost just £5.
Firm festival favourite, The Brazilica Zumbathon will be back and this year raise funds for both the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and the Liverpool Carnival Company. This popular fixture of the festival hits Liverpool ONE’s Chavasse Park on Sunday 14 July and is led by Zumba Liverpool’s Karen. Participants are encouraged to dress in carnival costume or don feathered headdress with their gym attire and anyone can join the party! The Brazilica Zumbathon® will also feature a special “Brazilicathon” section carefully choreographed by Simone Reeves, Carnival Queen and lead dancer at Liverpool Samba School and, which will be in keeping with the Zumba® Fitness Movement. The Zumbathon costs £8 in advance or £10 on the day to enter, with all proceeds going to the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and the Liverpool Carnival Company. To register, visit www.brazilicafestival.co.uk
The old Edge Hill Library on Lodge Lane (home of Liverpool Carnival Company) will be the venue for Samba Drumming and Dance lessons on Monday 15 July at 7.30 (dance – FREE) and 8.30 (drumming – £5) which interested parties of all ages and abilities are welcome to attend.
The festival week boasts 2 night time Brazilian film screenings at St Luke’s (Bombed Out) Church. Tuesday 16 July brings Orfeus Negro (Black Orpheus) a fascinating Academy Award-winning 1950’s film directed by Marcel Camus is love story set in the modern context of a favela in Rio de Janeiro during Carnival and on Thursday 18 July see ‘O Ano em Que Meus Pais Saíram de Férias ‘(The Year My Parents Went on Vacation), the 2006 film directed by Cao Hamburger. It follows the story of a boy left alone in a Jewish neighbourhood in the city of São Paulo in the year of 1970 amongst the excitement of the upcoming World Cup and whilst the country is under strict rule from a military government. Both screenings begin at 9.30pm and are free to attend but a small donation on the door is encouraged.
Visit the Metquarter on Wednesday 17 July to take part in a free Carnival Headdress Workshop The Liverpool Carnival Company’s chief costumière Maeve Morris will be on hand to help participants make their very own carnival headdress from 12.30-2pm.
Rounding off all the fun on Saturday 20 July is the now legendary Brazilica After Party! This year at a new location: HAUS Warehouse on Greenland Street – off Jamaica Street, for what promises to be an unforgettable evening of great food, drink and of course music. All the beautiful Carnival Queens, Samba bands and drum troops will be there cutting loose and enjoying the party, joining them will be a collection of live performances from a vibrant array of artists featured in the carnival. The night will then carry on with some amazing DJ acts playing out Samba and Latin-House vibes keeping the crowds on their feet and entertained until 4am. Prices for this awesome night’s entertainment start from just £6 with an on the night door price of £10. To purchase tickets please visit http://skdl.it/12kZUnq
This year’s Brazilica programme truly offers something for everyone – for more information on all of the above events please visit www.brazilicafestival.co.uk
