Boston’s first annual Carnaval Brasileiro, presented by FestaMundo, will happen at 9 pm on Saturday, February 18, 2006 at The Castle at Park Plaza, located at the corner of Columbus Avenue and Arlington Street.
Driving samba beats, exotic costumes and the uninhibited euphoria of over 1800 partygoers decorated in body paint, exotic masks, sequins, feathers and beads should establish this Brazilian-style samba festival as the premier party in the heart of Boston as it heats up a cold New England winter with wild abandon.
Having grown into an institution in Austin, Texas, attracting nearly 5,500 partygoers from all over the United States, FestaMundo’s Carnaval Brasileiro began in that city in the early 1970s, to soothe homesick Brazilian students.
The flamboyant, sometimes risqué, costumes, the driving Brazilian samba, and the uninhibited, spirited atmosphere have earned Carnaval Brasileiro its reputation as one of the best and biggest such festivities outside Brazil.
Now, the same spirit and excitement of Carnaval is about to jump into Boston. Tickets for this wild party are limited; it should be noted that the Austin Carnaval has always sold out since it was established in the ’70s.
New York’s Grupo Saveiro will provide the musical thunder for the first year’s bacchanal. Annually voted the best Brazilian band in the United States by the Brazilian International Press Association, they have performed at countless carnavals over the years.
Veterans of Rio de Janeiro’s world famous Carnaval parades, the group’s ten Brazilian-born musicians will introduce Boston to a truly hedonous mix of Carnaval rhythms.
Featured with Grupo Saveiro will be legendary percussionist, songwriter and rapper Davi Vieira, who hails from Salvador da Bahia, Brazil.
The super talented Vieira has toured Europe, Asia, Africa and the United States with several dance companies and has performed and recorded with artists such as Angelique Kidjo, Santana, Sun Ra, Wyclef Jean, Yerba Buena, Baby do Brazil, Deborah Blando, Bebel Gilberto, Vinicius Cantuária, Maria de Barros, Marchan, Richard Bona, Patricia Marx, Muzenza and others.
He has also composed and recorded four songs with new age cellist Dave Eggar for his new CD, Left of Blue. In addition, he is a founding member of Ogan’s Band and MD MCs, a Brazilian rap group, which released a CD and music video in Brazil on the EMI label. Davi also was a featured member of the Off-Broadway show Stomp for ten years and is currently in the process of recording his first solo CD.
Opening for Grupo Saveiro will be the 10-piece Samba Tremeterra bateria, an exhilarating Boston-based Samba group led by Deraldo Ferreira who is also the founder and director of the Brazilian Cultural Center of New England.
Where: Boston Castle at Park Plaza, Columbus Avenue at Arlington Street, Boston; wheelchair accessible
When: Saturday, February 18, 2006. Doors at 8 pm, music at 9 pm – 2 am
Cost: $44 in advance, $49 cash only at the door, if available. Cash bars and food; this is a 21 and over event.
Tickets: Ticketweb at 800-965-4827. Carnaval Brasileiro Boston will accept cash only at the door.
Info: For more information call 512-352-5190.
Carnaval Brasileiro – www.carnavalboston.com