Santa Barbara Brazilian Carnaval. Courtesy image
SANTA BARBARA — The 12th Santa Barbara Brazilian Carnaval “Cultural” will kick off at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 14 with the “Feijoada Sabor Carnaval” and the open house at the Brazil Arts Café, 1230 State St, Santa Barbara, event organizers reported in a media release.
The biggest and only country south of the border to speak Portuguese is known for its spectacular “Carnaval,” charismatic and festive people, beautiful beach and magic soccer, organizers reported. Since 2002, the city of Santa Barbara celebrates the Brazilian culture and traditions in a series of events and through different arts forms starting in March.
The employees at the Brazil Arts Café on March 14 will wear green, yellow or blue (the colors of Brazilian flag) while the Feijoada, the most traditional of the Brazilian dishes and the caipirinha (the most famous Brazilian cocktail) will be available with a special tasting.
From 1 to 4 p.m. there will be classes for Capoeira, Samba, Hip Hop and even Kick-Boxing with a Brazilian twist.
Live music will be performed from 4 to 5:30 p.m. by Daniel Carneiro/New Cycle Band, with a dance performance by the Caipirinha Dancers. A travel consultant specialist in Brazil will answer questions about Brazil starting at 3 p.m., with free printed marketing material available.
The Santa Barbara Arts Foundry at Santa Barbara St. will present the “Carnaval Bowl,” with doors opening at 7:30 p.m.
Cesar & Thiago will perform at the Santa Barbara Arts Foundry on March 14. Courtesy photo.
The event features Brazilian Reggaetón stars Cesar & Thiago, the Afro-Brazilian band Prakantar & Master Mariano Silva, Capoeira Show, Feather Samba Dancers, Salsa Dancers and the introduction of the new Santa Barbara Carnaval Queen 2015, the carioca and personal trainer Luana Elliot. Feijoada and Caipirinha Specials also will be available.
The cultural series end in June with the “Bloco Carnaval” inside the Santa Barbara Solstice Parade, Saturday, June 20. The Bloco Carnaval as a tradition, will be leader by master capoeirista, percussionist and singer Mariano Silva, and will bring drummers, acrobatic capoeiristas, and at least ten feather samba dancers with the new Santa Barbara Carnaval Queen in front the Bloco Carnaval.
Santa Barbara Brazilian Carnaval Queen Luana Elliott Queen. Courtesy image
The Santa Barbara Brazilian Carnaval “Cultural” is presented by Contemporanea Instruments of Brazil, Univision Channel 38 and Soul Brasil magazine and this year 2015 the founder Lindenberg Junior joint forces with Mariano Silva Productions to produce the main event. Community sponsors includes Magali Travel Services, Kisuccess Publishing and Marketing, 805 Dance and Brazil Arts Café.
Visit www.sbbraziliancarnaval.com or call 805-245-5615 for more information.