We are happy once again this year to have Liza Cunningham as our official event photographer for the 2012 Brazilian Day in LA.  There are over 200 photos that you can see online.

To see the photos, click here.

To see more of Liza’s work, click here.

Where: Monsoon Cafe

Address: 1212 3rd Street Promenade Santa Monica, CA 90401

When: Friday, September 21, 2012 from 9 pm – 1 am

Come join the fun!!

(Photos by event photographer Liza Lemsatef Cunningham - photos and videos coming soon) The 2012 edition of the Brazilian Day has come and gone but it went way beyond expectations in terms of attendance and vibe (astral). It was truly the best of the local Brazilian community coming together to show it’s colors to the great city of Los Angeles. Brazilians are now part of LA’s international community and they certainly put their time, talent, money, and sweat and blood into what we consider to be the best Brazilian Day in LA ever. Estimates this year for attendance were more than double from last year and the organization, vendors, and entertainers bumped everything up a level.

New This Year

The event started this year with a first for Los Angeles: A Cleansing of the Street (Lavagem da Rua) by Linda Yudin’s and Viver Brazil’s groups. This traditional ceremony from Bahia Brazil truly set this year’s “astral” (vibe) for the rest of day and it sure brought us luck and happieness. It also marked the first time the Brazilian Day in LA (BDLA) had entertainment every minute for the duration of six hours with the acts staying on time and giving their all.

Wall-to-Wall Shows

Leading the event on stage was local personality, singer, composer, and astral guru Katia Moraes who was truly amazing in her guiding the event through the complicated and long day. There were 15 acts in all with four guest performers from Brazil, three of them making their debut in Fabio Keldani and his sister Karen as well as the Hip-Hop project, Brazil contingent. Tonho Materia headlined and was brought directly from Brazil for the event and rocked the crowd as the final performance. Local acts included the voice of Renni Flores accompanied by local Brazilian musicians, Katia Moraes, Brasilidade, Cupim do Samba, Raiz Brazil, SambaLeza Dancers by Valeria Ruggieri, Bodysport Capoeria, Amen Santos and Batuque Capoeira, Jander’s Amazonian dancers, the Sambarinhas, Viver Brazil, and DJ Izael.

Highlight of the Event

As always, the highlight of the event was SambaLa Samba Schools Rio-Style parade with the artistry of the international costume designer Doris de Hilster. Her costumes simply were jaw-dropping and the colors and designs showed all the pagentry of Rio de Janeiro’s grand carnavals. The parade featured singer Renni Flores singing her Samba Enredo she composed for SambaLa and the bateria was lead by Mestre Rodney de Assis who also served as stage manager. It was great to see so many friends, players, and directors playing with SambaLa again.

Food, Products, and Fun

Of course, shows are not the only thing that makes the BDLA unique.  The BDLA is the only large outdoor event in Los Angeles exclusively focused on the Brazilian culture reflected in the fact that all food vendors were cooking Brazilian food with many other vendors selling Brazilian goods. The lines were long and did not stop all day and if you were thirsty, you even had a chance to drink some beer and Brazil’s national drink: the caipirinha.

Children were also treated to great fun in the big balls of Crazy Bubble (Brazilian owned of course) and the fun didn’t pause for a minute.

What Makes the Brazilian Day in LA Unique

Los Angeles’ version of the Brazilian Day is unique in several ways.  One, it is in a beautiful park.  With grass underneath your feet, trees, and a unique parading circle for parades, it is in many people’s opinions much better than a street festival.  Second, it has a Rio-Style parade by a true samba school as an integral part of the event.  Third, we are in the land of Hollywood, and no other Brazilian Day can make that claim.

Thanks

Where to start? First to our sponsors who make this event happen.  To the founders and major sponsor of the event, the Consulate General of Brazil in Los Angeles.  They continue to trust our local community to put on a great and growing event and we hope we have done them proud. To Silvio’s BBQ who not only treat patrons to great food and drink, but who sponsor the event to help make it grow each year. To Copa Airlines for raffling off a round-trip ticket to Brazil to a lucky winner (the proceeds going to help children in Brazil) and being the official airline for the event and to South Winds Travel, our official travel agency. To California Steel, Contemporanea, Amazon Tur, WPS, Tommy Hilfiger, Samba Collection, SambaLa Samba School, Edu Remessas, and Rainbow Goodies who also contribute to the event.  And to our many media sponsors including Soul Brasil,  Soul Brazil TV, RioBela Productions, Brazilian Nites, KPFK, and the Brazilian Hour to name a few.

The People

We want to thank the board of directors who have thrown their full support into the event with everyone having the vision of a Brazilian Day in L.A. as someday being one of the biggest on the planet – after all, we are in Hollywood.

First, thanks to all of you who attended.  This year’s attendance was more than double last year so we must be doing something right and your patronage is greatly appreciated!

To all the members of SambaLa Samba School who work late nights on costumes, volunteer during the entire event, and who dance, and sing, and make music to make this event run smoothly, beautifully, and full of energy. To the local musicians who put in their time and efforts far beyond what is given normally. To the Brazilian artists who displayed their incredible work in the artists tent.  To all the Brazilian vendors bringing the best of Brazilian products, arts, and services to the event. Special thanks to Valeria Ruggieri, Luzi Arnold, and Leila Furumasu who worked many months on the event.

But finally, there is special thanks to one person who without them, this event would not have been remotely possible.  Doris de Hilster was the one who moved the food booths back, put the vendors on the right side across the oval to open up the event, and who tirelessly promoted the event getting about 4 hours of sleep a night for weeks on end while in the middle designing and working on costumes that she donates to the parade and event, especially the children.  She was the one to get Tonho Materia and Fabio Keldani to the event, receiving them into her home and her heart as guests. Her enduring spirit, her positive vibe, her “toughness” when things have to be commanded, and her kind heart make this event go way beyond what it would be without her.  We love you Doris and the entire Brazilian community here in Los Angeles and around the world are forever indebted to your service.  You are one of a kind.

Next Year

We have already been working on the 2013 version of the Brazilian Day in LA and the plans can be made in one word: BIG.

If you have a suggestion for the event, please send them to suggestion@braziliandayla.org.  We will take a look at them all so don’t be shy!

At the event and only at the event, you will get a chance to buy a raffle ticket and fly with one of the best airlines flying to Brazil: Copa Airlines.

Raffle Benefits Charity

The money collected for the raffle will benefit the charity Cajada de Oura and children in Brazil.

Seven Destinations in Brazil

We fly to seven destinations within Brazil:

• Belo Horizonte
• Brasilia
• Manaus
• Rio de Janeiro
• Porto Alegre
• Recife
• Sao Paulo

From Copa Airlines

We’re growing. As of June 2012, Copa Airlines and Copa Airlines Colombia will offer service to 64 destinations in 29 countries in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean, through our Hub of the Americas at the Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, Panama. We currently operate 280 flights daily.

Joining up with best of LA’s Brazilian musical talent including Rodney D’Assis, Fabio will sing for the crowd of admirers of this multi-talented Brazilian.

To learn more about Fabio, visit his website at http://www.fabiokeldani.com.br.  There you can check out his music, photos in info about this up-and-coming star in Brazil.

Photo by Richard Elfman of Chirstine Devine of Fox news with two of the winners for the contests, Joany Macias (Muse winner, left) and Diane Cavalcante (Queen or Rainha winner, right)

Drum Practice Tonight!

We have our drum or bateria practice tonight, Monday, August 27 for the Rio-Style and Bahian-Style parades for the Brazilian Day in LA.  Lead by master (mestre) Rodney D’Assis, we will be rehearsing at Ali Lexa’s studio in Los Angeles from 8 – 10 pm. Bring your drum!  Address is:

8-10 pm, 3231 Fay Ave. , Los Angeles, CA 90034

If you are a samba drum player, you are invited!

Samba Dance Classes in Long Beach on Tuesday

SambaLa’s weekly samba dance classes continue for the upcoming big event. Lead by SambaLa Madrinha, Valeria Ruggieri, come join us from 6:30 – 7:30 pm at Bodysport Capoeria in Long Beach at:

BodySport Capoeira
2236 E. 7th Street
Long Beach, CA 90804

$15 a class, or $48 for 4 classes.

Congrats to our Winners!

We want to thank everyone who came to our Dance Contest and Fundraiser.  It was a packed house and resounding success!  Thanks to our celebrity judges for a great job and congrats to the winners:

Rainha da Bateria (Queen): Dianne Calvacante

First Princess: Sandra Grande

Second Princess: Irani da Silva

And to our 2012 Brazilian Day Carnaval Muse: Joany Macias

Special thanks to our sponsors Samba Steakhouse, Samba Collection, RioBela Productions, Josey Events, and super thanks to Doris de Hilster and Valeria Ruggieri. Here is a video of the announcement of the samba dance winners:

Photos coming shortly…

SambaLa Samba School every few years chooses the top samba dancer for the school to dance in front of the drum corp or “bateria”.  Other than the madrinha (godmother, currently Valeria Ruggieri), the position of Rainha is the most coveted spot for a samba dancer. The current queen, Jonia McClenney is coming to the end of an amazing term and we thank her for her dedication, heart, and many years of service.

In addition, judges will be choosing the Brazilian Day in LA muse who will also parade on the day of the event on September 8, 2012. Entertaining at the event will be Mestre Rodney D’Assis will be leading the bateria with the incredible voice from God, Renni Flores singing.

Christine Devine of Fox news, winner of 16 Emmys is a friend and member of SambaLa for over 10 years and is half Brazilian

Celebrity judges for the event will be Christine Devine of Fox News, artist and Rose Parade float designer John Ramirez, Director, Musician, Producer, Richard Elfman, Playboy Photographer Isaac Mathew White, Mestre Roque from BodySport Capoeira, Flavio Ribeiro from Brasilidade. They will be choosing the best samba dancer for SambaLa Samba School as well as the muse for this coming Brazilian Day in LA.

Dinner and Event Special Price: $37 (in Advance Only)

A special dinner / event package can be purchased in advance online for $37 and includes the famous “all-you-can-eat” Brazilian buffet and meat.  You can also purchase tickets for the event in advance for $10 or $15 at the door with proceeds going to the Brazilian Day in LA.  We suggest you plan dinner for around 7 to 7:30 pm with doors opening for the event at 9 pm.

You can pay online by going to: http://rainha.sambala.org

Address:

Samba Restaurant, Redondo Beach, CA
Tel: (310) 374-3411
207 North Harbor Drive
Redondo Beach, CA 90277

Time: 9 pm – 1 am

Tonho Materia to Headline 8th Brazilian Day in L.A.

Los Angeles, California – August 2, 2011 - The 8th Annual Brazilian Day once again joins forces with the 15th Brazilian Street Carnaval in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 8, 2012 at the LaBrea Tar Pits from noon to 6 pm.  This year’s headlining entertainer Tonho Materia comes direct from Salvador  Brazil to the event which features Brazilian bands, shows, dancers, parades, and Brazilian food and goods.

This year’s edition of the Brazilian Day in L.A. and Brazilian Street Carnaval will feature Tonho Materia, a Brazilian singer, musician, and composer who before going solo, worked with Olodum, the famous Brazilian group who worked with the likes of Michael Jackson and Paul Simon. Tonho Materia has had a successful solo career in Brazil and abroad playing in Europe, Asia, and the americas bringing his contagious afro-Brazilian beat to an admiring world.  Tonho to date as recorded 11 CDs and two DVDs.

The Brazilian Day in LA is put on the by local Brazilian community of Los Angeles, featuring Brazilian food, drink, products, and lots of music, costumes, drums, making this event the place to be for all things Brazilian. During this six hours in Hancock Park at the La Brea Tar Pits, the event will include Brazilian performances by international star Tonho Materia with the best in local Brazilian bands and groups including feathered samba dancers, the incredible martial art / dance / music of capoeira, Samba, and Samba Reggae. Another highlight of the event will be an authentic Rio-Style Brazilian parade by the kings of Samba, SambaLá Samba School of Long Beach California and a Trio-Electrico parade lead by Tonho Materia himself allowing all who are moved to groove to jump in.

The event takes place on Saturday September 8, 2012 from noon until 6 pm. Admission is free and the event is “family friendly”. For more information you can go to http://www.braziliandayla.org, email contact@braziliandayla.org, or telephone 562-508-4504.

About the Brazilian Day in Los Angeles

The Brazilian Day in Los Angeles was founded in 2006 by the Consulate General of Brazil in Los Angeles. The objective is to create a day where the Los Angeles Brazilian community comes together to show it diversity, color, and passion.  The event is modeled after other Brazilian days around the world in the month of September including the Brazilian Day in New York which now boasts over one million in attendance.

About SambaLa Samba School and the Brazilian Street Carnaval

SambaLá Samba School is a 18-year-old non-profit organization based in Long Beach California and is dedicated to creating a community for those who enjoy the Brazilian culture. They provide samba dance and drum classes, do professional shows, and produce the annual Brazilian Street Carnaval and the Brazilian Day in L.A. You can visit their website at http://www.sambala.org.

About Tonho Materia

Tonho Materia is a Brazilian musician, composer, and singer from Bahia, the northern part of Brazilian known for their energetic afro-Brazilian style. Tonho was part of the famous Olodum percussion group (which played with Michael Jackson and Paul Simon) before going solo. Tonho has recorded 11 CDs and two DVDs and is well-known in Brazil and had played around the world.  For more information, see http://www.tonhomateria.com.

Contact:
David de Hilster
david@braziliandayla.org
726 W. 28th Street,
Long Beach, California
United States
Ph: 310-991-5744
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Registering allows you to enter your information about your booth online. There is no commitment if you fill out a booth application online. We have to approve the booth and you have to pay for the booth for it to be final. We do work on a first come first serve basis so get your booth registered as soon as possible.

All registrations are checked by a person before being approved. This can take up to a day or a few minutes depending on when the person approves you.

Booths

Once registered, if you are planning to have a booth at the event, you can fill out an online booth form to register your booth. To register your booth or booths, do the following:

1. Register for the site (if you are a SambaLa member, you can use your SambaLa login without registering).
2. Login
3. Click on “2012” in the top left of the website
4. Click on “Booths” on the right-hand side menu
5. Add or edit your booths there

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