BRAZiLiAN CARNAVAL

''Brazilian Carnaval…a wildly extravagant music party...

Hot, hot samba on a 

chilly L.A. evening”
Don Heckman

Los Angeles Times

The much-anticipated, annual LA tradition of Brazilian Carnaval (now in its 9th year, formerly aboard the Queen Mary) erupts on Saturday, February 21, 2009 at the newly renovated THE HOLLYWOOD PALLADIUM (a LIVENATION venue) and will inaugurate the ballroom as its largest public celebration since reopening in November with Jay Z। Boasting the title of largest Carnaval on the West Coast, Brazilian Nights Carnaval has sold out with a crowd of 3000+ guests every year for the past nine years. This celebratory spectacle and authentic demonstration of Carnaval dance, costuming, parading, music, drink and food occurs on the same day as Brazil’s own Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro and Bahia. At the heart of the 2009 celebration is renowned recording artist Katia Moraes and Nation Beat, with top-notch musicians performing sizzling Carnaval beats. The party starts at 8:00 p.m. with LIVE music by Katia Moraes & Pure Samba with Marchinhas, Sambas, AxÈ music of Bahia and NYC’s Nation Beat in their LA debut bringing the Carnaval of Pernambuco, Recife with Frevo and Maractu rhythms.

Also featured are: Master of Ceremonies, Bakari & Diane Nicholson (“The Samba Queen”); Flavio Ribeiro and Unidos of California Samba School moving to batucada rhythms in their feather and sequined “barely there” costumes; a Capoeira Show by Mestre Amen & Capoeira Batuque; an eclectic mix of Afro-Brazilian rhythms with DJ Seduce; PLUS authentic Brazilian food, real caipirinhas, Brazilian arts, crafts, Havaianas, and giveaway souvenirs of Mardi Gras beads, tambourines and shakers. Costumes encouraged!

LIVE VIDEO allows audience to witness Carnaval simulcast from Brazil (courtesy of Dish Network and TV Globo, Brazil's main TV Channel), with live feed of the LA celebration aired on big screens, adding excitement to the largest Carnaval party on the West Coast.

FEATURED MUSIC:

KATIA MORAES & Pure Samba perform a perfect blend of dynamic harmonies and exhilarating rhythms, the best of Brazilian Carnaval। The band enchants audiences with the richest sounds of Brazil; a mix of samba, marchinhas (traditional carnaval sambas), pagode, and axé (the Bahian carnaval). Katia was recently nominated for a Brazilian Press Award. Her energetic presence is beautifully complimented by the explosive power of percussion, and outstanding keyboards, guitar and bass. Los Angeles Times says"... She comes on stage like an explosion, her body in constant motion, her voice excited and dynamic."

NATION BEAT is a Brazilian / US roots band from Brooklyn, NY। Their singer, Liliana Araujo, is classically trained and was a winner of Fama, the Brazilian 'star search' show. Willie Nelson heard their CD and invited them to play at Farm Aid! They finish their set with a thrilling maracatu percussion breakdown.

Flavio Ribeiro and Unidos of California Samba School, the new generation of Brazilian samba and batucada simulate the Rio de Janeiro street Carnaval with Samba Enredo and a percussion ensemble of 20 players.

DJ Seduce is a world music aficionado and Brazilian music DJ from Phoenix, Arizona. He brings an eclectic mix of Afro-Brazilian rhythms married with the warm vibrations of samba, jazz and funk to his live sets. Founder of the international label Afro:Baile Records, DJ Seduce spins the cutting edge global sounds of world beat.

FEATURED DANCE:

LA’s irrepressible Viver Brasil Dance Company will perform the special Maracatu dance, which parodies the royal court of the Baroque period and enacts a pre-colonial African tradition, parading the calunga, a special ceremonial doll representing tribal dances.

This longstanding ritual dance is a prime example of in-your-face Carnaval revelry! “intoxicating style” – LA Times

The sinewy samba dancers of Tropidanza crown the party offering a visual feast with extravagant performances of samba, frevo and axé. The ensemble of 20 dancers radiates with sheer energy and passion with an exotic show created authentically in Brazil, incorporating the mysticism, folklore, energy, and creativity of the culture. Using all the best dancers and singers of Brazil, the performers represent the many cultural backgrounds of the people, bringing to life Brazil’s Technicolor soul. Mestre Amen & Capoeira Batuque perform the always breathtaking and gravity defying capoeira.

Carnaval Producers, Patricia and Gilberto Leao from Brazilian Nites Productions have produced quality events with the best of Brazilian talent including recently Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso direct from Brazil since 1990.

The Hollywood Palladium Brazilian Carnaval 2009 is for all ages. Advance tickets are $38 for general admission and $55 for reserved table seating and $65 for VIP seating, plus group discounts are available by calling (818) 566-1111. Purchase General Admission and Reserved Table tickets by calling (818) 566-1111 or visit www.BrazilianNites.com