Queen Mary Brazilian Carnival set for Feb. 2

THE 5th ANNUAL QUEEN MARY BRAZILIAN CARNAVAL 2008
"Carnaval goes Green - preserving the Environment and our Planet"
DYNAMIC RHYTHMS AND NON-STOP BRAZILIAN ENTERTAINMENT
Party in style aboard the historic ocean liner
ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2008
8:00 pm - 2:00 a.m.

Featured Brazilian- born performers are:
DANDARA “Brazil’s Tina Turner” & Pra Gandaia Band performing classic Sambas, Axé, Marchinhas and Frevo, and spectacular Reggae grooves from Bahia, Brazil
MAISA, the Samba Queen from San Francisco with Energia do Samba featuring dancers in costumes adorned in sequins, beads and feathers
CASA DO SAMBA SCHOOL – over 30 percussionists with the best of Samba Enredo and Batucada!
spectacular Samba show with MARISSA from Los Angeles and dancers
Ki-Xego Axé Dancers who move to a variety of Bahian beats

''Brazilian Carnaval…a wildly extravagant music party...Hot, hot samba on a chilly L.A. evening”
-- Don Heckman, Los Angeles Times


LOS ANGELES—This year Brazilian Carnaval in Los Angeles occurs on Saturday, February 2, 2008 at the QUEEN MARY in Long Beach, which has sold out three levels with a crowd of over 2500 guests every year for the past five years. This floating celebration and authentic demonstration of Brazilian Carnaval dance, parading and music occurs on the same day as Brazil’s own Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro and Bahia. This year’s theme is “Preservation of the Planet” featuring green and recycled decorations. At the heart of the 2008 celebration is renowned Bahiana Dandara, performing vibrant and energetic Carnaval beats. The party starts at 8:00 p.m. and features Dandara and Pra Gandaia Band with Marchinhas, Sambas, Frevo, AxÈ music of Bahia (http://www.myspace.com/pragandaia).
Also featured are: Samba Queen Maisa (http://www.carnaval.com/sf02/maisa.htm); the Samba Show Dancers moving to batucada rhythms in their feather-sequined bikini costumes, authentic Brazilian food from Silvio’s Brazilian B.B.Q., and Brazilian arts, crafts, Havaianas and fashion, giveaway souvenirs of Mardi Gras beads, tambourines and shakers. Plus watch Carnaval from Rio de Janeiro aired LIVE on big screens, adding excitement to the largest Carnaval party in Southern California.

Pra Gandaia is an energetic Brazilian music group fronted by the dynamic singer Dandara. Dandara's singing career began in her hometown, Salvador, Bahia, considered the soul and heartbeat of Brazil. Her deep, spicy singing voice and her vibrant dance and performance style make her a sensation on stage. Her exceptional voice and her contagious way of moving, dancing and jumping on the stage, has led her to be called the "Brazilian Tina Turner.” Inspired by the rich, sensuous swing of Bahia's rhythms, she has been able to create a mixture of many sources involving rhythms from the Caribbean, Africa, and Cuba. No one can stand still during her performances!!

Dandara has traveled across Brazil singing on top of “Trio Eletricos” during Carnaval and in concert halls from São Paulo to Rio. She was the featured vocalist for “Banda Relogio” with whom she recorded two CDs. In 1997 a Salvador radio station and the “A Tarde” newspaper chose Dandara as the "Nova Revelação" singer and winner of the Dodo and Osmar Award for the best new star of Axé Music. Dandára has shared the stage with the great names of Bahian Carnaval: Carlinhos Brown, Chiclete com Banana, Ivete Sangalo, Banda Eva, Ilê Ayê and Olodum. She was invited by Claude Nabis, producer of the Montreaux Festival in Switzerland, to be part of the Brazilian Night in the festival. Along with Gilberto Gil and Jorge Ben Jor, Dandára had the crowd singing and dancing in the aisles. Dandára is currently living in the Bay Area.

The irrepressible Samba Show Dancers, led by director-choreographer Marissa, complete the party as they offer its audiences a visual feast with extravagant performances of samba, frevo, axé, and capoeira, a traditional martial arts dance. Comprised of a diverse team of talented dancers, this ensemble of 15 radiates with sheer energy and passion. This exuberant exotic show was created authentically in Brazil. Brazilian mysticism, folklore, energy, creativity and enthusiasm radiates from the performances. Using all the best dancers and singers of Brazil, the performers themselves represent the many cultural backgrounds of the people in Brazil, bringing to life Brazil’s Technicolor soul.

CASA do SAMBA, the new generation of Brazilian samba and batucada simulate the Rio de Janeiro street Carnaval with Samba Enredo and a full percussion ensemble of 30 players, plus Danilo and Ki-Xego Axé Dancers showcasing a variety of Bahian choreographies and Djs spinning Brazilian rhythms.

Queen Mary Brazilian Carnaval 2008 will simulcast the Carnaval LIVE from Brazil on the big screen throughout the event, courtesy of Dish Network and TV Globo (Brazilian's main TV Channel). Patrons will experience the connection with others celebrating miles away from Rio.

A trip to Rio de Janeiro will be given away. Costumes are welcome! Authentic Brazilian food catered by Silvio’s Brazilian Bar B-Q, Golly Guarana (Brazil’s Classic Soft Drink), as well as crafts, clothing and a variety of Brazilian items will be available for purchase. Hip, socially conscious street ware from Listen clothing will offer T-shirts and Tote Bags (www.listenclothing.com).

Patricia and Gilberto Leao from Brazilian Nites Productions have been producing quality events with the best of Brazilian talent directly from Brazil since 1990. A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit the EYES OF A CHILD FOUNDATION, a non-profit organization that dedicates its social work to underprivileged children in Brazil.

Admission to Queen Mary Brazilian Carnaval 2008 is for all ages. Advance tickets are $38 for general admission, $45 for reserved table seating on the upper level and $55 for reserved table seating on the dance floor table, plus group discounts are available by calling (818) 566-1111. General Admission tickets can also be purchased in the following places: Kitanda Brazilian Market (818)995-7422, Brazil Mania (310)212-6040, El Camaguey Meat Market (310) 839-4037, El Gaucho Meat Market (310) 297-2617, El Gaucho II (714) 776-6400, Neutral Grounds Brazilian JIU-JITSU (562) 856-1615 , Taste of Brazil (323) 342-9422, Mercado Corona (949) 722-8008, Silvio’s Brazilian Bar- BQ (310) 539-2924. - Or by calling (818) 566-1111 / www.BrazilianNites.com

Tickets, if available, will also be sold on the day of the event at the Queen Mary from 4:00 pm on for $48 general admnission and $55/$65 reserved table seat, cash only at the door. The Queen Mary is located at 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, California 90802. Parking on site is available for a fee.
This event is sponsored in part by LATV, Golly Guarana, Dish Network and TV Globo, REMO Inc., Brasil Best, Silvio’s Brazilian Bar B-Q, Listen Clothing, Memories in a Box and SouthWinds Travel.