Photos by SAMBA E SAUDADE PRODUCTIONS This Saturday, the 20th
annual Brazil Carnaval is bringing a taste of Brazilian culture to
Los Angeles.
By Jacqueline Maar
Daily Bruin Contributor
Halloween is no longer the only day of the year to wear crazy
costumes and party all night long.
The Brazil Carnaval, described as Mardi Gras, Brazilian style,
now gives avid partyers an excuse and occasion to dress up and have
a little fun. This Saturday, for one night only, the Brazil
Carnaval is bringing a taste of Brazilian culture to Los
Angeles.
“Find your love or bring your love to the Brazil
Carnaval,” Maria Lucien, president of Brazil Carnaval said in
a phone interview from her Los Angeles office.
According to Maria, the Carnaval is a nonstop party that starts
at 9 p.m. and goes throughout the night. Filled with Brazilian
music, food and entertainment, the Carnaval is an experience unlike
any other.
“It’s the real thing, we recreate exactly what
happens in Brazil, with all the Brazilian flavor,” Kathy
Lucien, general manager of Brazil Carnaval said in a phone
interview.
“But, the beautiful thing that we do, because it is Brazil
and it’s attractive to so many people, is that we attract not
just Brazilians but every type of subculture that exists here in
Los Angeles,” she continued.
The 20th annual Brazil Carnaval opens this year with the theme
“Metamorphosis, (the Fantasy of Transformation).”
Photos by SAMBA E SAUDADE PRODUCTIONS A Brazilian diva struts
her stuff for the audience at the Brazil Carnaval. This year’s 20th
annual Brazil Carnaval opens with the theme "Metamorphosis (the
Fantasy of Transformation)." “The metamorphosis is the whole
concept behind the Carnaval because originally, a class difference
existed in Brazil between the upper class and the lower
class,” Kathy said. “The upper class had the money to
be whatever and do whatever they wanted, but the lower class people
went out into the streets of the Carnaval and created their
fantasies and made their fantasies come true.”
“They would wear these embellished costumes and go to the
streets and just dance and celebrate life,” she continued.
“For the four days in Brazil, they could be and do whatever
they wanted.”
Performing in the Carnaval are Entre Nos, a live Brazilian band
and the Ula Samba School, a moving drum section.
Ula, meaning “everyone” in the Brazilian Village of
Los Angeles, features the Brazilian singer Clever George as its
puxadore. According to Maria, the puxadore acts as a cheerleader,
carrying the melody for the school since the Samba School primarily
consists of drums.
Photos by SAMBA E SAUDADE PRODUCTIONS
“This year we have one band and one Samba school, and then
we have the female dancers, called the divas, and constantly the
stage is full of entertainment and it’s dynamic,” Kathy
said. “There are two stages so that when one stops playing
the other one starts ““ there’s never a dull moment;
that’s the whole concept of Carnaval ““
nonstop.”
According to Maria, the music stops only during the evening for
the costume contest. Since all partygoers are encouraged to dress
with their fantasies in mind, the costume contest is one of the
highlights of the Carnaval. Allowing everyone to become involved
with the entertainment, all are invited to dress up and compete for
a chance to win a trip to Brazil.
“The public makes the Carnaval ““ it’s like
Halloween without the dead people,” Maria said. “There
are a lot of beautiful costumes, decorations and painted
faces.”
The Carnaval, which in the past has been held at the Hollywood
Palladium, moves this year to its new location at the Hollywood
Park Casino.
“We moved to a much more beautiful place that is more
elegant, more intimate and much safer than the Palladium,”
Maria said.
While the Brazil Carnaval celebrates for four days, the L.A.
version is condensed into one night. With a huge dance floor, two
stages and a banquet style food area, the Brazil Carnaval provides
lots to see and lots to do throughout the night.
“It’s actually one of the most fantastic parties
that exists, a ball of a diverse culture,” Kathy said.
“We attract people from every walk of life and they all come
together to just celebrate life and that’s really what the
Carnaval is all about.”
CARNAVAL: The Brazil Carnaval takes place this
Saturday, doors open to all ages at 9 p.m. Ticket prices range from
$20 to $40 and can be purchased by calling (323) 634-7811.