Get Ready To Samba As Liverpool's Brazilian Carnival Arrives In 4 Weeks Time!

REGARDLESS of the weather, this summer is set to be a scorcher as Brazilica is back for 2015. The UK's only Brazilian festival and samba carnival officially launched at Alma De Cuba on Friday.

The evening gave a taster as to what audiences can expect from this year's festival, which returns to take over the City from Friday, 17 July to Sunday, 19 July 2015. Hosted by Bay TV The Guide's Jay Hynd and Ellie Phillips, Alma De Cuba was awash with colour as dancers took to the stage for a spectacular catwalk show.

Liverpool Samba School provided the sizzling samba beat for the dancers to shake their best moves as well as dazzling spectators with their visually stunning costumes.

Festival organisers Liverpool Carnival Company have already started to give details of this year's programme of events which include a film festival and fringe events packed with great music and exciting activities in venues across the City.

Music fans will not be disappointed as headlining this year's festival is highly renowned Brazilian singer, instrumentalist, songwriter and record producer Marcos Valle.

The multi-talented artist has produced over 300 songs spanning across bossa nova, samba and fusions of jazz, soul and dance genres, for artists all over the world. Do not miss Marcos at The Kazimier on Wednesday, 24 June 2015, ahead of his appearance at some of the UK's biggest music festivals this summer.

Other musical highlights include Leeds and London based 12 piece band Nubiyan Twist and Afrosamba the 8 piece band led by singer songwriter and guitarist Pilo Adami; two bands offering one unmissable night of brazil-iant music at The Kazimier on Friday, 10 July 2015.

New for 2015 and building on the success of the film screenings in previous years, organisers have announced Brazilica Film Festival in association with Fazenda Rodizio Bar and Grill. Twelve films celebrating Brazilian life and culture will be screened at various venues across the City between Wednesday 1 July to Sunday, 19 July 2015, with the majority of films free to attend.

There will also be a special Graffiti Art Exhibition at FACT running throughout the festival from Wednesday 1 July to Sunday, 19 July 2015, which compliments the screening of Cidade Cinza, one of the films screened as part of the Film Festival.

Inspired by the work of graffiti artists Os Gemeos, Cranio and others, the exhibition presents the style of graffiti shown in the documentary that has made the bohemian suburb of Vila Madalena in Sao Paulo a tourist attraction, and brought some of the artist's worldwide fame.

Don't miss a special event at The Museum of Liverpool on Saturday, 11 July, a fun filled day of music, dance and talks inspired by the Portuguese Brazilian film star Carmen Miranda, hosted by Lisa Shaw a Reader in Portuguese and Brazilian Studies at University of Liverpool. This will then be followed by a screening of the classic Carmen Miranda film That Night in Rio, as part of the Brazilica Film Festival.

In keeping with Rio tradition where carnival balls take over the City, Garlands will be celebrating all things Brazil as they host their very first Ipanema inspired Carnival Ball on Saturday, 11 July; so get ready to party and dance the night away and feel like you are celebrating in Rio itself.

The Carnival Queen Competition will once again return for 2015 on Friday, 17 July. Some of the UK's best samba dancers battle it out for samba supremacy; each showcasing their very best routine, most dazzling costume, and of course their sparkling personality and energy in the battle for the coveted title of Carnival Queen 2015.

However, the spectacular night time Carnival Parade remains the main festival highlight; the huge samba parade travels through the City filling the streets with colour, music and fun. Featuring Samba bands from across the UK and overseas, the parade takes place on Saturday, 18 July 2015. Further details on the parade route will be announced shortly.

There will also be a fantastic variety of free performances from visiting bands taking place across the City Centre on Saturday, 18 July and Sunday, 19 July 2015, which organisers will be announcing in the coming weeks.

Closing this year's Brazilica, District in the Baltic Quarter will host the carnival after party on Sat 18 July from 10pm where the Samba and Latin  House vibes are set to keep crowds partying until 3am. A night set to be full of surprises, enjoy great music, dance and performances as we say goodbye to Brazilica for another year. Tickets for this amazing Brazilica send-off are just £5, so be sure to join in for the carnival party of the year!

Keep up to date with all Brazilica Festival activity online.

EVENT LISTINGS

Marcos Valle

The Kazimier, 4 to 5 Wolstenholme Square, Liverpool, L1 4JJ
Wednesday, 24 June, from 8pm (7:30pm Doors)
Tickets:- £10* (Early Bird) / £12.50* (Advance) / £15 (Door)

Nubiyan Twist and Afrosamba

The Kazimier, 4 to 5 Wolstenholme Square, Liverpool, L1 4JJ
Friday 10 July, from 8:00pm (7:30pm Doors)
Tickets:- £6* (Early Bird) / £8* (Advance) / £10 (Door)

Tickets can be booked from See Tickets by visiting:- SeeTickets.com  or call:-  0871 220 0260.

Tickets for Marcos Valle can also be booked by visit:- TheKazimier.co.uk

Graffiti Exhibition

FACT, 88 Wood Street, Liverpool, Merseyside L1 4DQ
Wednesday 1 June to Sunday, 19 July, Tickets:- Free Event

Talk on Carmen Miranda, Music & Dance

The Museum of Liverpool, Liverpool Waterfront, Pier Head, Liverpool L3 1DG, on Saturday, 11 July from 12pm to 4pm. Tickets:- Free Event

* Please note that booking fees might be applied to these prices.  ...Continued...