The festival serves as a sensory soiree, with the food, music, dance, martial arts and supermodels of the largest country in South America raining down on Scottsdale in a storm of colorful costumes. Brazilian ensemble Grupo Cupim do Samba will perform from its trove of traditional Brazilian music including samba and forro, and Long Beach-based band Delta Nove will put a funky twist on Brazilian roots music. Ivery – who spins tunes as DJ Seduce – will be working the turntables.
Other guests include 114 year-old Brazilian author Bernando LaPallo – whom we featured in our 2014 “Best of the Valley” issue as the Oldest Person in Arizona; 2014 Mrs. Brazil Globe, Neise Cardeiro; and Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion Gustavo Dantas. A Latin American culinary compedium – including Brazilian, Lebanese, Argentinian and Mexican cuisines – will be ready for consumption.
But for Ivery, the people are the best part of the pageantry. “I love the idea of seeing the faces of kids and adults who are coming out to explore Brazil – the diversity of Arizona’s communities that represent all nationalities who are intrigued and supportive of Brazil,” he says. “You have people that are Latino, Asian, African, Anglo, Middle Eastern and more all together celebrating Brazil. That’s always something to look forward to.”
The 6th Annual Brazilian Day Arizona Festival takes place from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, September 19 at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets cost $12; $5 for kids 10 and younger. Visit braziliandayarizona.com for more information.
