Brasilian Carnivals/Festivals/Events, Liverpool.

For many years now, lots of towns and cities in the UK have promoted ‘Brasilian’ carnivals/festivals/events, most notably London, with its plethora of great bands and clubs, and London sees every year the ‘Carnaval del Pueblo’ which is now probably the largest Latin American festival in Europe and there is the Notting Hill Carnival- which needs no explanation (and who in their right mind would try to copy it)?! Edinburgh held one and the Rotterdam Carnival in Holland and Coburg Samba festival in Germany seem to get more popular and bigger- and is there any need to mention Rio? There are always ‘Rio-style’ carnivals, ‘biggest’ or ‘best’ outside Rio, etc, etc. NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING, compares with the Rio carnival in Brasil (either at the Sambadrome or on the streets), or in any other city there. NO British ‘Samba’ band or 'school' playing in the UK, or ANY city doing a carnival, will EVER come anywhere close to matching Rio. The parade at the Sambadrome in Rio is for the top Brasilian musicians in the Samba groups. They practice all year round and the standard of musicianship of the Brasilian players and bands is incredible. It is in their blood and it is their culture. It is also in their interest to keep it Brasilian and not let the ‘gringos’ take over their culture and carnival like Yanqui (USA) culture is doing all over the world.

Now in Liverpool the city has bands, dancers and musicians, (like Batala and Beatlife) and the competition is great. Batala is considered to be the best Brasilian percussion band in the north of England, if not the country. They have played at the Royal Variety Performance in the presence of HRH Prince Charles and HRH Camilla backing the Sugababes in December 2006 in London, England and played at the first international at the New Wembley, London, England v Brazil in June 2007. Brasilian bands have for years played in Liverpool and done their own little parades with festivals like Africa Oye and Brouhaha (ILE AIYE from Salvador, Bahia, Mangueira fro Rio and Batala from Liverpool).

Juanito will continue to try to organise Brasilian music and dancing and promote nights. But whatever happens, and whoever does it, let's hope the people of Liverpool see some great music and dancing from Brasil!!
Viva o Brasil!

Let’s see what happens! I’ll keep you updated!
SEE PHOTOS BELOW!!!