The festive flair of Brazilian culture will once again fill the air with celebratory sights and sounds when Carnaval returns to downtown Saturday, Feb. 17.
The 15th annual San Diego Brazilian Mardi Gras Ball, as it’s known, is all set to go down at 4th & B, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. The pulsing percussion and colorful costumes expected of the event will be on hand as “Carnavalescos” dance to the rhythms of Samba, Batucada, marcha, Axe music Frevo, Samba-reggae and Carnaval Electrico.
Musical group SambaDa, featuring vocalist Dahnda da Hora from Bahia, Brazil, and special guests Marcio Peter and Wagner Abuter will provide these very sounds.
In addition to the music, capoeira from local group Capoeira Brasil will parade and Mardi Gras beads will figure prominently.
Between 1,500 and 2,000 people are expected to attend. According to organizers, San Diego Brazil Carnaval has developed the reputation as being one of the largest and most authentic Carnaval celebrations outside Brazil. It signals the start of San Diego’s Carnaval Mardi Gras Celebration, which culminates with the Gaslamp Mardi Gras Parade on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 20.
For Brazilian organizer Christine Portella, the event is especially personal.
“I was born in Rio de Janeiro, so I take a lot of pride in this event,” she said. “Being able to bring that experience here is just absolutely fantastic.”
Portella noted that Carnaval is traditionally a month-long celebration with four official days of all-out festivities, which end on Fat Tuesday.
Perhaps what sets Carnaval apart, however, is the participatory nature of the event. Portella said she is often asked by first-timers if they will “watch” the show before them.
“There’s no such thing as ‘sit and watch,'” she said. “You are a part of Carnaval. That’s what makes the experience so unique, because it is impossible for you to sit down and watch. The rhythms and the percussion and the music is contagious.”
When asked about the authenticity of the show compared to what one might find in Brazil, Portella simply responds, “I’m from Rio, what would you think?” She said she strives to be as real “in every single detail” as possible.
“I feel very fortunate that there is a lot of local talent here from Brazil. My dancers are from Brazil. I’d have a hard time getting these dancers in Brazil,” Portella said.
Authenticity is also reflected in the decorations and drinks, which will include the Brazilian favorite, caipirinhas, along with Brahma beer, a Brazilian import.
With this in mind, San Diego Carnaval is a 21 and up event. For more information, visit www.brazilcarnival.com.