BrasilFest

OVERVIEW

Seattle Center Festál presents BrasilFest in partnership with Brazil Center and Show Brazil Productions. BrasilFest invites the broader community to enjoy capoeira, food, music, dance, and more!

HISTORY

BrasilFest was established in 1999 by Brazilian immigrants and husband and wife duo, Eduardo and Ana Paula Mendonca, to share Brazilian arts and traditions during the week of Brazilian Folklore Day. This is unique because the holiday is not celebrated outside of Brazil, yet is an important day to educate and share Brazilian folkloric traditions.

Eduardo Mendonca is a musician, music arranger, composer, and festival organizer since 1974. He has performed for many notable people, such as the 14th Dalai Lama, Pope John Paul II, and former South Africa President, Nelson Mandela. He is the co-founder and co-director for Show Brazil Productions and the Brazil Center.

Ana Mendonca is the co-founder of Show Brazil Productions, a Seattle company established in 1995 to promote Brazilian arts and education opportunities the U.S. and Canada. She is the booking agent, promoter, and also co-founder of Brazil Center, a non-profit organization behind BrasilFest.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Chiquinha Gonzaga was the first musician to write lyrics to carnival music. Her composition ‘Abre Alas’ was composed in 1899. She was also the first musician to be divorced in Brazil in 1876 at age 29. At the time, it was taboo for a woman from a financially healthy family to dedicate her life to Brazilian popular music, instead of a classical music education.