BrasilFest, at Seattle Center, Presents the Lively World of Brazilian Arts and Culture Featuring the Bossa-Nova Theme

BrasilFest will fill Seattle Center with a sultry display of South American soul, Brazilian style, and celebrate Brazilian cultural diversity through traditional and contemporary expressions. The festival features continuous music, dance and performance, from Capoeira demonstrations and Samba workshops to children's activities (mask-making, painting), Brazilian instruments, arts and crafts, photo exhibits and films.

The 2010 BrasilFest theme is Bossa-Nova, a Brazilian musical style popularized internationally by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Joao Gilberto. The Bossa-Nova movement in Brazil lasted from 1958-1963 and it contributed significantly to standard jazz repertoire.

This year's guest performer is Jonathan Patterson, also known as "Capital" from California, who will perform and conduct a "Bossa-Nova" workshop. Capital has studied Bossa-Nova for years and is a highly acclaimed performer and recording artist on classical guitar.

The colors of the culture are green, yellow, blue and white, the colors of the Brazilian flag. The most popular foods are Feijoada, a typical Portuguese bean stew with beef and pork is considered the national dish of Brazil, along with Moqueca de Peixe, a traditional seafood stew that Brazilians have been making for 300 years. Soccer and music create the grestest source of cultural pride. The livelihood in this country comes from developed agricultural, manufacturing and service sectors - and is expanding its presence in world markets.

BrasilFest is presented by Seattle Center in partnership with the Brazil Center, Show Brazil Productions and the Ethnic Heritage Council.