Back for the ninth year, Brazilica has become one of the flagship events of the year in Liverpool’s festival calendar. A colourful celebration of Brazilian music, dance, culture, food and sport, it attracts over 60,000 visitors to the city centre.
Organisers Liverpool Carnival Company have turned up the heat for 2016 with this year’s festival promising to be even bigger and better for 2016.
The Brazilian Film Festival will return with a fantastic programme of movies from 9th July – 6thAugust with various locations through the city showing nine films celebrating Brazilian life and culture, from biographies and documentaries to comedy and drama. Most are free to attend.
Visiting artist Ananda Nahu from Juazeiro Bahia will be showing her vibrant portraits of African women and music symbols at the old bath site on Lodge Lane from 12-14th July.
Meanwhile, award-winning wildlife photographer, Joao Marcos Rose, will be exhibiting his incredible images of biodiversity and conservation at St George’s Hall from 12-18th July.
Samba dancers across the UK will compete for the coveted crown in the Carnival Queen Competition at PanAm at the Albert Dock on Friday, 15th July from 9pm. Last year’s winner Mel will hand over the crown to the lucky Carnival Queen for 2016 as chosen by visiting guest judges, followed by an explosive samba finale.
The sound of Brazilian beats will be heard in the city on Saturday, 16th and Sunday, 17th July from 1-4pm with street performances on Church Street and Clayton Square from visiting Brazilica samba bands.
But the hub of the action will take place in the city’s Commercial District for the first time ever on Saturday, 16th July, in conjunction with the Liverpool BID Company. The new site for the Brazilica Main Stage is Derby Square by the Liverpool Law Courts and Victoria Statue which will be transformed into a sizzling hotbed of colourful carnival action.
From midday until 10pm, there will be Brazilian bands and DJs playing samba, funk, gafieira, and bossa nova, as well as samba dance shows throughout the day. Bands on stage will include Tribo de Gafieira, Afrosamba, Winnie Nogueira Band, Morro 16, Oye Batacuda and Samba Masala.
Bring the family and enjoy the atmosphere. You can sample Brazilian food, caipirinhas and Brazilian beer from the stalls around the square.
The festival’s highlight will undoubtedly be the spectacular night-time Carnival Parade which will began at 8pm featuring Samba bands from across the UK and overseas. Thousands of people line the route which makes its way from Abercromby Square through the city centre streets to Church Street.
The festival fun will continue with an After Party at The Arts Club on Seel Street, home of Circus and Chibuku, hosted by carnival DJs with live performances from visiting samba bands from 10pm until 4am. Entry £5.
For more info about this years Brazilica Fest visit the official website here.Â
