Can’t make it to Brazil for Independence Day on September 7th? Then we recommend heading to the Big Apple on Sunday, September 2nd, for Brazilian Day In New York: America’s version of the annual holiday and the biggest Brazilian cultural event in the U.S. Celebrate 196 years of independence in style with plenty of Brazilian culture, cuisine, and, of course, music.
by Sean Chaffin
This year’s Brazil Day marks the event’s 34th anniversary, which is held each year on the Sunday before Labor Day. People from all over the world head to New York City to celebrate all things Brazil. As many as 1 million Brazilians live in the U.S. Ironically, some of those in attendance even make the trip from Brazil!
“Brazilians from far and wide get together from different parts of the world, many coming from Brazil just to attend the festival,” the official Brazilian Day website notes. “They show their pride and love for their culture. A culture that is so rich in life, music, good food, good friends and good times!”
What’s a trip to the festival like? First, it’s nice to dress the part. Order the official T-shirt on the website or sport your own green, white, and yellow attire. Next, head to West 46th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues, also known as Little Brazil and where all the action takes place – 25 blocks of fun. You’ll quickly notice green, yellow, and Brazilian flags everywhere. You’re in the right spot.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
You Might Also Like:
- Brazilian Independence Day: 15 Things To Know
- Brazilians Speak Portuguese. Here’s Why
- 10 Questions with Brazilian Jazz keyboardist Marcos Ariel
- Take A Brazilian Break With Our 10 Brazilian Music Streams
- True Story: Traveling On Brazilian Time
- Here’s Bossa Nova’s Most Important Book
_____________________________________________________________________________________
By midday, there is a real hustle and bustle as about up to a million people flood the streets. Check out the vendors hawking everything from food and drinks to face painting as samba drum and musician groups stroll by. Get in the act and join the partiers dancing in the streets. Worked up an appetite? Grab a drink and some street food.
Another good idea, find a nice spot where the stage as visible as there will be plenty of great acts to please any Brazilian music fan. Here’s a look at who will grace the stage for Brazilian Day in New York this year:
- Matheus & Kauan – A Brazilian “sertaneja” duo from Goiás state. Sertaneja is Brazilian country music.
- Os Paralamas do Sucesso – The is late-1970s Brazilian reggae rock band from Seropédica in Rio de Janeiro state.
- Eduarda Brasil – A 15-year old forró singer from Cajazeiras in Paraíba state. He was the winner of the third season of “The Voice Kids,” a Globo TV talent show.
- MC Koringa – A Brazilian funk singer whose hit songs are regularly heard on soundtracks for Brazilian telenovelas.
- Toni Garrido – Lead singer of Cidade Negra, a Brazilian reggae band.
While Brazil is certainly the theme, other acts make it on the schedule occasionally. The Village People even performed in 2012. Apparently, Brazilians love the YMCA too, at least when it’s part of Brazilian Day in New York.
An Editor and Senior Writer at Connectbrazil.com, Sean Chaffin is also a freelance writer based in Crandall, Texas. With his well-known passion for poker and cigars, Sean would love to be dealt in whenever the World Series of Poker makes its way to Rio de Janeiro.
