Arts Participation Initiative - Brazil Center

The lively world of Brazilian arts and culture filled Seattle Center with a sultry display of South American soul, Brazilian style. This one-day extravaganza offered continuous music, dance, workshops and performance that represent a broad repertoire of traditional and contemporary Brazilian expressions as well as traditional folkloric performers. Featuring all that this exuberant and vivid culture has to offer, from Capoeira demonstrations and workshops for all ages (Brazilian martial arts), Samba workshops, children's activities (mask-making, painting), Brazilian instruments, arts and crafts, photo exhibits and films. BrasilFest celebrations Brazilian culture in Washington State - adapted from Brasil Fest's website.

Greeters during BrasilFest gave out programs and bracelets during the festival at the Seattle Center.

BrasilFest is an annual event sponsored by Brazil Center and Show Brazil, in association with Ethnic Heritage Council and Seattle Center.

Eduardo Mendonça is the Executive Director of Brazil Center and Show Brazil. An excerpt from his bio reads, “Multi talented Brazilian recording artist, percussionist, guitarist, vocalist and composer, is a native of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Mendonça traces his lineage to a royal African family ... Mendonça received his B.A. in Arts Education at the Instituto de Música de Universidade Católica do Salvador.” He has also performed for Nelson Mandela and Pope John Paul II. Eduardo has a beaming smile and radiates positive energy. During the day he performed several times.

BrasilFest is a both a celebration for people with Brazilian roots and a chance to share their culture with the public. The program defines itself as the Southeastern Region of Brazil. The Seattle Center (former site for 1962 World Fair) is an active place with multiple entrances and a multitude of other activities that bring people to visit. BrasilFest took place at the Center House, Mural Amphitheater, and the Fisher Pavilion – all in close proximity to each other on the Seattle Center grounds.

BrasilFest was easy to find. Yellow and green displays outside, music from the Amphitheater stage filling the air, and two beautiful female greeters let everyone know they were welcome to join. The greeters, handing out programs from baskets and bracelets, acted as ambassadors for BrasilFest. Signs encouraged people to volunteer and envelopes were also available to donate money. Booths with food, gifts and information near the outdoor stage provided additional activity. Feijoada, the Brazilian national dish, was popular and many people were waiting in line to have the plate of sausage, beans, greens and rice. Some people attending were wearing yellow and green and appeared to be planning to stay until the evening parade.

Inside the Center House BrasilFest continued. The stage had ongoing performances, an art exhibit, craft activities, lectures and films. The Center House has the restaurants for the Seattle Center. So while listening to beautiful music, you could enjoy a variety of foods, coffee, and candy.

In and outside the Fisher Pavilion opportunities to see or learn Brazilian movement and music were available. Workshops in Capoeira, dance and a percussion technique were offered throughout the day. Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art and was accompanied by live music. The music is mesmerizing and the movements are dance-like because they do not make contact with each other as in many martial art forms. The workshops were well attended by a variety of people.

The beauty of the Seattle Center is that it is a center. People from Seattle frequent the venues, tourists visit the attractions and its an enjoyable place to spend the day. Since it is a free and open event people are able to participate on many levels. The opportunity to see a variety of excellent performers, learn more about Brazil, eat good food and hang out on a green lawn listening to music on a warm August day is great. BrasilFest brought what they promised – the lively world of Brazilian arts and culture.

Background Information:
Brazil Center was added as a grantee to the Arts Participation Initiative this year. During the initial panel selection the applicants were ranked. At the end of the Washington State Arts Commission fiscal year, money was found in the budget for the API Grant Fiscal Year 2007 (FY 2007). The three highest ranked groups that were previously unfunded in the API Grant were added to the API Group.

During the 2006 Cultural Congress, which took place in April in Leavenworth, Washington, I attended a panel discussion Cultural Gatherings: As Our Ethnic Communities Change, How Do Our Cultural Gatherings Evolve? Moderated by Orit Sarfaty and Steve Sneed (Steve is a Commissioner for the Washington State Arts Commission). Panelist included Eduardo Mendonça, Alma Plancich of the Ethnic Heritage Council and Vivian Chan from Wing Luke Museum. Eduardo Mendonça, Executive Director of Brazil Center, was one of the panelists in this discussion. Their discussion gave me insight into the history Seattle Center's Festál and Eduardo's thought process of BrasilFest.

Festál is produced by the Seattle Center, individual cultural organizations and the Ethnic Heritage Council. The Seattle Center does not decide what cultural groups are to be included, the decision relies on the cultural communities desire to present and if they have the capability to plan and oversee the event. Each presenting group decides whether or not to incorporate lectures, art, films, workshops, crafts, music, and dance. Some groups chose not to make a public presentation at the Seattle Center, opting for a more intimate / less public celebration at a place of worship or other center. For other groups they want to educate and share their culture with people from other ethnic groups and Festál at the Seattle Center is a great opportunity.

Seattle Center's Festál is a year-long series of world cultural events that honors the richness and diversity of our region. Festál plays a vital part of Seattle Center's role in connecting our dynamic and varied community.

Eduardo talked in depth about the thought process that goes into sharing culture. He wants to make sure that BrasilFest represents authentic Brazilian culture. He wants the experience to be authentic so that as people share what they learned they are sharing true Brazilian culture. Brazil is much like the United States with many immigrant groups. Though he is looked in the US as a Brazilian-American, in Brazil he is African-Brazilian. Eduardo does not make a big distinction about the country of origin of those involved in the BrasilFest but that what they know and present is authentic.

The collaborative efforts between the presenting groups, Seattle Center and the Ethnic Heritage Council is a successful way to share the rich diversity in our area in a free and open venue.

Site visit and photos by Saya Moriyasu, August 2006.

^