THE 8th ANNUAL QUEEN MARY BRAZILIAN CARNAVAL 2008

Brazilian Carnaval in Los Angeles (now in

its 8th year) occurs on Saturday, February 2, 2008 at the QUEEN MARY in Long Beach, which has sold out three levels with a crowd of 2500+ guests every year for the past four years. This unusual floating celebration and authentic demonstration of Brazilian Carnaval dance,

parading and music occurs on the same day as Brazil’s own Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro and Bahia. This year’s theme is “Preservation of the Planet” featuring green and recycled decorations. At the heart of the 2008 celebration is renowned Bahiana Dandara, musicians performing vibrant and energetic Carnaval beats. The party starts at 8:00 p.m. and features Dandara and Pra Gandaia Band with Marchinhas, Sambas, Frevo, AxÈ music of Bahi(http://www.myspace.com/pragandaia).

Also featured are: Samba Queen Maisa Duke

(http://www.carnaval.com/sf02/maisa.htm); the Samba Show Dancers moving to batucada rhythms in their feather-sequined “barely there” costumes, authentic Brazilian food from Silvio’s Brazilian B.B.Q., real caipirinhas with Ypioca cachaça and Brazilian arts, crafts, Havaianas, fashion, and giveaway souvenirs of Mardi Gras beads, tambourines and shakers. Plus watch Carnaval from Rio de Janeiro aired LIVE on big screens, adding excitement to the largest Carnaval party in Southern California.



Pra Gandaia is an energetic Brazilian music group

fronted by the dynamic singer Dandara. Dandara's

singing career began in her hometown, Salvador, Bahia, considered the soul and heartbeat of Brazil. Her deep, spicy singing voice and her vibrant dance and performance style make her a sensation on stage. Her exceptional range and contagious way of moving, dancing and jumping on the stage has led her to be called the "Brazilian Tina Turner.” Inspired by the rich, sensuous swing of Bahia's rhythms, she has been able to create a mixture of many sources involving rhythms from the Caribbean, Africa, and Cuba. Dandara has traveled across Brazil singing on top of “Trio Eletricos” during Carnaval and in concert halls from São Paulo to Rio. She was the featured vocalist for “Banda Relogio” with whom she recorded two CDs. In 1997 a Salvador radio station and the “A Tarde”

newspaper chose Dandara as the "Nova Revelação" singer and winner of the Dodo and Osmar Award for the best new star of Axé Music. Dandára has shared the stage with the great names of Bahian Carnaval: Carlinhos Brown, Chiclete ...