Viva Brasil! Carnival Party lit up Creative Alliance on Saturday, February 28, and it felt so good to be back in Highlandtown sharing Brazilian Carnival with all of you. From the first drum hits to the last singalong, the room was full of color, rhythm, and genuine community energy.
This year, we brought Carnival from several corners of Brazil—samba pagode and carnival samba from Rio de Janeiro, axé from Salvador, and frevo from Recife—all in one joyful night. Our highlight reel shows these different moments, from the relaxed swing of pagode to the explosive energy of frevo and the big, collective Carnival anthems.
Pablo Regis and the Sarau de Samba band set the tone with a true samba experience that invited everyone to sing, clap, and sway along together. Bateria director André Coelho led our Bateria EducArte with powerful, driving rhythms that turned the theater into something that felt like a Rio street bloco.
Rose Moraes brought her rich voice and deep connection to Brazilian music, adding warmth and soul to the evening. Samba dancer Mariana Triginelli lit up the floor with elegant, high-energy samba, helping both newcomers and seasoned dancers feel at home in the Carnival spirit. DJ Babilous brought new nostalgic Brazilian hits that got everyone dancing in unison!
What we love most about Viva Brasil! is how people show up ready to participate—families, long-time samba lovers, and folks discovering Brazilian culture for the first time all dancing side by side. Your presence, your outfits, and your willingness to jump in turned Creative Alliance into a little piece of Brazil for one night.
We’re already looking forward to doing it all again next year. Thank you to everyone who came, cheered, danced, and brought such great energy—you help keep Afro-Brazilian culture alive and thriving in the Baltimore–DC region.