WHEATON, Md. — Brazilian cultural center EducArte invites the community to celebrate Festa Julina, a free outdoor festival in Wheaton featuring live Brazilian music, dance, and family-friendly cultural activities rooted in Brazil’s beloved harvest-time traditions throughout the months of June and July.
This festival is free to the public and will take place at the Marian Fryer Plaza in Wheaton, MD. Performances will feature guest artists Felipe Hostins Trio and Jo Silva, along with forró dance lessons and an instructor-led quadrilha (traditional group dances) designed to welcome participants of all ages and experience levels.
Felipe Hostins Trio brings the vibrant spirit of northeastern Brazilian music to Festa Julina, led by Brazilian-born composer, accordionist, and multi-instrumentalist Felipe Hostins, joined by Dora Flor (percussion/vocals) and Davi Massapê. Hostins has performed at major festivals in Brazil, Portugal, and the United States and is recognized for his collaborations on Cyro Baptista’s CHAMA and the album IMIGRA with Ian Ruas. Dora Flor and Davi Massapê, co-founders of Forró Brooklyn Dance School, will lead a forró dance lesson as well. Joining the musical lineup is Jo Silva, a performer originally from Mato Grosso state in Brazil, specializing in sertanejo and forró. He is a local favorite at Brazilian events here in the DMV area. The event will be emceed by Thauani Oliveira, a content creator, model, and Brazilian business woman based in the DC area.
Planned as a vibrant neighborhood-scale cultural celebration, Festa Julina reflects EducArte’s commitment to uplifting Brazilian and Latin American artists, traditions, and community connections in Wheaton and Montgomery County.
Festivalgoers will also be able to enjoy Brazilian food and shop with local artist and community vendors as part of the event’s neighborhood festival atmosphere, reflecting EducArte’s commitment to uplifting Brazilian and Latin American small businesses, artists, and culture bearers in Montgomery County. Food vendors will include Americas Supermarket / Cantinho Caipira selling traditional Festa Junina foods; By Brazil selling açaí and desserts; Brazilian Place selling salgadinhos; and The Churrasco selling Brazilian barbecue. The festival’s food and vendor area is designed to complement the live music and dance programming with authentic flavors, handmade goods, and opportunities for attendees to connect more deeply with the traditions and creativity that make Festa Julina such a beloved community celebration.
“Festa Junina, Brazil’s second biggest festival after Carnival, is a joyful invitation for the whole community to come together through music, dance, and Brazilian cultural traditions,” said Pablo de Oliveira, Executive Director of EducArte. “We are excited to bring artists, families, and neighbors together in Wheaton for an afternoon of celebration and connection.”
Learn more about the festival at www.educarteinc.org/festajulina.
Acknowledgement: Educarte Incorporated, dba EducArte, is supported in part by funding from the Montgomery County Government and the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County.
