Seattle Center Festál: BrasilFest Set for Today, 8/5

Seattle Center Festál: BrasilFest, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., today, Aug. 5, at Seattle Center Armory/Center House and Mural Amphitheatre, explores the cultural roots and contemporary influences of Brazil through performance, cultural displays, foods, children's activities, and a lively marketplace.

Learn how Brazilians celebrate Carnaval. March in a colorful parade, behold giant puppets, dance, sing, eat and be amazed. BrasilFest fills Seattle Center with a sultry display of South American soul, Brazilian style, and celebrates the cultural diversity of this dynamic country through live music, contemporary Brazilian film, and hands-on activities.

The focus of BrasilFest 2012 is Olinda, the capital of Recife in Brazil, one of the largest complexes of colonial architecture in Brazil. Olinda is famous for its Parade of the Giant Puppets. In partnership with the Burke Museum, BrasilFest will exhibit two 18-foot tall dolls at the Armory.

The festival also features a Brazilian music style called Chorinho, meaning "little cry." Characterized by fast rhythm, virtuosity and improvisation, the style originated in Rio de Janeiro during the 19th century. Chorinho is considered Brazil's earliest urban popular music. BrasilFest features ChoroLoco and  Choro Tocando, both performing Chorinho, at Olinda Stage (Armory/Center House); and showcases from Portland, OR z'Bumba and MaracaBOOM, both in the musical traditions of Northeastern Brazil.

The 20 Seattle Center Festál cultural celebrations highlight The Common forms of tradition and expression among ethnic communities in the Pacific Northwest, while underscoring their unique creative contributions, customs, foods and ideals. Each event offers moving entertainment and fascinating insight into a different culture of the world.

BrasilFest is part of The Next Fifty at Seattle Center in 2012. The Festival is produced by Brazil Center, Show Brazil Productions and the Ethnic Heritage Council in partnership with Seattle Center. For a full event schedule, visitwww.brasilfest.com, and for more information on this cultural series and other Seattle Center public programs, click onwww.seattlecenter.com.