BRAZILICA is Back With A Bang - Carnival Returns For 10th Year With Official Launch At Camp And Furnace

As the country prepares for a heatwave this weekend, the beats were sizzling to the samba beat last night as Brazilica officially launched it's 2017 carnival at Camp and Furnace.

Hosted by Ellie Philips, guests got in to the carnival spirit and were treated to a sample of what they can expect when the UK's biggest Brazilian Samba Carnival bursts back in to the city from 14 - 16 July.

Liverpool's movers and shakers sipped Caipirinhas, Brazilians national cocktail, whilst enjoying the sounds from Afrosamba who provided an eclectic mix of Brazilian rhythms, energetic riffs and soulful vocals!

Demonstrating their best moves, samba dancers strutted their stuff in their breathtakingly colourful and flamboyant costumes.

Rounding off the evening Liverpool Samba School got the beats going with their energetic finale, showcasing exactly what crowds can expect during the main carnival parade.

The night also provided guests the chance to pick up the new festival brochure hot-off-the-press! The brochure gives details of this year's programme of events which include a film festival and fringe events packed with great music and exciting activities in venues across the city.

Back celebrating its 10th year, Brazilica returns for 2017 in a brand-new location with organisers Liverpool Carnival Company recently announcing The Pier Head as its new home for 2017.

Brazilica has become one of the flagship events of the year in Liverpool's festival calendar. A colourful celebration of Brazilian music, dance, culture, food and sport, it attracts over 60,000 visitors to the city centre, and organisers have lots in store to celebrate their 10th anniversary year.

The Brazilian Film Festival will return with a fantastic programme of movies from Wed 28 June - Fri 28 July, with 10 movies being screened showcasing the best of Brazilian cinema. Taking place at various locations, all films are free to attend and offers something for all the family to enjoy.

The Carnival Queen Competition will also return for 2017, taking place in Pan Am at Albert Dock on Fri 14 July. Samba dancers from across the UK will compete for the coveted crown as they perform their most glittering routines in stunning costumes of only the brightest colours. Last year's winner Paris will hand over the crown to the lucky Carnival Queen for 2017 as chosen by visiting guest judges, followed by an explosive samba finale and special guest appearance from Aleh Ferreira.

Be sure to get down to the The Pier Head Village on Sat 15 July which will house the Brazilica Main Stage programme and will transform the Pier Head into a sizzling hotbed of carnival action offering a colourful celebration of the sights, sounds and tastes of Brazilian culture.

10-piece Brazilian Afrobeat band Bixiga 70 from São Paulo have added Brazilica to their European tour dates and will be performing at the Pier Head Village stage on Sat 15th July.

The spectacular night-time Carnival Parade which features Samba bands from across the UK and overseas will remain the main festival highlight on the Saturday night, thousands of people line the route which makes its way from Abercrombie Square through the city centre streets before coming to a colourful conclusion in Williamson Square.

The samba party will then be continuing until the early hours with the official Brazilica After Party taking place at Camp and Furnace on Sat 15 July from 10pm - 4am which will feature carnival DJ's and live music. Entry £5.

Maeve Morris, festival director, said: "It's carnival time once again. This year is going to be really special, as Brazilica celebrates 10 incredible years! We have a fantastic programme for 2017 with returning favourites such as the Film Festival which is back for the 3rd year plus some new additions like our Carnival Costume Exhibition at the International Slavery Museum."

"As ever we have a huge line-up performing on the main stage and also in our night time carnival parade on Saturday 15h July, which promises to be our biggest year yet!"

This year's Brazilica Festival is guaranteed to be a real scorcher so make sure you join the party!

For details of the full Brazilica 2017 programme be sure to check out the Brochure: http://bit.ly/2tuw3LF

Keep up to date with all Brazilica Festival activity at:

www.brazilicafestival.com

www.facebook.com/brazilicafestival

Twitter - @BrazilicaFest

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