CarnaByron 2019

Known as the biggest, most diverse and multicultural tradition in Brazil, the Carnival is a moment when our people celebrate culture, arts and life. It is a traditional street celebration with characters, costumes, music and dance which moves communities from the North to the South of Brazil, joining people to take part in and keep the tradition of organising this folk and popular feast.

Carna Byron’s purpose is to celebrate Carnival, joining all the cultural and artistic activities from different regions of Brazil which have already been happening in Byron Bay, in a day full of arts, culture and diversity. We are preparing Carna Byron with so much love and dedication. :)

Our intention is to share our music, dance, art and high vibrant energy with the local community in this family based and not-for-profit event. We all are more than welcome to take part in this community celebration!

Have a look at everything that is happening in Byron Bay during the CarnaByron 2019 .


TRADITIONAL MUSIC AND DANCE

// Samba Reggae

Batala Project is an Afro-Brazilian percussion group that plays a rhythm from the state of Bahia, Brazil, known as Samba Reggae. Bringing dance, percussion, fashion design and capoeira, Batala has been spread around the continents since 1997 and, nowadays, it is represented in 35 different cities over the world. In Australia, it was created in 2016, in Byron Bay, as a popular project which unites and empowers the Brazilian community in the area.

Batala Project also help the children who were living on the streets in Brazil as the instruments are made by them through social projects in Bahia.

Batala Byron Bay will guide the closing celebration of CarnaByron Street Parade, at the Main Beach. Let’s join their music, dance and joy!



// Maracatu

Originating in Pernambuco, the NorthEast of Brazil, Maracatu is not only a contagious and energetic rhythm. It is a cultural heritage born out of the times of Colonisation, when Africans were brought from many different countries as slaves into Brazil. This created a melting pot of cultures in the the old town of Olinda.

Hailing from this rich music community in Brazil, the percussion teacher ‘Mestre Anum’ leads Batukanum, a drumming school that performs the traditional rhythm of Maracatu and makes everyone dance from the heart and with a smile on their faces. Mestre Anum and the Batukanum Drumming School will dance, play and walk along the CarnaByron Street Parade.



// Capoeira

Capoeira is a Brazilian-Afro martial-art that combines dance, music and acrobatics. Developed by African slaves in Brazil at the beginning of the 16th century, it was granted a special protected status as "intangible cultural heritage" by UNESCO, in November 2014.

In Byron Bay, Capoeira has been developed by different schools, bringing the wisdom of the Capoeira Master through its practice. At Carna Byron, we will join the diversity of this tradition in a beautiful ‘Capoeira Roda’ at the grass in front of the Clarks Beach.

We will also have a beautiful ‘Capoeira Angola’ presentation, when Prof Vitor Pezao and the Byron Bay Angola Centre - Angola Capoeira capoeiristas’ and students will show the beauty and strength of this martial art/dance tradition so important in the Brazilian culture.



// Samba de Roda

Samba de Roda is an Afro-Brazilian musical rhythm and dance, connected to the Capoeira. It is originally from the state of Bahia, in Brazil, and came from the Semba, a traditional African rhythm. The Samba de Roda was played and danced by the African slaves in Brazil, as a celebration of life, and it is still passed through generations as a cultural tradition.

In Byron Bay, it has been shared with the community by the feminine musical group ‘Meninas da Lua’, by the ‘Byron Bay Angola Centre - Angola Capoeira’ and Brazilian musicians. At Carna Byron, this manifestation of our culture will be brought with all its elements in a big ‘Roda’, which means ‘Circle’ in English. Come and dance in the Samba de Roda with us! No experience needed, just willingness to try something different and have fun.



// Bloco de Carnaval

The popular “Bloquinhos de Carnaval’ are a very traditional way to celebrate Carnival in the neighborhoods, districts and countrysides. It is a gathering of ‘bateria’ (musicians) and ‘foliões’ (everybody, generally in costume) to dance and sing Carnival’s music, specially the ‘Marchinhas de Carnaval’.

‘Bloco do Discovery’ (Discovery Blockparty) is a blockparty formed by Brazilian musicians living in Byron Bay for the CarnaByron Street Parade and will take you to a magic ride through good music, dancing and grooves.



// Aruanda Collective

Aruanda, a collective from Byron Bay, Australia with the intention to create together gatherings, workshops and events where we can express and put in practice ideas and talents such as: performances, music, nourish food, workshops and so on. Aruanda will be represented by Salve Jorge DJ, a Brazilian DJ living in Byron Area who brings Brazilian spirit into his sets.



// Radio Cigana

Based in Byron Bay and originating from Brazil, Radio Cigana has its core influences in Jamaican roots reggae music and Brazilian African roots rhythms. Radio Cigana delivers an energetic and uplifting performance, showcasing their original tunes and songs from quality reggae artists like Dennis Brown, Bob Marley, Gregory Isaacs, Gaia Piá, Diamba, Nação Zumbi etc. 
Igor: guitar + vocals, Camile: percussion + vocals, Léo A: bass, Léo B: keys, Vlad: drums.



// Picnic

A community picnic will be set for everybody to share their preferred finger food from Brazil, Australia or any party of the world. Bring something to share!


// Face Painting

Face painting for all ages! Yes! If you are a face painter and want to be part of it volunteering a few hours to CarnaByron, please, let us know through our facebook page or sending a message to: [email redacted]. <3


// Carnival’s Fantasy Costume Contest

Prizes for the most creative Carnival's costumes are going to be giving as a way to stimulate people to let the Carnival spirit to come in but specially to share a very joyful kind of contest that traditionally happens in Brazil.


// Kids Activities

Carnaval is a celebration for the whole family. To bring the color and the alive spirit of this popular street party, children are more than welcome and we are preparing a series of activities, including face painting, costumes and props making and Brazilian popular games and ‘cantigas’ (popular little songs) to involve the kids and expand the brightness of the celebration.


PROJECT COSTS

Carna Byron program looks amazing, doesn’t it?
We are really excited to share our art, music, dance and joy with the community and bring everyone together in a high vibrant energy!

However, in order to bring this magic to the Byron Bay community, we have some costs. As it is a not-for-profit event, the costs are in order to run the event and also to give a contribution groups, that have several costs to develop their activities in Byron Area, including bringing traditional instruments, costumes and props from Brazil to Byron Bay.  

Administrative costs: 800
Contribution for the groups and artists: 1200
Structure: 500
Logistics: 200
Marketing: 400
Audiovisual: 300
Volunteers food: 300

Your contribution is really important to make this first Brazilian Street Parade in the history of Byron Bay to happen.

Come and be part of this magical event. We need you because YOU will make CarnaByron to happen!  

Contribute and help us to make this dream come true!
'Sonho que se sonha junto é realidade!'