[cincopa AsOA4gaHyRLG]The 19th Annual San Diego Brazilian Mardi Gras Carnival was a spectacular event full of hot samba beats, sexy dancers, beautiful costumes, and breath taking Capoeira performers. The Carnival which was held on Saturday March 5th, at 4th & B Live Music Venue near San Diego’s Historic Gaslamp District, is one of the largest Mardi Gras Balls on the west coast.
The event started with a literal Bang as the first drum line took to the dance floor. The samba beats and scantily dressed dancers entranced the crowd immediately. The rest of the show was an endless parade of gorgeous feather clad dancers, skillful dance troupes, amazing acrobats, and sizzling drummers. While the feathered female dancer provided plenty of eye candy for the men in the audience, the African Dance and Drum Troupe’s sculpted shirtless male dancers spent quite a while on stage flexing for all the ladies in the house. This high energy show is a thrill to attend and participate in. Looking around the crowd at the height of the event it seemed no one there was immune to moving to the hypnotic beat.
This action packed party kicks off San Diego’s bustling Mardi Gras Season. While other events in town tend to be more ‘French’ New Orleans style Mardi Gras affairs, the Carnival holds true to it’s Brazilian traditions. If you are looking for a drink special on Hurricanes, I am afraid you will be disappointed. Try a Caipirinha instead, it’s Brazil’s national cocktail, made with cachaça (rum distilled from sugarcane juice), sugar and lime. VIPs in the reserved seating section were treated to traditional Brazilian Fare including Cassava (deep fried yucca), and Caruru (okra, onion, dried shrimp and toasted nuts cooked with palm oil), among other delicacies. It may not be in Rio, but San Diego’s Brazilian Carnival with it’s rich history and traditions makes you feel like it is! If you are looking for the hottest way to kick off your Mardi Gras week, this event is a must attend, make sure it’s on your calendar for next year.
Photos courtesy of Patricia Mcmillian[cincopa AsOA4gaHyRLG]
Here is a video we found online that captures the event! Enjoy!