Times Square looked different on Saturday, November 19. Amid tourists from around the world, it turned green and yellow. Brazilians filled the most famous block in the world to watch a free show by Henrique and Juliano. The sertanejo duo, in partnership with BR Day, came to the capital of the world to record part of their newest DVD.
The project called “To Be” started in Brasília, where the brothers recorded the first part of their eighth DVD. The most ambitious part, however, was to record the second part abroad and capture the largest gathering of Brazilians outside the country for a DVD recording.
And they succeeded! The Brazilian community in New York and nearby cities not only filled Times Square but also followed the duo through their biggest hits.
The historic milestone for Henrique and Juliano – becoming the first Brazilian artists to record a DVD in the heart of New York – was achieved thanks to a partnership with João de Matos / BR Day. The businessman and his team, who have been closing Sixth Avenue and 46th Street for three decades to celebrate Brazilian music and culture at the largest Brazilian event abroad, were part of the production 
of the show, as well as facilitating the legal aspects with the city.
João, who agreed to be part of the second part of the “To Be” project thinking about the joy he could bring to the Brazilian community, was pleased with the project’s outcome.
“The number of people from all corners of the United States was so great that just before the show started, 7th Avenue, the main artery of Times Square, was completely blocked from 41st Street to 56th. And all the cross streets from 43rd to 48th were also blocked,” the businessman recounts. “There were so many people that the mayor of New York called the NYPD (city police) to find out what was happening in Times Square,” he added.
The chief of police asked João de Matos to please end the show by 6 PM. But with the good old Brazilian way and all his experience in organizing shows in the capital of the world, João negotiated and managed to extend the show until 6:20 PM. It was, therefore, an hour and a half of show, with absolutely no confusion.
Before the show started, João asked those present to remain calm and respectful towards each other and to enjoy the gift that Henrique and Juliano were giving them in the best possible way.
The audience listened, and success was guaranteed.
“Everything went 100%, no one was detained (Times Square normally has an average of 10 people detained per day). Not only was the community happy, but also the city authorities and local merchants, who unexpectedly had their establishments packed and with waiting lines,” concluded the businessman.