The Brazilian theater company Group Dot BR and House of Yes is pleased to announce Opa! São João, a taste of the Brazilian Festas Juninas, also known as Festas de São João (June Festivals/Saint John’s Festivals). The all-day event will take place on Sunday, June 12 from 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM at House of Yes (2 Wyckoff Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11237). Tickets range from $20 to $35 and are available at www.group.br.com/opasaojoao.
The eight-hour party will feature live music with Forró in the Dark and Mambembé, and DJs Greg Caz, Victoria Mussi, Gaspar Muniz, and Tietta will spin the best Brazilian beats.
The event will also include traditional food and drink from Andrea’s Brazilian Homemade Goods, Mari Tamiozzy Vegan Chef, and Yubakery. Performances by Group Dot BR will feature the character Santo Antônio urgently seeking people to marry – with at least 20-30 couples expected to attend, a pregnant bride (Debora Balardini) in search of a husband and father for her child, the bird Sabiá (Andressa Furletti) warning people when rain is coming so they can plant in time for an abundant harvest for the Festas Juninas, and watch out for the Roman goddess Juno (Yasmin Santana), who is infiltrating the party claiming the festivities were stolen from her.
Partygoers will be treated to the magical dance of Bumba-meu-boi, a traditional myth from Brazil’s Northeast involving a puppet bull. Sabrina Evangelista will offer a quick course on how to dance Forró, a ballroom dance that originated in Brazil’s Northeast in the late 19th century.
Brazilian visual arts will be showcased by Urban Art Revolution, a hub for original paintings and contemporary art prints. There will be street art from well-known Brazilian artists such as Paulo Govea, Mundano, Kobra, Ferrara, Mag Magrela, Rita Ximenes, among others. As an additional surprise, young artists (ages 9-15) will present artworks inspired by the richness of Brazilian Juninas celebrations from their own perspective.
And that’s not all; there will be games, fashion by LagLagLou, a costume station with makeup by Luísa Galatti, and of course, a fun quadrilha.
A true Brazilian celebration, the Festas Juninas take place throughout June and part of July, showcasing native music, dance, food, and art. According to Artistic Director Andressa Furietti, with Opa! São João “we want to give party attendees a taste of these festivities and help people learn more about this important celebration of Brazilian culture.”
Link to the teaser: youtu.be/REA2E7SR5Wc;
Videos from the 2019 Festa Junina:
Opa! São João is on Sunday, June 12 from 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM at House of Yes (2 Wyckoff Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11237).
Tickets range from $20 to $35 and are available at www.group.br.com/opasaojoao. Children accompanied by parents or legal guardians are welcome from 3 PM to 6 PM. Free admission for children under 12 years old. 21+ after 6 PM.
Duration: 8 hours