Park City Performing Arts Foundation Presents DanceBrazil, 3/30

DanceBrazil arrives on The Eccles Center stage with plenty of sizzle, Saturday, March 30. Inspired by the cultural tapestry of Brazil, this gorgeous troupe combines Afro-Brazilian movement, contemporary dance and Capoeira (the traditional dance/martial arts form that had its origins in Africa and evolved in colonial Brazil as a way of fighting enslavement). Performance starts at 7:30 p.m.

Founded in 1977 by Brazilian-born Jelon Viera, the company has grown into an internationally renowned cultural and dance phenomenon. In 1980, Alvin Ailey joined the company's board of directors and helped focus the objectives of the company in order to speak to a broad North American community. The infectious rhythms and daring and dazzling movement premiered at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall in 1985 and have been thrilling audiences around the world ever since.

DanceBrazil's Park City performance will include two pieces: "Banguela," named for a special rhythm played to calm down the capoeiristas when their play in a roda (the circle formed by the capoeiristas and musicians) gets too heated; Banguela presents an opportunity to bring "mandinga" (magic) into play, where opponents attempt to trick each other with fakes, balances, speed and acrobatic movement. "Fé do Sertão," a glimpse into the life, culture and June 24 (St. John) celebration of the communities of Northern Brazil's Sertão region, premieres this season.

In addition to the March 30 main stage show, DanceBrazil is slated to participate in PCPAF's Student Outreach Program.
Park City Performing Arts Foundation presents DanceBrazil on Saturday, March 30 at The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Center for the Performing Arts (1750 Kearns Blvd., Park City). Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $20 to $67 (20-percent discount for seniors, children ages 16 and under are half price; $5 seats are available in the Copper Section for Summit County students in K-12).

Tickets and information are available at The Eccles Center box office, 435-655-3114 or www.ecclescenter.org.