“Brazil by Night” a Brazilian-themed evening of live music, world-class dance, cocktails and food, will light up the Collage Dance Center on April 9.
The Collage Dance Collective and Iris Orchestra will host the evening experience, which is set for 7 p.m. at the new Collage Dance Center, 505 Tillman Street in Binghampton.
Attendees will be treated to an authentic Brazilian feast by Carson Rodizio, along with performances by Collage’s professional ballet company and the Iris Artist Fellows. Bossa Nova melodies by songstress Deborah Swiney and a samba party will round out the night of international culture and art.
Iris Artist Fellow Pedro Maia and Collage dancer Fábio Mariano are among the Brazilian artists that the Collage Dance Collective and Iris Orchestra are bringing together for the co-curated, community-centered event.
“Brazil by Night” is designed as a celebration of the diverse professional artists each organization engages in a way that also resonates with the richly diverse communities they serve.
“Music and dance are one of the most perfect pairings, so collaborating with Iris Orchestra was a no-brainer for us,” said Marcellus Harper, Collage Dance executive director.
“It has been an honor to work alongside the Iris team to build a program that both celebrates the vibrant cultural diversity of our company artists and expands the reach of classical arts.”
Collage Dance Collective is the largest Black-led ballet company in the South. Its mission reflects a commitment “to inspiring the growth and diversity of ballet by showcasing a repertoire of relevant choreography and world-class dancers.”
Iris Orchestra’s mission is to “serve the community with the gift of exceptional music through performance, education, and community engagement.”
Violinist Pedro Maia, a 2021-22 Iris Artist Fellow, said of “Brazil by Night,” “We wanted to give Memphis a taste of something new and unique like only these two organizations could pull together, yet authentic to the name, and working with other artists to create this perfect moment has been an artistic highlight for me for sure.”
The event will feature a cash bar. Onsite parking is free.
For tickets, which are $75, visit https://bit.ly/3uFl1En.
The buzz about Brazil by Night has stimulated plans for Brazil by Day, a free Community Day event at Crosstown on May 14. Additional partners will include Crosstown Arts and Carpenter Art Garden. Details are pending.
