Live Performance Proposal 2014

Name of Group:

Maria Bonita & The Band

Contact Person:

Alex Bordokas

E-mail/phone#:

+1 647-293-2266 - info@umanota.ca

ARTS DISCIPLINE:

Live Music Performance

PRESENTATION:

Full-length show and Dance Workshop

Maria Bonita & The Band Website:www.mariabonitaband.coma

Questions?Provide an artistic description of the work you are propos-ing to present at the event. Maria Bonita and the Band perform a style of music called forró. Originating from Brazil’s arid northeast, forró is a regional dance and music rooted in African and European traditions. With its soulful mix of voices, percussion, flute, Brazilian fiddle and bass, this music has become the craze of a nation, sweeping across Brazil’s cultural landscape and inspiring audiences around the world. Forró is rhythmic and energetic, as well as sensual and melodic. Maria Bonita and the Band present this beautiful music with vivacity and excitement, bringing the sounds and rhythms of northeastern Brazil straight to your backyard.

Provide an estimated duration of your work? A full-length show is 1 hour and 20 minutes long. We can easily adapt the length of the show to fit the needs of the performance situation.2

Tell us briefly why the event is an appropriate venue for your work or how your work fits the venue mandate. Canada and Brazil have growing cultural connections and relationships. This is visible in the cultural manifestations of capoeira, maracatu, samba and contemporary Brazilian dance in cities such as Toronto and Montreal. Maria Bonita and the Band believe in the importance of international cultural exchanges. Music is one of the most accessible ways to foster this sort of exchange and this is especially relevant in a festival environment. Tell us about who is involved? Maria Bonita and the Band is a group of Canadian and Brazilian musicians based in Toronto. The group’s common goal is to create a cultural exchange between the musicians and the general public. The members of the band include Kelly Lefaive [Brazilian fiddle (Rabeca)/ Vocals]], Jerusa Leão [Tambourine (Pandeiro)/Lead vocals], Amy Medvick [Flute/Vo-cals], Kelsey McNulty [Accordion/ Vocals], RJ Satchithananthan [Bass], Rodrigo Calabria [Percussion/Zabumba drum].

5Describe your ideas for promotion, and mention how you currently promote you event?Currently Maria Bonita and the Band have a solid following on social media websites such as Facebook and YouTube. We always use these sites to promote upcoming shows and events to encourage our fan base to come out and support our music.

What is your overall budget, including your artists’ fees? Minimum purchase Prices listed are all presumed on a minimum purchase at the total amount of $2,500. Discount could be offered depending on the final purchase confirmation. *This does not include cost of transportation, accommodation and food.

Have you presented this work previously, and if so when/where?Maria Bonita and the Band have been active since 2011. The group has performed in several local Toronto venues such as the Dakota Tavern, Gladstone Hotel and Great Hall. We have regularly performed as part of festivals and events put on by the Fedora Upside Down collective. Other performances have included a workshop at Massey Hall for the Share the Music Foundation, the Small World Music Festival at Lula Lounge, Expressions of Brazil Festival at the Harbourfront Centre and Toronto’s Brazilfest.

Who is your intended audience? Maria Bonita and the Band’s intended audience are the peo-ple who love musical exchanges between different cultures.

Are there unions, organizations, collectives, etc. that you believe may be interested in co-presenting your work?Fedora Upside Down, Ave! Maria Forró Nights!, Opa! Nite, Big Village and PSK Collective Day.

dCultural Exchange between nations:

Embracing cultural and ethnic diversity is a key characteristic of Canadian society. As a group, Maria Bonita and the Band strive to encourage cross-cultural dialogues within the community by engaging people with their art. When Maria Bonita and the Band perform, they do so with passion, energy and skill with the goal of provoking a meaningful and powerful interaction with the audience that promotes a cultural connection.

,Maria Bonita > Afe Maria Nights!@Dakota

Tavern, Toronto

Maria Bonita and the Band has an upcoming exciting project called the Afe Maria Project. This project will be a monthly residency during 2014. It will feature nights of music and dance that celebrate the roots of forró music.

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MPERFORMANCES OF MARIA

BONITA >

Maria Bonita and the Band performs with a fun and positive energy that captivates audiences. For old and young alike, forró music is irresistible and the dance floor is always full of happy listeners.

HCULTURAL EXCHANGE EXPERI-ENCES >

The forró musical style is influenced by music from all over the world. It draws a lot from African rhythms. The instruments and melodies are heavily influenced by those of European countries such as Ireland, Germany and Scotland.

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v© Maria Bonita & The Band 2014 All rights reserved.