2015 IDA AWARDS: EVENTS AND PROGRAMMING
3rd ANNUAL “BRAZILIAN BEAT”
2-Page Summary
OVERVIEW: Downtown Boca’s signature annual event, Brazilian Beat,brings together the art of music and dance with the cultural celebration of Brazil and its Independence Day. 11,000+ visitors from Boca Raton and across South Florida descended into the heart of Downtown Boca –Sanborn Square and the Pedestrian Promenade – enjoying the entertainment and driving business traffic. The event has emerged as a successful example of the goals of the Boca Raton CRA and the vision fordowntown – where residents, businesses and visitors unite in a vibrant and happening destination, celebrating culture and spirit that is very much part of our community.
Brazilian Beat is Boca Raton’s official festival for Brazil’s Independence Day, which celebrates pride in country, passionate patriotism and cultural identity. The idea for the Brazilian Beat event stemmed from 2 areas. First, the goal of the Boca Raton CRA to position Downtown Boca as a relevant, vibrant, and happening destination, attracting visitors from Boca and beyond. The CRA realized that a signature event held in the downtown area could meet this goal and provide excitement for our community and support of our businesses. Downtown Boca worked diligently to identify the type of event that would best accomplish this. Second, recognizing the cultural diversity of Boca Raton and the surrounding area. More than half of the 25 U.S. communities with a high percentage of people of Brazilian ancestry are in South Florida, that’s over 300,000 Brazilians that call this region home. Together, the CRA saw an opportunity to create something unique that celebrated cultural diversity, that appealed to both a local and visitor population, and that showcased Downtown Boca as an engaging destination. We succeeded. In its third year, Brazilian Beat 2014 attracted the most visitors since its inception, 11,000+ event goers who came to enjoy Brazilian music, dance, and cuisine and to celebrate the country’s Independence Day.
Attendees to the 2014 Brazilian Beat were treated to an electrifying cultural experience like no other. In one jam-packed evening, event goers enjoyed genuine Brazilian entertainment: Zumba and Samba showcases, Capoeira dancers, carnival dancers and drummers, and delicious Brazilian fare. The main stage musical line-up included Brazil’s own musical treasure, BossaCucoNova, famous for their irresistible fusion of the electro-bass nova with the danceable, sultry samba synonymous with the culture of the country. Also headlining was the Rose Max Samba Band, whose leader is an award-winning singer known for her bossa nova and samba classics. Boca Raton and Downtown Boca, were able to create a memorable and true Brazilian Independence Day celebration that could rival similar events in NYC, LA or Boston.
In addition to being a wonderful cultural event for our residents and visitors, Brazilian Beat also boosts our local economy. Many businesses call Downtown Boca home, including shops, galleries, restaurants, bars, salons and more. Large scale events like Brazilian Beat increase business foot traffic, same day sales, return visitors and brand recognition. Continued feedback from our downtown businesses has reinforced what we knew would be beneficial to the community economy. Brazilian Beat is one of Boca Raton’s largest events and with it came thousands of consumers who were ready to spend before, during and after the event. They will have lunch before the evening event, they’ll shop for apparel and gifts while walking the promenade area, and they’ll stop for late-night drinks when the event finally winds down – not to mention event vendor sales, hotel accommodations and more. Brazilian Beat stimulated the downtown economy, and will continue to do so.
In conjunction with recent infrastructure improvements – which created a grander pedestrian promenade with widened sidewalks, paver walkways and curbless streets in the downtown – Brazilian Beat provided an exciting reason for people to visit and enjoy downtown. It provided people a great opportunity to celebrate downtown, to meander downtown, and to dance, eat, shop, spend and be social – all downtown.
From the inaugural event in 2012, Brazilian Beat has obtained official status from the Brazilian Consulate in Miami, as an “official” Brazilian Independence Day celebration. This designation has proved invaluable in positioning the event as culturally authentic, providing government level promotion and helping to secure global funding in the form of financial sponsorships and in-kind services, including: JM Lexus, Banco do Brasil, WPTV-TV, LATAM Airline Group, Acontece Magazine, the Rhythm Foundation, the Sun Sentinel, Tucci’s Pizza, the Consulate General of brazil in Miami, the City of Boca Raton, the Boca Raton Historical Society, Rotary Clubs of West Boca and Downtown Boca Raton, and area dance organizations.
Brazilian Beat 2014 provided an opportunity for the entire community to come together, interact, connect and of course – have some fun. It’s a successful example of how communities can unite their residents and area visitors and support their downtown businessesthrough the powerful umbrella of culture and the arts.
Contact Person: Ruby Childers, 561-367-7070,
Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency
City Hall – 201 West Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33432
Phone: 561-367-7070 :Fax: 561-393-7784