A taste of Rio's Carnivale touched down on Dundas West at Dufferin Sunday as The Second Samba on Dundas hosted one fun community street party!
The Dundas West Business Improvement Association, along with Lula Lounge and Bento Tire hosted an afternoon of Brazilian music and dance with some local merchants selling food, including the new Lula Lounge's Cafe Lula
Gladstone Street was a riot of color with Samba Brasil heating up the afternoon with sizzling samba. Samba Brasil got them moving as dancers plucked old and young from the crowd to samba. Batucada Carioca's music pulsed and echoed through the neighborhood as they samba'd away.
Batucada Carioca's impromptu parade moved the party from Gladstone to the Bento Tire parking lot at Sheridan along the sidewalk.
Samba Squad then settled with two sets. Three rappers, including Rick Lazar himself surprised the crowd with a fresh take on traditional Brazilian rhythms.
The Dance Migration dancers gave a quick lesson in Reggae Samba before the dance floor - Bento's parking lot - opened for some summer fun.
A spectacular capoeira demonstration followed with Capoeira Camara. A centuries old Brazilian slave dance - part martial art, part music, and part cultural survival - has found new life in the 21st century.
Samba Squad opened their second set, this time with Dance Migration.
The afternoon ended with Samba Squad members and others trickling over to Cafe Lula for well deserved cold cervesas. There will be more coming next year!
Videos coming to SalsaTO on YouTube and FaceBook.com.
