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BOCA RATON, FLORIDA (August 30, 2016) – The City of Boca Raton presents Downtown Boca’s Brazilian Beat, designated as one of South Florida’s official annual Brazilian Independence Day Celebrations by the Consulate General of Brazil in Miami, on Saturday, September 10 at 6 p.m. at the Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real. The event is FREE and open to the public. Promising to be a spirited evening, Brazilian Beat will feature live music, street entertainment including a Zumba showcase, a Capoeira circle, carnival dancers, samba drummers and authentic Brazilian food and cocktails. Headlining the event is world-renowned singer-songwriter Bebel Gilberto, who has earned multiple Grammy nominations over the course of her career. Gilberto has captivated fans and earned media acclaim worldwide with her trademark electronic bossa nova, and is one of the top-selling Brazilian artists in the U.S. since the ‘60s. Gilberto’s penchant for sonically transporting listeners to Brazil, with bright, incandescent bossa nova-infused melodies, lyrics about love, and an invigorating performance style has earned her raves for her live performances. Gilberto was born in New York to Brazilian music icons João Gilberto and Miúcha. Her musical education came from her experience growing up in Brazil. She was surrounded by extended family including her uncle Chico Buarque and family friends like Milton Nacimento, Tom Jobim, Caetano Veloso, and João Donato. She made her first recording at age seven. Opening for Gilberto will be Batuke Samba Funk, mixing rhythms from Afro-samba and Brazilian big band with classic 70s funk. The goal of Batuke is to “Brazilianize” American sounds, and “Americanize” Brazilian sounds in a perfectly balanced fusion. The band is formed by several of Miami’s top Brazilian musicians including bassist and composer Diogo Brown, guitarist Cezar Santana and singer Mari Mac. They have performed with top Brazilian artists like Vanessa da Mata, and also James Brown’s legendary sax player Pee Wee Ellis. Their groove-fueled sound is influenced by top Brazilian and US funk and artists, including Jorge Ben Jor, Earth, Wind & Fire, Tim Maia and Seu Jorge, among others. All Main Stage acts are produced by the Rhythm Foundation. Free parking for Brazilian Beat is available at City Hall (201 W. Palmetto Park Road), the Downtown Library (400 NW 2nd Avenue), Building Administration (200 NW 2nd Avenue), and other locations downtown where event signage is featured. For convenience, free trolleys will be available to and from the Mizner Park Amphitheater. Event partners and sponsors include the Boca Raton Resort & Club, the Consulate General of Brazil in Miami, SambaLa Samba School, Boca Raton Museum of Art, and The Little Chalet. Media sponsors include Acontece Magazine, SUNNY 107.9 FM, South Florida Luxury Guide and WPTV-TV. For more information and event details visit DowntownBoca.Org, like us on Facebook or call 561-367-7070. To become a Downtown Boca event sponsor, call 561-367-7070.