Brazillian Nites Productions

Patricia Leao, a former dancer, and Gilberto Leao, a restaurateur, founded Brazilian Nites Productions in the midst of the lambada fever in 1989.  The husband-and-wife team from Burbank started the production company with the main purpose of advancing the lambada dance through contests, instruction and shows.  Over time, the company expanded its scope and now aims to promote the numerous facets of Brazilian culture, music and dance.

Brazilian Nites Productions has been successfully organizing events since its inception, bringing people of different ages and nationalities together to experience the allure and character of Brazilian culture.  The company produces several shows each year, including two annual events:  the Brazilian Summer Festival at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre and L.A.’s Brazilian Carnaval at the Hollywood Palladium in February. The Summer Festival is a co-presentation with the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and is part of the Ford Theatre’s Summer Season, while the Carnaval celebration is self-presented.

Past events have included: Pre-Carnaval Party, Festa do Vermelho e Preto (Red and Black Carnaval Party), Baile da Vitoria (Post-Carnaval Dance), Brazilian Spring Party, Festa Junina (Brazilian Country Party), Brazilian Summer Jam, Festa da Independença (Brazilian Independence Day), Halloween, Lambada Nite and Bahia Tropical.  Brazilian Nites also hosted a lambada contest at the Samba and Salsa Festival in Long Beach.

Over the years, Brazilian Nites Productions has grown from hosting parties at nightclubs to producing sold out concerts at sizeable venues.  In 1994, Brazilian Nites Productions held its first “Brazilian Summer Festival” at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, featuring Airto Moreira and Flora Purim, Lula and Afro-Brazil, and Sol e Mar.  Filled to capacity and overflowing with a festive spirit, the Los Angeles outdoor theater was transformed as if it were a part Brazil. This event marked the beginning of a co-presenter relationship with the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

In its third year, the festival expanded to two days in response to a sold out house for a one-day performance the year before. "Brazilian Summer Festival '96" featured a special tribute to the brilliant Brazilian jazz composer Moacir Santos, led by Rique Pantoja and his quintet.

While the summer festival had always celebrated the music, dance, food and crafts of Brazil, Brazilian Nites Productions wanted to maximize the success it had experienced at the Ford Amphitheatre.  Thus, "Brazilian Independence Day Celebration" was held at the same venue in September 1996 with Geraldo Azevedo in his Los Angeles debut, along with Katia Moraes and Lula & Afrobrasil.

In 1997, Brazilian Nites Productions presented another first Los Angeles appearance - Tropicalia legend CaetanoVeloso in concert - featuring his release Fina Estampa at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood.  The event won rave reviews from the Los Angeles Times and La Opinion.

1999 marked the sixth year of the Brazilian Summer Festival at the Ford Amphitheatre.  Brazilian Nites Productions proudly presented Caetano Veloso in his second USA tour, which featured his new CD Livro.  Held on July 3rd and July 4th, the two-day sold-out event defied commonly expected low-ticket sales on a holiday weekend. 
 
The Summer Festival in 2000 was another two-day event, featuring world-renowned Brazilian diva, Elba Ramalho and singer, composer, guitarist, Geraldo Azevedo.  Dubbed “Ao vivo em Los Angeles” (Live in Los Angeles), the show was recorded live on the Snowcreek Music label. The energetic concert closed the summer season of the Ford Amphitheatre in mid-September with critics’ glowing reviews. 

In October of the same year, Brazilian Nites ventured into a co-production with the Center of Visual & Performing Arts at California State University Northridge, which featured Quarteto Jobim-Morelenbaum in a tribute to bossa nova progenitor Antonio Carlos Jobim.

2001 has been packed with much achievement.  In March, the company produced and promoted “L.A.’s Brazilian Carnaval” at the Hollywood Palladium for the first time. An increasingly popular party, the Carnaval featured Armandinho and his Trio Elétrico with special guest Moraes Moreira, directly from Bahia, Brazil.  The event was such a success that the Hollywood Palladium has invited Brazilian Nites to produce the Carnaval again; and Brazilian Nites promises to bring another crowd-pleasing party. This event had an attendance of 3000 people.

In April, Brazilian Nites brought singer, composer, poet and Latin Grammy Award winner, Djavan to UCLA’s Royce Hall. The concert, commemorating 25 years of Djavan’s career, was sold out.  It received several standing ovations from the audience as well as great reviews from music critics. 

Marking its eighth year at the Ford Amphitheatre, “Brazilian Summer Festival 2001” was yet another sold out event.  Vibrant percussion filled the theater in June as Olodum, the Afro-Brazilian creators of samba reggae, came directly from Brazil to perform for audiences in Los Angeles.

In October 6 of the same year, Brazilian Nites Productions co-produced the 5th Annual Los Angeles Latin Jazz Festival at the Greek Theater, featuring Gal Costa, Dori Caymmi and Lila Downs, benefiting the Los Angeles Jazz Foundation.

The annual “Brazilian Carnaval 2002” took place at the Hollywood Palladium on Saturday, February 9, featuring “Imperatriz Leopoldinense Samba School” directly from Rio de Janeiro Brazil. The attendance was 3300, making this the most authentical carnaval outside of Brazil.

The 9th Annual Brazilian Summer Festival as part of the Summer Nights at the Ford series, was a success. We introduced the new rage of Brazilian rhythms and music “Forro”, which comes from the northeast part of Brazil.  The festival featured, Latin Grammy Nominee, Forrocacana.  We had a sold out house which makes us very pleased to know that people attend our events knowing that what we produce is always quality events with the best in Brazilian talent.

It has been our pleasure to produce for the third time Caetano Veloso’s concert, as part of his US Tour, releasing his latest CD “Live in Bahia”.   For the first time we expanded to San Diego.  Our publicity extended to the Mexican cities of Tijuana and Ensenada.  Brazilian culture is admired by many and we don’t have a limit to promote it.  The show was well attended, with a sold out house.

This year’s yearly Brazilian Carnaval 2003 remains a success, with rave reviews from Los Angeles Times and La Opinion.  The main attraction was Olodum, directly from Bahia, on February 22.  Attendance was over 3300. 

The 10th Annual Brazilian Summer Festival featured Grupo Fundo de Quintal from Rio de Janeiro. A sold out house with a total success, celebrated 10 years of bringing the best of Brazilian talent to the Ford Theater on July 26, 2003.

The annual Brazilian Carnaval 2004 in its new home the Queen Mary in Long Beach was a total success with a sold out house.  This year the event was open for all ages, and included Swingueira Bahiana, Batmakumba, and MILA Samba School with the OYA Samba Show.  This event took place on February 21, the actual weekend of Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, Brazil, Trinidad Tobago, among others. The carnaval was aired live on big screens.  Booths of arts and crafts, Brazilian Food and even a chance to win a ticket to Rio de Janeiro for all partygoers.  An authentic evening of Brazilian Carnaval!

At this time we have added a second event as part of the Summer Nights at the Ford series, which will open the opener of the events at the Ford, BRAZIL, WOMEN SING FOR LIFE, featuring top talented Brazilian singers together for the first time to raise funds for abused women in Brazil, on May 29, 2004.

Other events for the summer of 2004 feature on June 2nd a friendship game, LA Galaxy vs. Sao Paulo at the Home Depot Center.  On June 8th, OLODUM, inventors of samba-reggae were at the House of Blues as part of their 25 year World Tour celebration.  On September 5, the yearly Brazilian Summer Festival 2004 will celebrate the Brazilian Independence Day - on its 11th year with AS MENINAS directly from Brazil, a feminine version of OLODUM.

So far in 2005 we have produced our yearly Brazilian Carnaval at the Queen Mary on Sunday, February 12. The headliner was Jorge Ben Jor, plus over 20 beautiful Brazilian Sambistas (Samba Dancers), Samba Schools, Bahian bands, crafts, food and a big screen airing Carnaval from Brazil. It was a full success, we were sold out one week before.

Other projects for 2005  included Maria Rita in April 15 at the Wadsworth Theatre in concert for the first time, plus Beth Carvalho as part of the yearly Brazilian Summer Festival, going on our 12th year o, and a tribute to Tom Jobim with Paulo Moura, Armandinho, Robertinho Silva and Gabriel Improta as part of the Sacred Music Festival, both events taking place at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre and Daniela Mercury at UCLA’s Royce Hall. 

The yearly Brazilian Carnaval 2006 at the Queen Mary on February 25 was once again a sold out event with over 3000 attendees and great press coverage. Future confirmed events for 2006 include the Brazilian Summer Festival 2006 at the Ford Amphitheatre on Sunday June 4, headlines with Forroçacana, a group directly from Brazil featuring the rhythms of the Northeast of Brazil.  This 13th edition of the festival will celebrate the opening of the World Cup, happening in Germany from June 9th to July 9th, where Brazil is one of the favorites to take become champions for the 6th time, the most ever won by any country.

Other projects Brazilian Carnaval 2007 at the Queen Mary on February 2, 2007, Brazilian Summer Festival 2007 (14th annual) at the Ford Amphitheatre on June 17, 2007 featuring GRUPO FUNDO DE QUINTAL, well known Samba and Pagode group.

BRAZILIAN SUMMER NITES at the Temple Bar in Santa Monica featuring great artists:

July 12 – Ze Renato, July 15 – DJ Dolores, July 22 –– Marcos Ariel, August 19 – Afro Reggae

In November 14, 2007, we are proud to present for the 5th time CAETANO VELOSO at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.

Brazilian Nites Productions has teamed up with the Brazilian Women’s Group, headed by its president, Marcia Argolo.  This group is dedicated to raise funds for important social causes in Brazil, such as the needy children, the elderly and battered women.  Part of the proceeds of all our events benefit this organization.

In acknowledgment of their continuing efforts to keep Brazilian culture alive in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, co-presenters of the Brazilian Summer Festival, awarded a certificate of recognition to Brazilian Nites Productions from the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles on June 5, 2001, signed by all four Supervisors and the Mayor.