PANAMANIA showcases Aline Morales and Sergio Mendes this weekend
Acclaimed jazz-fusion icon Sergio Mendes is bringing his global tour this Sunday at 9pm to Nathan Philips Square in Toronto
By Ingrid Coifman
PANAMANIA, presented by CIBC, is a 35-day arts and culture festival taking place during TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games. More than 250 performances and exhibitions – including music, theatre, dance, visual arts and fashion – are happening all over the city, both free and ticketed, till August 15.
This Sunday, PANAMANIA will showcase Brazilian versatile artist Aline Morales & Baque de Bamba (at 2pm) and acclaimed musician Sergio Mendes (9pm). The shows are free and promise to draw not only Brazilian crowds to Nathan Philips Square.
Aline Morales is a JUNO-nominated singer and percussionist living in Toronto. Born and raised in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Aline has been promoting the traditional maracatu rhythms of Northeastern Brazil, performing with her 30-member percussion troupe, Baque de Bamba. Her debut solo album “Flores, Tambores e Amores” quickly reached #1 on Canada’s Folk/World charts, being rooted in classic Brazilian song styles, such as samba, forró, Northeastern folk music and 1960’s Tropicalia.
Sergio Mendes, the ultimate jazz-fusion icon, is bringing his global tour announced early this year. His most recent album, “Magic”, recorded in Los Angeles and Salvador (BR), had the contribution of special guests such as Carlinhos Brown, John Legend, Will.I.AM, Milton Nascimento and Maria Gadu. Mendes has three Grammys under his belt. His first album “Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66”, was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and in 2012, he nearly won an Oscar for his song for the animated movie, Rio.
Service: PANAMANIA is happening at Nathan Phillips Square, CIBC Pan Am Park and the Distillery District. More info at toronto2015.org/panamaniaYou can also immerse yourself in documentaries about the diverse cultures that make up the Americas, watching films from Peru, Cuba, Argentina, Brazil and Chile at the Hot Docs Bloor Cinema (bloorcinema.com)
