2. Live Performance Proposal 2014
Name of Group:
Maria Bonita & The Band
Contact Person:
Alex Bordokas
E-mail/phone#:
+1 647-293-2266 -info@umanota.ca
ARTS DISCIPLINE:
Live Music Performance
PRESENTATION:
Full-length show and Dance Workshop
Maria Bonita & The Band Website:
www.mariabonitaband.com
3. Questions?
Provide an artistic description of the work you are propos-
ing to present at the event.
Maria Bonita and the Band perform a style of music called
forró.Originating from Brazil’s arid northeast,forró is a
regional dance and music rooted in African and European
traditions.With its soulful mix of voices,percussion,flute,
Brazilian fiddle and bass,this music has become the craze
of a nation,sweeping across Brazil’s cultural landscape and
inspiring audiences around the world.Forró is rhythmic
and energetic,as well as sensual and melodic.Maria Bonita
and the Band present this beautiful music with vivacity and
excitement,bringing the sounds and rhythms of northeastern
Brazil straight to your backyard.
Provide an estimated duration of your work?
A full-length show is 1 hour and 20 minutes long.We can
easily adapt the length of the show to fit the needs of the
performance situation.
2
Tell us briefly why the event is an appropriate venue for
your work or how your work fits the venue mandate.
Canada and Brazil have growing cultural connections and
relationships.This is visible in the cultural manifestations of
capoeira,maracatu,samba and contemporary Brazilian dance
in cities such as Toronto and Montreal. Maria Bonita and
the Band believe in the importance of international cultural
exchanges.Music is one of the most accessible ways to foster
this sort of exchange and this is especially relevant in a
festival environment.
Tell us about who is involved?
Maria Bonita and the Band is a group of Canadian and
Brazilian musicians based in Toronto.The group’s common
goal is to create a cultural exchange between the musicians
and the general public.The members of the band include
Kelly Lefaive [Brazilian fiddle (Rabeca)/ Vocals]], Jerusa Leão
[Tambourine (Pandeiro)/Lead vocals], Amy Medvick [Flute/Vo-
cals],Kelsey McNulty [Accordion/ Vocals],RJ Satchithananthan
[Bass], Rodrigo Calabria [Percussion/Zabumba drum].
4. 5
Describe your ideas for promotion,and mention how you
currently promote you event?
Currently Maria Bonita and the Band have a solid following
on social media websites such as Facebook and YouTube.
We always use these sites to promote upcoming shows and
events to encourage our fan base to come out and support
our music.
What is your overall budget,including your artists’fees?
Minimum purchase
Prices listed are all presumed on a minimum purchase at the
total amount of $2,500.Discount could be offered depending
on the final purchase confirmation.*This does not include
cost of transportation, accommodation and food.
Have you presented this work previously,and if so when/
where?
Maria Bonita and the Band have been active since 2011.The
group has performed in several local Toronto venues such as
the Dakota Tavern,Gladstone Hotel and Great Hall.We have
regularly performed as part of festivals and events put on by
the Fedora Upside Down collective.Other performances have
included a workshop at Massey Hall for the Share the Music
Foundation,the Small World Music Festival at Lula Lounge,
Expressions of Brazil Festival at the Harbourfront Centre and
Toronto’s Brazilfest.
Who is your intended audience?
Maria Bonita and the Band’s intended audience are the peo-
ple who love musical exchanges between different cultures.
Are there unions,organizations,collectives,etc.that you
believe may be interested in co-presenting your work?
Fedora Upside Down, Ave! Maria Forró Nights!,Opa! Nite,Big
Village and PSK Collective Day.
5. Cultural Exchange between nations:
Embracing cultural and ethnic diversity is a key characteristic of Canadian society.As a group,Maria Bonita and the
Band strive to encourage cross-cultural dialogues within the community by engaging people with their art.When
Maria Bonita and the Band perform,they do so with passion,energy and skill with the goal of provoking a meaningful
and powerful interaction with the audience that promotes a cultural connection.
6. ,Maria Bonita >
Afe Maria Nights!@Dakota
Tavern, Toronto
Maria Bonita and the Band
has an upcoming exciting
project called the Afe Maria
Project.This project will be
a monthly residency during
2014.It will feature nights
of music and dance that
celebrate the roots of forró
music.
9. M
PERFORMANCES OF MARIA
BONITA >
Maria Bonita and the Band performs
with a fun and positive energy that
captivates audiences.For old and
young alike,forró music is irresistible
and the dance floor is always full of
happy listeners.
10. HCULTURAL EXCHANGE EXPERI-
ENCES >
The forró musical style is influenced
by music from all over the world.It
draws a lot from African rhythms.The
instruments and melodies are heavily
influenced by those of European
countries such as Ireland,Germany and
Scotland.
