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Carnival Fever: Afro-Brazilian, Afro-Latin Music Extravaganza

Carnival Fever: A Multi-Cultural Event Featuring Bay Area's Top Live Bands and Dj's.

There is a popular belief that in Brazil the year only starts after Carnvial. Be this an exaggeration or not, there is not much else being talked about on the country's blogosphere: everyone is dusting off their costumes, getting into the mood and counting down the days for the biggest street party on Earth.

The origins of carnival date back to the ancient Greek spring festival in honor of Dionysus, the god of wine. The Romans adopted the celebration with Bacchanalia (feasts in honor of Bacchus, the Roman equivalent to Dionysus), and Saturnalia, where slaves and their masters would exchange clothes in a day of drunken revelry. Saturnalia was later modified by the Roman Catholic Church into a festival leading up Ash Wednesday. It quickly evolved into a massive celebration of indulgences - one last gasp of music, food, alcohol, and sex before Lent - before the 40 days of personal reflection, abstinence, and fasting until Easter (not exactly what the Church probably had in mind). 40 days of purging sins, preceded by a week filled with virtually every known sin. The word itself comes from Latin, "Carne Vale" or "Farewell to the Flesh".

While it has been argued that Brazilian music in general is marked by a fusion of influences only fitting for a country with such diversity of ethnicities, cultures, and races, "Carnival Fever's" main goal is to embrace and celebrate our differences with a three night musical extravaganza taking place at San Francisco's 12 Galaxies from Friday May 23 to Sunday, May 25th. "Carnival Fever" Mutli-Cultural line-up includes Sila and the Afrofunk Experience, Bat Makumba, Aphrodesia, Cheb i Sabbah, Bayonics, Native Elements, Boca Do Rio, Dj Jeremiah and the Afrobeat Nation, Manicato, Fuga, Sambamora Dance Company, Dj Sep and Dj Vanka.

The event is produced by Maisha Productions whose mission is to promote multi-cultural events in the Bay Area and donates partial proceeds from all shows to programs in Africa that offer health, education services to children affected by AIDS, war and famine.

What: Carnival Fever: Afro-Brazilian, Afro-Latin Music Extravaganza
When: Friday May 23, 2008 to Sunday May 25th,2008, Doors:9:00 pm
Where: 12 Galaxies, 2565 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
Who: Sila and the Afrofunk Experience, Bat Makumba, Aphrodesia,
Cheb i Sabbah, Bayonics, Native Elements, Boca Do Rio, Dj Jeremiah and the Afrobeat Nation, Manicato, Fuga,
Sambamora Dance Company, Dj Sep and Dj Vanka.
Tickets: $15ADV/$20DOOR. Available at carnivalsf.net. 21+
Contact: Jeremiah Kpoh, Email: Jeremiah@maishaproductions.com,
Phone: 415-377-4879
More Information: Carnivalsf.net, 415-377-4879