A Unique St. Patty’s Day
Brazilians really know how to do a party right. I assuming most people already know this since all over the world people associate Brazil with Carnaval. In fact, if I had to venture a guess I would say that more people know that Brazil celebrates Carnaval than people know that they speak Portuguese and not Spanish. I was fortunate enough to get invited to a Brazilian university graduation party last Saturday (falling on Saint Patrick’s Day). Not sure exactly what this would entail, I started asking around. I was told at these parties people wear prom dresses, there is an unlimited amount of free food and booze, and people dance all night. I thought these were mere exaggerations; I assure they were not. The simplest way I can describe a Brazilian university graduation party is a prom, Bar Mitzvah, and wedding rolled into one and, eloquently speaking, on crack. I’ll try to paint a clearer picture.
The party I went to was thrown in honor of 20 Architecture students. Each student got to invite 50-70 family members and friends who sat at tables adorned with pictures of the student. All night waiters weaved through the crowds offering beer, wine, and water, as well as hors d’oeruvres, which consisted of fancy chocolates and mini fried pockets filled with anything from olives to tuna fish. Later on in the evening an all you can eat buffet was setup for people to serve themselves. There was also an open bar where you could get vodka with any crushed fresh fruit they had available, among other drinks.
Around midnight dancers in traditional Carnaval dress gave a show. After they called students (individually or in small groups) on to the stage to perform a short choreographed dance on stage. It seems every Brazilian has the art of dancing down. I am convinced that they can do any dance, to any music, under any circumstance. While the bands were playing I witnessed people dancing samba, forro, and what I consider Brazilian versions of the YMCA and the Hokey Pokey. When the DJ played popular music from the U.S. and the U.K. Brazilians stood in circles and danced “Gringo” style (this was the only dance I felt confident enough to partake in). Fulbright strongly promotes the sharing of cultures. As far as dance goes, I think this year will be a one-way street. What can I possibly teach these people who I must assume know everything about every type of boogie? On second thought, I didn’t see anyone doing the “shopping cart” or the “sprinkler” so maybe I still have something to offer.
Brazilians really know how to do a party right. I assuming most people already know this since all over the world people associate Brazil with Carnaval. In fact, if I had to venture a guess I would say that more people know that Brazil celebrates Carnaval than people know that they speak Portuguese and not Spanish. I was fortunate enough to get invited to a Brazilian university graduation party last Saturday (falling on Saint Patrick’s Day). Not sure exactly what this would entail, I started asking around. I was told at these parties people wear prom dresses, there is an unlimited amount of free food and booze, and people dance all night. I thought these were mere exaggerations; I assure they were not. The simplest way I can describe a Brazilian university graduation party is a prom, Bar Mitzvah, and wedding rolled into one and, eloquently speaking, on crack. I’ll try to paint a clearer picture.
The party I went to was thrown in honor of 20 Architecture students. Each student got to invite 50-70 family members and friends who sat at tables adorned with pictures of the student. All night waiters weaved through the crowds offering beer, wine, and water, as well as hors d’oeruvres, which consisted of fancy chocolates and mini fried pockets filled with anything from olives to tuna fish. Later on in the evening an all you can eat buffet was setup for people to serve themselves. There was also an open bar where you could get vodka with any crushed fresh fruit they had available, among other drinks.
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