By Jay Forte, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – On Saturday, September 10th, the HeartBeatz party is set to kick off at Alta Vidigal, the well known party venue set high on the Vidigal community with sweeping views of Leblon and Ipanema. The event has been organized by a German couple living in Rio, and will feature British DJ, Jody King, and German DJ and musician Seth Schwarz, with all proceeds going to local charity efforts in the area.
Nora and Sebastian Kerll moved to Rio from Germany over a year ago, and became friends with Jody King, who lives and works in Rocinha. When they visited King’s English school project ‘Favela Phoenix‘ in Rocinha, they became inspired and decided to try to support it by creating awareness.
Nora Kerll explains, “That was when the idea came up to combine two things we love. Electronic music and helping others in need.” Adding, “After Jody told us about the location Alto Vidigal, we went there for a fantastic event and were astounded by the authentic yet secure location in the midst of the pacified favela with a breathtaking view – especially during sunrise. That was the last piece in the puzzle and we started to build our little project.”
Kerll explained how the couple were able to get German DJ Seth Schwarz involved. “I grew up in Berlin with a large choice of amazing electro clubs so I really do love this music! Right before my husband and I left to live in Brazil I was at an event with good old friends and the DJ was Seth Schwarz (an old classmate of mine).”
Mrs. Kerll described, “Seth is a very cool and open minded character. When I told him […] about our plans to create a fundraising party in one of the coolest locations I have ever partied in (and remember I grew up in Berlin – the capital of clubs and electronic music) he immediately said he wants to be part of it.”
She continues, “He told me a date where he had some days off between appearances at the burning man in the U.S. and [we] booked the flight. While he is used to play for larger crowds, currently for around 65,000 people at the burning man, our party of around 500 people will be more of a great private exclusive show and hopefully be an appreciated change for him. I am certainly more nervous than him!”
Nora and Sebastian Kerll have been working hard to promote the event and are hoping to fill the house and raise funds and non-perishable food which will be donated to social projects in Rio’s Favelas. In addition, they are hoping Seth Schwarz will have an amazing experience in the night of his 30th birthday, DJing for the first time in Latin America.
The entrance fee to the party will be only R$30 with a kilo of non-perishable food before midnight, and R$50 with a kilo of non-perishable food after midnight. The food will be donated and distributed to those in communities that need it most and that party’s profits will go to social projects in Rio de Janeiro’s favelas.
Starting from 10PM there will be transports leaving to the event location for a fee of R$10,00 at from Leblon at Rua Rainha Guilhermina, 48, (Corner with Av General San Martin). After 3A< there will be transports returning from the location down to entrance Vidigal and Leblon for the same price. For additional information, see the Facebook Event page.
What: HeartBeatz@Vidigal
When: September 10th, 10PM
Where: Alto Vidigal, Rua Armando de Almeida Lima 2, Arvrao
Entrance: R$30 w/a kilo of non-perishable food before midnight, R$50 w/ a kilo of non-perishable food after midnight, R$40 – R$60 without food.
* This is a Sponsored article for the HeartBeatz@Vidigal party.