By Doug Gray, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO – This Thursday sees a benefit show in aid of victims of the landslides which ripped through Morro dos Prazeres earlier this month, one of the worst hit areas during the unusually heavy rains three weeks ago. Thirty people from the community died when the earth under several houses gave way in the favela, including a four year old child, and many more have been left homeless.
The ‘Prazeres Com Muito Orgulho’ show is the brainchild of Laura Burocco, an Italian living in Santa Teresa who was inspired to help after seeing fundraising initiatives conducted by fellow local Tee Cardaci, and the donation efforts taking place across the city.
Six years living and working in the city and Santa Teresa meant that the problems for her neighbors were particularly hard felt. Working for an Italian NGO, and organizing cultural events throughout this time, putting on a benefit show seemed the logical way to help.
Having already worked with Carioca rapper Bnegao on one such project, he was more than happy to help out, and along with local radio station SAMP they have enlisted the help of legends of the funk Carioca scene like Sany Pitbull and DJ Marlboro to perform.
“We hope to have around 1,000 people and to raise a significant amount of money to help Prazeres. That money will go to the residents association, and we will sit down with them and discuss the best ways to use the money,” explains Cardaci.
“The party was conceptualized when Laura contacted me after seeing my fundraising efforts on Facebook. She thought that together we could do even more and approached the local guys from La Rica soundsystem and also Bnegao, who she has worked with in the past,” recalls Cardaci.
“From there it just mushroomed. Bnegao contacted Sany and Marlboro, who were both excited to help out and eventually it got to the point where we had more artists than we had time and space for. We are now talking about the possibility of adding a second show in early May, as Afro Reggae, Digital Dubs and Mc Duda do Borel have expressed interest in participating.”
In addition to the music, there will be live graffiti by Santa Crew and Airá Ocrespo and work by internationally renowned artist Smael. Their creations will be auctioned off at the end of the evening with all proceeds going directly to help the rebuilding efforts where they are most needed within the community.
To get to Prazeres, take Rua Almirante Alexandrinho, accessible via Santa Teresa or Cosme Velho. The entrance to the community can also be reached by taking the Bonde to the end of the Dois Irmāos line. When you reach the entrance to the community, simply walk up the hill about 400 meters to the quadra. Google maps link.
Prazeres Com Muito Orgulho
April 29, 2010 – 8PM
Morro dos Prazeres quadra
Quadra na communidade – 8PM
R$15 / R$10 with a kilo of non-perishable food