05-16-08
#25
Mt. Vernon's Brazilian community holds
historic 1st Annual "Brazilians for You" fair (BZ4U)
Mount Vernon Brazilians, along with
Brazilians from other tri-state area communities,
flocked to Hartley Park in Mount Vernon on Sunday, May
18, to celebrate the first-ever "Brazilians for You"
fair, also known as BZ4U.
The well planned and highly anticipated fair was
sponsored by the Brazilian Civic Center, in an effort to
develop a better understanding and better ties
between Mount Vernon's government, especially the Police
Department and the Mount Vernon community as a whole.
The fair started at 10:00 AM with ominous clouds
hovering above Mount Vernon, but the threat of rain did
not deter the hundreds that attended the historic fair
early on.
As the day went on, many from the big population of
Brazilians in Mount Vernon, estimated at 5,000 strong,
with a sprinkling of non-Brazilians, were treated to a
day of musical entertainment, a soccer demonstration,
Brazilian food, and medical screenings by personnel from
Mount Vernon Hospital.
Generating much attention at the fair was a large group
of former professional Brazilian soccer players, who
still play in a non-competitive way on a routine basis
year-round. A proposal is currently being studied, that
will enable these former soccer players to participate
in after school-programs throughout Mount Vernon
schools, in an effort to instruct kids on how to play
soccer. The Brazilian community is aware that the few
hours between the end of the school day and when parents
get home from work are some of the most dangerous and
under-utilized in children's lives. The impact on both
students and the broader community can be severe.
Another interesting effort being implemented by the
Brazilian Civic Center in Mount Vernon is the
recruitment of volunteers within the Brazilian community
to assist with a city beautification program; help
teenagers in need of assistance; assist concerned
mothers; create a city choir; visit ill citizens and
more. Because Brazilian social life centers around the
family, it is not uncommon for Brazilians to see members
of their extended families—married siblings,
grandparents, aunts, cousins, and other relations—on a
daily basis. Family is also very important to Brazilian
Americans in Mount Vernon as well. Many Brazilians were
observed signing up for above stated community service
programs at the fair.
A singing performance by a popular local singer by the
name of Zé Wilson may have been the biggest highlight of
the fair. Wilson sang many songs made popular by
legendary Brazilian singer,
Caetano Emanuel Viana Teles Veloso,
better known as Caetano Veloso, who is a
composer,
singer,
guitarist,
writer,
and
political activist.
He has been called "one of the greatest songwriters of
the century"
and is
sometimes considered to be the
Bob Dylan
of
Brazil.
Veloso is most known for his participation in the
Brazilian musical movement
Tropicalismo,
which encompassed theatre, poetry and music in the
1960s.
Rain interrupted the fair near the end of the day, but
not before Brazilians and others enjoyed an historic
festive day at Hartley Park.
\
Ricardo
Braxtor (r) president of the Brazilian Civic Center,
soliciting
volunteers for community service programs.
A
child being welcomed to the fair by popular costumed
animal characters
Two vendors selling Brazilian books
A
vendor's makeshift beauty salon attracted many ladies
Joe
Petrillo (l) president of Guardia Lombardi Association
in Mt. Vernon,
with Adilson Premoli, president of Westchester Paving.
A group picture of some former professional Brazilian
soccer players
Zé
Wilson singing Brazilian favorites
A vendor with a variety of goods for sale
