{"id":36484,"date":"2014-12-16T11:51:00","date_gmt":"2014-12-16T01:51:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lastminute.co.nz\/blog\/?p=36484"},"modified":"2015-03-24T09:06:16","modified_gmt":"2015-03-23T23:06:16","slug":"hold-on-to-your-brazoukas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.co.nz\/vc\/blog\/hold-on-to-your-brazoukas\/","title":{"rendered":"Hold on to your Brazoukas!"},"content":{"rendered":"

I love all the dance films from the 80\u2019s and 90\u2019s.<\/h2>\n

When I was a kid I\u2019d watch them over and over again – afterwards I\u2019d run down our hall way and throw myself in the air and make my older brother catch me and hold me in the air like some sort of bootleg version of Dirty Dancing<\/a>. Don\u2019t laugh \u2013 I know you\u2019ve wanted to try it at least once, hungry eyes.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\"\"<\/a>\n

Anyway, when the lastminute lovelies asked if I wanted to check out Brazouka<\/a>, an Afro-Brazilian dance spectacular playing at Jupiter\u2019s Hotel & Casino<\/a> Gold Coast I couldn\u2019t say \u201csim por favor\u201d (that\u2019s hell yes in Portuguese) fast enough!<\/p>\n

Broadbeach on the Gold Coast<\/a> is only a one hour drive from Brisbane<\/a>, so I jumped in the car with my good Judy<\/a> and a sick playlist and we were picking up our tickets from the Box Office in no time. Don\u2019t worry, there\u2019s heaps of parking at Jupiter\u2019s Hotel & Casino and it\u2019s totally free.<\/p>\n

We made a bee line for the bar, and then started searched for some good selfie light among the pre-show excitement.<\/p>\n\"\"<\/a>\n

\"Ticket\/Seat<\/a>

Ticket\/Seat Selfie<\/p><\/div>\n

As the house lights come down, saving us from breaking the internet with our millionth selfie, \u00a0the crowd hushes and the familiar voice of comedy great Billy Connolly<\/a> welcomes us to the show and introduces Braz Dos Santos \u2013 the show\u2019s central character and our hero. Queue music, stage lights\u2026<\/p>\n

Braz is from a small impoverished fishing village in Brazil, and is discovered by a Parisian talent agent while dancing the Lambada. Over the next few hours we\u2019re enthralled in Braz\u2019s story, touched by his relationship with his father and rooting for our hero as he gains international attention. I\u2019d like to play it cool, but this show had me hooked by the first number.<\/p>\n

\"Brazouka\"<\/a>

Braz is widely accepted as the best Lambazouka dancer in the world<\/p><\/div>\n

The thing that\u2019s surprising isn\u2019t so much the level of energy, which is incredible BTW, but how they sustain that level of energy throughout the whole performance. It\u2019s clear this dance troupe have brought the best of Brazil to the stage, serving up some Latin realness.<\/p>\n

\"Brazilian<\/a>

Each scene showcased a little piece of the Brazilian personality<\/p><\/div>\n

There\u2019s a distinctly modern approach to this show, combining perfectly synchronised high-speed dance moves with a contemporary soundtrack; featuring beats from Rhianna, Katie Perry and J-lo.<\/p>\n

They\u2019ve added just the right amount of hairography too which makes the whole experience feel like a party and you know I\u2019m allll about that life.<\/p>\n

\"Brazouka<\/a>

Beautifully light stage and costumes really help follow the story<\/p><\/div>\n

I appreciate the amount of humour the producers include in the show; it really helps to capture the Brazilian personality. They\u2019ve also done you a solid by keeping the set simple and instead choose light projection and costuming to help set the scene, so you can focus on the dancing.<\/p>\n

The closing number brings together massive feather headdresses and full body stockings \u2013 my inner showgirl was seething with jealously. As the big finish draws to an end the entire audience was on their feet dancing and clapping like they were at Carnival! Take me to Rio!<\/p>\n

\"Brazouka<\/a>

The cast of Brazouka with Producer Pamela Stephenson-Connolly<\/p><\/div>\n

Why don\u2019t you come join the party? The show wraps on January 18th<\/sup> so get your tickets here<\/a> ASAP.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s heaps of accommodation available on the Gold Coast<\/a>, but if you want to take a roll of the dice try our new Secret Hotels \u00ae App<\/a> to book your accommodation. We\u2019ve got plenty of cheap flights to the Gold Coast<\/a> too so don\u2019t worry Amgea, we\u2019ve got you covered.<\/p>\n

Adeus.<\/p>\n

Have you been to Jupiters on the GC? Brag about it in the comments. <\/strong><\/h2>\n