Nação Zumbi at Central Park SummerStage

Brazilian act Nação Zumbi is set to perform at SummerStage in Central Park, Manhattan on Sunday, August 2. The event will also feature Carnival Caravan and DJ Vinil Pompéia Admission is free.

Prior to SummerStage’s 20 year celebration of the original 1995 Chico Science & Nação Zumbi concert at SummerStage, City Parks Foundation and Brasil Summerfest will host a panel discussion that will explore the effect in which Chico Science and Nação Zumbi had on Brazilian and international music.

The multidimensional nature of manguebeat has allowed it to continue and flourish despite the death of Chico, the pioneer, in 1997. Its blend of funk, metal, punk, hip-hop, and regional rhythms like maracatu and coco resonates among audiences both young and old. The panel conversation will feature Beco Dranoff, Bill Bragin and Deborah Cohen who were responsible and present at the Chico Science & Nação Zumbi SummerStage show 20 years ago. The panel will be moderated by reporter and historian Ned Sublette.

Nação Zumbi:

Twenty years ago, Nação Zumbi released its first album, Da Lama ao Caos. The debut album by Chico Science & Nação Zumbi attracted media attention. Their second album, Afrociberdelia, came out in 1996, but in less than a year, the band lost its leader Chico Science. Despite the huge setback, Nação Zumbi reinvented itself, releasing a series of new albums.

Carnival Caravan:

Carnival Caravan is a new collective touring concept including Brazilian-American group Nation Beat and New Orleans band Cha Wa. The aim is to incorporate Brazilian, New Orleans and related music, dance and art into a show that investigates the cultural exchange between North and South America.

Nation Beat’s Scott Kettner and Cha Wa’s Joe Gelini met in New Orleans on Mardi Gras Day in front of Big Chief Monk Boudreaux’s house awaiting the Golden Eagle Tribe. As Scott & Joe paraded with the Golden Eagles to the legendary corner of Second & Dryades they started a musical dialog that became the inspiration for this musical collaboration.

Sunday, August 2
Doors at 2pm
Pre-Show Panel at 12:30pm
For more details visit SummerStage.org