From the ChicagoUrbanite.org blog: What do you get when you combine samba, capoeira, breakdance and freestyle soccer together? Pure magic! I had the fortune to be part of a performance in which Chicago’s Brazilian music band Planeta Azul and Steve Elia‘s (Eli Freeze) Freestyle Soccer players got together and combined their talents for an event happening at McCormick Place. Steve is the pioneer of Freestyle soccer, which it did not exist until he started developing tricks with a soccer ball in his backyard just for fun in the mid 80s. Steve describes Freestyle Soccer as “using a soccer ball and expressing yourself with it doing tricks”. The sport of Freestyle Soccer is growing at an exponential rate. There are currently over 250 soccer tricks that are taught around the world and now people are incorporating dancing and break moves to them. This marriage of dance and sports is exciting and very entertaining. Here is a video of a rehearsal we had previous to our performance. Enjoy!
Voted Chicagoano BEST!!! - February 15, 2012
Voted Chicagoano BEST Brazilian Dance Troupe , BEST Performing Artist and BEST Album by a local musician!
Thank you to all who made this wonderful and privileged surprise a possibility. We humbly and graciously accept the honor. Beijos, your friends at Planeta Azul Entertainment!!!
Planeta Azul Library Series... - October 25, 2011
Luciano Antonio CD Release, Come celebrate! - June 12, 2011
Chicago's Greatest Carnaval Party 2011! - March 5, 2011
Passistas along with many of our fellow band mates from Planeta Azul were invited to participate in Chicago's Greatest Carnaval party 2011, presented by Swing Brasileiro and Sound Culture and special guest feature Luciano Antonio:
Luciano Antonio Project receives standing ovation - February 16, 2011
Luciano Antonio debuted his original works of Brazilian Jazz to a full and an excited house at the Old Town School of Folk Music’s Maurer Concert Hall. Beginning with the up tempo”Pe Na Estrada” (On the Road), he took us on a melodic journey of his life leading from his rural days in Brazil to the more modern and urbanized sounds of his new life via “Aos Filhos do Brasil” (To the Sons of Brazil), his tribute to the children of the streets and commemoration of the Kansas City Band with the same name. The audience was enthralled from beginning to end, enjoying every magical twist and turn with each arrangement. There were many climactic moments of the night, most notable was the soulful rendition of “Abandono” (Abandoned), the compelling duet with Neusa Sauer of Flavio Venturini’s “Pierrot” to Milton Nascimento’s intense and robust “Vera Cruz”. At concert’s end, the band gathered to take a bow and the audience responded with a standing ovation. We are looking forward to the CD release…
Passista Angels Invited to Perform at the Akira Fashion Fundraiser for Imerman Angels! - September 26, 2010
Passistas Samba Dance Troupe was invited to perform in the opening ceremony for the 7th Annual Garden of Eden fall fashion benefit, Folklorique, at Galleria Marchetti on behalf of Imerman Angels. About 1,800 guests sipped cocktails and enjoyed Passista's dance performances on the outdoor stage! See the Passistas Angels at 1:43:
Passistas Samba Dance Troupe was invited for the third consecutive year by the City of Chicago to represent Brazilian Dance in the City's most high profile family event, Chicago Summerdance. We're proud to announce that it was one of our best performances yet and we look forward to many, many more!
Bem Vindo for our Brazilian friends at the Central States Youth Rotary International Exchange! - February 26, 2010
Central States Youth Rotary International hosted a fantastic event at the Marriott O'Hare Hotel on Friday, February 26th, 2010 with Stitely Entertainment, and these fantastic Brazilian dancers from Passistas! What an honor for Passistas to participate in the goal to promote the advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace! CSRYE promotes at the person to person level and is for high school aged students, aged 16-18, interested in living and studying abroad for one year!
Our Samba Reggae Performance:
WGN Guest Feature - January 1, 2010
Luciano Antonio & Planeta Azul with the Passistas Samba Dance Troupe were invited as a special guest feature to be a part of the WGN Around Town morning show the morning of New Year's Eve. The producers loved us so much they kept us for the afternoon feature as well. What a fun time!
