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Conceiving a Carnival block party to showcase ballroom scene talents


Virilha Suada
February, 2024
Brasília, BR
Events,
Production
Queer Culture
Executive Production
Creative Direction
Project Management






 

Some context...

Carnival in Brazil is more than a party. It’s a rare moment when people take over public space—dancing, sweating, and celebrating side by side. For a few days, it feels like equality exists.

But not everywhere.

In Brasília, the capital known for its futuristic urban design, Carnival doesn’t hold the same cultural weight. The city’s layout keeps things separate. Wealth and power are concentrated in the centre. Meanwhile, the outskirts—where the working class and marginalized communities live—remain disconnected, underfunded, and overlooked.





The idea


Virilha Suada is a queer Carnival block party. The name means “Sweaty Crotch”—a bold and playful title that matches the event’s energy.

It was created to give space to marginalized artists, especially queer performers, dancers, and DJs. But it was also about something deeper:
Creating a moment of visibility in a city where many realities are ignored.

By bringing this party into wealthier areas, the goal was to cross boundaries—physical, social, and cultural. It wasn’t just a show. It was an invitation to see, hear, and feel something different.











What we did


We blended Ballroom culture with Brazilian funk—two scenes rooted in resistance, movement, and self-expression.

The event took shape through community effort:
  • We raised funds through merchandise and an online campaign.
  • We gathered a team of queer artists, DJs, and performers.
  • We designed a visual identity that was bold, loud, and unmistakably queer.

It all came together on the streets, where it belonged.






The outcome


The first edition of Virilha Suada brought in nearly 1,000 people. The energy was raw, joyful, and honest. People danced. People connected.

Post-event surveys showed that the event made an impact. Attendees felt safer, more visible, and more connected. Many asked for the next edition.

And now, the foundations are in place for that to happen.

 







cezar almeida© London, UK |  2024