Although it was only the second Brazilian Nite at the University of Idaho, the tickets went quick. And by the time the night arrived, the event was sold out, leaving the many people wanting to get into Brazilian Nite out of luck Saturday.
Cezar Mesquita, staff adviser to the Brazilian Student Club, said the event started last year when the university received over 200 students from Brazil as part of the program Ciência sem Fronteiras (Science without borders).
Some of these students were passionate about sharing their culture, Mesquita said, and it was from this passion that Brazilian Nite was born.
“It is so inspiring, and then for them to take up their time to put together events like this is nothing short of phenomenal,” Mesquita said.
Dominique Godinho, a petroleum engineering major from Rio de Janeiro and singer at the event, said she thinks Brazilian Nite is amazing. She said she loves to sing, and the event gives her an opportunity to share her voice and her culture with the Moscow community.
“It”s a way to show a little bit of Brazil,” said 21-year-old musician João “JC” Carlos, who performed in most of the musical pieces during the event.
Mamta Kandel | Argonaut
Cezar Mesquita, staff adviser to the Brazilian Student Club, said the event started last year when the university received over 200 students from Brazil as part of the program Ciência sem Fronteiras (Science without borders).
JC, a computer science major currently attending UI on scholarship from Brazil, said he performed in last year”s event as well.
Graduate student Pedro Panzenhagen, who is currently at Washington State University pursuing a doctorate”s degree in veterinary medicine, said his favorite part of Brazilian Nite was the dancing.
Ehsan Mohandesi, a WSU student from Iran and Panzenhagen”s roommate, said he found Brazilian culture to be intriguing and wonderful. He said he only regretted the night did not provide more information about the culture.
Soraie Vasconcelos, secretary of the Brazilian Club at UI, was in charge of decorations and said this year went better than the last simply because it was more organized.
Vasconcelos said this may have been the last year for Brazilian Nite at the university.
With many Brazilians here from Ciência sem Fronteiras returning home in the coming year, the number of students in Brazilian Club will vastly diminish, making large events such as Brazilian Nite next to impossible to pull off.
As Vasconcelos spoke, three participants wearing women”s undergarments over their regular clothing performed a final song, enticing many in the audience to meet in the center of the International Ballroom and participate.
Singing and dancing together, the group wrapped up the night with the passion that began it in the first place.
Nina Rydalch can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @NinaRobin7