Bunting flags, boiled corn, and lots of forró. The typical June scene from cities in Brazil’s Northeast came alive right on Yonge Street during the first edition of Arraiá On Yonge. Open to the public, the event was organized by My BIA on Saturday (21st) and brought the Brazilian community together in Toronto.
According to the event organizers, more than 10,000 people attended in the heart of Midtown, specifically in the area between Manor Rd and Belsize Dr. Around 40 vendors participated, and music was performed by artists Joy Brandt, Stefanie, Zeca Polina, Maracatu Mar Aberto, and Orquestra Zabumba.
Living in Canada for 14 years, singer Joy Brandt from Pernambuco prepared a special show for the occasion, with a setlist full of forró classics along with her original songs.
“I created this show for the Arraiá because there’s no denying our roots. I come from the Northeast and have been immersed in forró since I was very young,” she said.
Speaking about her performance, she highlighted the audience’s engagement, the strength of the setlist—which withstands time and is part of Brazilian history—and her ongoing desire to create something new that showcases the rich musical and theatrical expression of Northeastern culture.
“The setlist came naturally because these are songs I’ve listened to for a long time, but I always try to add something new—like a wind toy, a rattle, or experimental-sounding instruments,” she concluded.
Quadrilha and Maracatu
Another major highlight of the event was the quadrilha dance, which brought together hundreds of couples and turned the street into a true terreiro junino (festival ground). From bowing to ladies and gentlemen to dancing through the tunnel, all participants radiated joy and showcased the strength of Brazilian culture.
In addition to traditional forró, maracatu also had a place at the Arraiá. The group Maracatu Mar Aberto brought their percussion instruments and delivered the best of this Afro-Brazilian rhythm from Pernambuco, featuring baque virado and other styles.
Based in Canada, Maracatu Mar Aberto defines itself as a living tradition of maracatu in a local context—not just a folkloric representation—working collectively to preserve the art and heritage of Maracatu de Baque Virado.
Intro Class
For those less familiar with Brazilian dance moves, an introductory forró class was offered by the dance school Forró For All Toronto. From the classic “two to the left, two to the right” steps to bolder moves, the public had the chance to learn from experts and feel confident dancing at the Arraiá.
Forró For All operates at 115 The Esplanade and aims to “keep the forró community alive by offering quality weekly dance classes in a friendly, respectful, and welcoming environment.”
Expectations Exceeded
Arraiá On Yonge also gave a boost to Brazilian businesses that embraced the event. Stalls selling accessories, food, and drinks saw heavy foot traffic.
At Samba Brazil Eatery, for instance, demand was five times higher than expected. The restaurant, known for its signature pastel, has a branch on Yonge Street and also set up a booth at the festival to meet the high demand.
“Fortunately, we far exceeded our expectations. In these six years we’ve been operating, we’ve seen growing interest, and an event like this proves that we’re doing a good job,” said chef Lucas Resende as he prepared yet another beef pastel.
