IT was carnival time every Friday and Saturday night in Southport with a new Brazilian dinner and show that took the Gold Coast by storm in December 2006.
After a successful five-year stint in Brisbane, the Brazilian Touch show launched on the
Gold Coast to a capacity 200-strong crowd of politicians and VIPs on November 14,
receiving huge acclaim and a standing ovation.
The show was booked solid with Christmas parties and other special events in December 2006.
Brazilian Touch director/ head chef Alex Lima created a high-energy, spectacular show
full of audience participation, athletic capoeira, drumming, singing and about 35 colourful,
dazzling beaded costumes, feather headpieces and tribal outfits worth thousands of dollars.
Diners can join the conga line, salsa the night away and feel the pulsing rhythms of Brazil.
The Brazilian barbeque buffet Churrasco (ponounced shoo-RAS-koo) is also tantalising as
it introduces Aussies to the traditional staple food of southern Brazil, Rio de Janeiro and
Sao Paulo.
At Brazilian Touch, diners experience ‘churrascaria de rodizio’ as waiters bring different
types of skewered flame-grilled meat to the tables from which they slice portions on to
plates.
Mr Lima was born in Brazil and began dancing and training with Brazilian chefs in Sao
Paulo 25 years ago. He lived in the UK for 11 years before moving to Brisbane in February
2001.
The show continues to run every Friday and Saturday night in Brisbane, but unfortunately is not at Essence on the Gold Coast anymore as the venue has closed down.
Mr Lima dreamed of bringing a touch of Brazil to Australia five years ago and he is fast spreading his wings and his distinctive style and enthusiasm. He hopes to open the dinner and show at another location on the Gold Coast in 2007 with a team of about 9 dancers and an MC.
“The dining with an interactive dance experience is my main goal and aim, incorporating a traditional Brazilian dance show with Brazilian food, service and ambience to create an experience that is fun, different and uniquely Brazilian,” Mr Lima said.
“A night at Brazilian Touch is vibrant, exotic, colourful and full of energy. With a traditional
Brazilian dance show and a feast of Brazilian cuisine, you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of
a carnival partying - Brazil style.”
Brazilian Touch is held at 18 McLachlan St, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. Doors open at
6.30pm, dinner is at 7pm and the show is on at 9pm every Friday and Saturday. The venue
is also open Tuesday to Thursday from 6pm to 9pm for all you can eat Brazilian-style pizza
for $15. During November, it offers a special two-for-one deal on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Tickets are $58, which must be pre-booked and purchased from Brazilian Touch on
1300 302 546. For more details, visit www.braziliantouch.com.au
