A FESTIVAL celebrating Brazilian street culture is returning to Southend.

BrazilArte’s Cultura du Rua will be taking place between April 21 and 27, kicking off with a free open day, with workshops in Brazilian percussion and dance.

Another set of free workshops for children and adults in tradition Brazilian arts will follow between April 22 and 26, with samba drumming, Afro-Brazilian dance, martial arts capoeira and maculelê and Danca do Coco.

April 27 will see a series of paid workshops followed by traditional Brazilian banquet and party at The Esplanade, where there will be bands playing traditional Brazilian music including samba, pagode and forro, with a free dance workshop – proceeds go to children’s charities in Ceara, Brazil.

Sunday starts with a community carnival led by the BrazilArte Carnival Band from Victoria Plaza, down the High Street, finishing at Pier Hill where festivities will continue at the Royal Hotel with artists showcasing their work.

Guests from Australia, Hungary, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Poland and Brazil will be at the event, including Mestre Boa Gente, who featured on Michael Palin’s BBC documentary about Brazil and celebrates his 69th birthday during the festivities.

For more information visit www.brazilarte.org/festival-2014/