Brazilian-style carnival comes to Eugene.

Byline: LEWIS TAYLOR The Register-Guard

THREE YEARS AGO, while in Brazil teaching English, Andrea Callahan discovered a side of herself she didn't know she had.

"My friends introduced me to music," Callahan said. "My very last days (in Brazil) were spent playing music and dancing in the parades of carnival."

Now Callahan, who plays music with the Eugene collective Samba Ja (see accompanying story), is hoping others will discover Brazilian music and culture at Carnival Brazil.

A fund-raiser loosely based on Brazil's colorful pre-Lenten street carnival, the event will take place Saturday at the Erb Memorial Union ballroom.

Proceeds will benefit Students Helping Street Kids International, a Eugene-based organization that helps Brazilian and Tanzanian children.

"It seemed to be a perfect fit, to have a wonderful Brazilian carnival, and we've never really done that in Eugene," said Callahan, who serves

as deputy director for Students Helping Street Kids International. "I know Seattle does it and other cities in the United States do this.

`And so, I thought, it's time for Eugene to do it, because people love Brazilian music and dance."

Callahan, who plays a wooden instrument called a chocolho, will be one of the many musicians performing Saturday.

The evening will begin with a Brazilian dance lesson followed by a performance by the bossa nova group Sun Bossa. There will be a demonstration of capoeira - a fluid mix of martial arts, dance and gymnastics - and DJs will spin Brazilian music while giant puppets and costumed dancers make the rounds.

"We're hoping this will become our signature event in Eugene," said Bob Crites, founder of Students Helping Street Kids International.

"When you're thinking of fund-raising ideas, you try to think of a fun way to make money that will attract people and make them want to come back after they've been to it once."

In addition to raising money, Crites hopes Carnival Brazil will raise the visibility of his group, which he founded six years ago. The organization helps students in the United States set up scholarship funds for individual students in Brazil or Tanzania.

Now active in 30 schools, including some in Eugene and Springfield, the group hopes to raise $45,000 this year.

"I've always been interested in students learning more about the world they live in, especially the developing world, and in learning about the poverty that two-thirds of the world's children experience," Crites said.

"I want them to be more involved in the world, and I think this is an absolutely perfect vehicle for helping them to expand their knowledge."

CARNIVAL BRAZIL

WHAT: Brazilian cultural celebration featuring music and dance, a benefit for the Eugene-based organization Students Helping Street Kids International

WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Erb Memorial Union ballroom, 1222 E. 13th Ave.

TICKETS: $10 advance, $12 at the door; $8 advance, $10 at the door for college students; $6 advance, $8 at the door for high school students

ONLINE INFO: For more information on Students Helping Street Kids International, go to www.helpthekids.org

CAPTION(S):

Gladys Campbell plays chocolho in the Samba Ja percussion line. The drum and dance troupe will headline Saturday's Carnival Brazil on campus. Lenten ventin'