FUNK PARADE
Flagship Touring Cultural Program
FUNK PARADE is an annually touring program created and directed by Luara Brandao through INBRAZA, designed to celebrate the history, evolution, and global impact of Baile Funk through music, education, and community-led experiences.
Operating across Australia and New Zealand, the project brings together emerging artists, international guests, DJs, dancers, visual artists, and local communities through large-scale events, festival activations, and public cultural programming.
More than a music event, FUNK PARADE was developed as a platform for cultural exchange, connecting Australia’s underground creative scene with the origins of Baile Funk in Brazil while creating pathways for local artists to grow nationally and internationally.
The program has supported over 85 artists across its touring editions and reached 8,000+ attendees annually through independent events, festival partnerships, and public activations.
A key milestone of the project was the Melbourne street activation, an 11-hour open-access event attracting 600+ attendees and integrating sound system culture, food vendors, art exhibitions, and live performances into a multi-sensory cultural experience.
FUNK PARADE has also facilitated international artist collaborations, including bringing Brazilian artists to tour across Australia, while strengthening cultural exchange between Brazil and Australia through strategic partnerships and community engagement.
Supported by the Government of Espírito Santo (Brazil), the project represents INBRAZA’s ongoing commitment to building sustainable cultural infrastructure, developing emerging talent, and expanding the global presence of Afro-diasporic culture through music and collaboration.
KEY METRICS:
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8,000+ attendees annually across touring programs and activations
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85+ artists supported through performances and collaborations
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Delivered across Australia & New Zealand
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11-hour Melbourne street activation
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600+ attendees at flagship public event
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International artist collaborations between Brazil and Australia
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Supported by the Government of Espírito Santo (Brazil)
PRESS
"Espírito Santo culture gained international visibility through the participation of local artists in Funk Parade, a festival celebrating Baile Funk in Australia. The initiative was created by Luara Brandao, an Espírito Santo-born cultural director based in Australia and founder of INBRAZA, first Baile Funk platform in the country. This cultural exchange supported by the Secretaria da Cultura do Espírito Santo (SECULT)."
