Friday Feb 21, 2014

Brazil Outside the Box

Eduardo Mendonça

Multi-talented Brazilian-American recording artist, producer, vocalist, composer, and musical arranger Show Brazil Productions and Brazil Center

Scribe: Megan Sweeters Editor: Jim Kindsvater

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In this issue

This week’s speaker was Eduardo Mendonca, with ‘Show Brazil’ Productions and Brazil Center.  Mr. Mendonca shared an “Outside the Box” look at Brazil; its culture, people, land and music.  With his guitar at hand and after playing some favorite tunes from native Brazil, this Brazilian American musician and producer brought stories of educating others about Brazil through his work with schools, museums, public service events and volunteer opportunities.  Brazil Fest is coming to the Seattle Center Armory on August 17th.  Don’t miss this chance to “spend a day in Brazil without leaving Seattle”.

Club Business included reports on the Student of the Month, Dictionary distribution, Rotarian of the Month, 10K update, PETS conference and Youth Community Service.

speaker program

Introduced by:  Rourke O’Brien

Eduardo Mendonca, with Show Brazil Productions and Brazil Center, shared an “Outside the Box” look at Brazil; its culture, people, land and music. Mendonca has performed in front of the Royal Court, Pope John Paul, the Dalai Lama, and shared some favorite tunes with the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club on Friday.  A native from Brazil, this Brazilian American musician and producer shared a view outside the stereotype of Brazil with a theme of “Imaging, Entertaining and Educating, Brazil “Outside the Box”.  Through his work with schools, museums, public service events and volunteer opportunities, along with partnerships with the Frye Art Museum, Burke Museum and Seattle Center, Eduardo Mendonca shares his vision and passion.

Brazil Fest is coming to the Seattle Center Armory on August 17th.  Show Brazil celebrates the culture of Brazil, with music and dance traditional and popular forms.  Don’t miss this chance to “spend a day in Brazil without leaving Seattle”!

Club business

President Scott Sadler opened the meeting with Nic Wildeman offering the invocation and pledge, and introductions of visiting Rotarians and Guests by Margie Burnett.

John Schwager announced the Norm Johnson/Golf Classic Silent Auction that took place during the meeting.  All proceeds are to go toward the upcoming BBRC Golf Classic.

Larry May introduced our Student of the Month, Melissa Hussey.  Melissa has attended Bellevue Christian since pre-school, and is now a Junior carrying a 3.99 GPA.  With a career decision made of becoming a Physical Therapist, she is currently in the process of narrowing her college search.

With the Jackson Five singing ABC and a word game revealing Read/Learn/Succeed, Colleen Turner and Rubin Ladlad announced that Dictionaries will be distributed to 270 5th graders in five Eastside Elementary schools in March.  Please contact Colleen to be involved in the visits and distribution.

President Scott Sadler announced the Rotarian of the Month for December was Colleen Turner for her outstanding efforts in coordinating the BBRC Holiday Program that benefited hundreds of families over the Holidays.

Reminder that the 10k is just around the corner and everyone’s participation is essential for its success!  More to come of the next few weeks!  “Why Not Us?”

Wendi Fischer gave a report on the PETS conference over this past weekend where Rotary Presidents from Alaska to Sacramento joined together to learn and share best practices.  Wendi expressed how proud she was to represent the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club and share with them all the wonderful things our club does!

Desiree Yuzawa and Joellen Monson gave a report on the current projects that the Youth Community Service committees are involved including RYLA, DECA, Student of the Month, Washington Business Week, Interact, Rotaract and Scholarships.

About the Speaker

Eduardo Mendonça, multitalented Brazilian-American recording artist, producer, vocalist, composer, and musical arranger, was born in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Mendonça traces his lineage to a royal African family bearing the hereditary title of Mama-Beka, prophet of the royal court.
Eduardo Mendonça is winner of: "Outstanding Brazilian Male Singer based in the U.S. "International Brazilian Press Award 2007 (Florida, USA),

Eduardo had the honor to play for Pope John Paul II’s welcome to Brazil, former South Africa President Nelson Mandela (Seattle,WA - USA - 1999), Brazilian President João Baptista Figueiredo (Brazil 1979), was featured in a Paul Simon documentary video in 1991, and performed twice for the 14th Dalai Lama (Seattle, WA 2008).