Marcos Valle - confirmed to headline at the Kazmier as part of 2015 Brazilica

THE Organisers of Liverpool’s hottest summer event, Brazilica, are delighted to reveal details of the 1st wave of bands signed up to perform as part of this year’s festival, which takes over the streets of Liverpool from Friday, 17 July to Sunday, 19 July 2015.

As part of this year’s festival, there will be a wide selection of fringe events taking place at venues across the City on the weeks building up to the main Carnival weekend.

Brazilian singer, instrumentalist, songwriter and record producer Marcos Valle will be performing at The Kazimier on Wednesday, 24 June 2015, ahead of his performances at some of the UK’s biggest music festivals this summer, and tickets are on sale now, with a limited number of Early Bird tickets for just £10.

The multi talented artist has produced over 300 songs spanning across bossa nova, samba and fusions of jazz, soul and dance genres, for artists all over the world including Elis Regina, Tim Maia, Roberto Carlos, Chicago, Sarah Vaughn and Dizzy Gillespie.

During the 90’s in Europe, US and Japan his work was remixed by DJ’s creating a whole new dance floor genre. Having accrued a huge following since his arrival on the music scene, Marcos has had over 20 widely successful albums including Escape and Contrasts and has toured extensively across the globe.

Maeve Morris of Liverpool Carnival Company said:- “It has been a dream to have Marcos Valle confirm and be a part of Brazilica. He is an amazing artist and respected all over the world, with an incredible catalogue of albums and musical collaborations and personally I can't wait. It will be a sensational evening and a great start to Brazilica 2015, with plenty more announcements to come.”

There is double excitement as Nubiyan Twist and Afrosamba have also been confirmed, and will be appearing at:- 'The Kazimier' on Friday, 10 July 2015.

Leeds and London based 12 piece band Nubiyan Twist, fuse groove driven music from around the world with sound system culture and jazz inspired improvisation. A culmination of musicians, dj's and producers alike, the band strives to encourage artistic and social unity between different cultures and musical styles.

Over the band's 3 year lifespan they have collaborated with Ruby Wood (Submotion Orchestra) and played alongside the likes of De La Soul, Hot 8 Brass Band and Quantic to name just a few. With 2 - one-off releases under their belt and an EP released October 2014, Nubiyan Twist are now working on their debut album.

Afrosamba, led by singer songwriter and guitarist Pilo Adami, have been part of Brazilica since performing at the 1st Carnival Queen competition 5 years ago, and organisers are delighted to welcome them back for 2015. The 8 piece band is set to bring an exciting assortment of their mix of traditional and original songs with their own unique blend of Brazilian funk and samba.

Further announcements will be made when entertainment and activities are confirmed.

To get involved in Brazilica Festival 2015 as a sponsor or volunteer please visit the website.

6 year old girl bitten by pit bull

ON Tuesday, 28 April 2015, a 6 year old girl was bitten by a dog in Waterloo, Merseyside. The girl was taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital where we are informed at time of publishing this report, she is still in a stable condition. The dog which was seized by police has now been subject to examination which has confirmed that it is a pit bull breed which is banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Merseyside Police have also confirmed that Lee Jay Cluskey, 19 years, Waterloo, has since been charged with being the owner/person in control of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury. We are told that he was also charged with obstructing Police. Cluskey is due to appear before South Sefton Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 20 May 2015. No further action is being taken against a 17 year old female, from Crosby, who was also arrested in connection with the incident.

RIP Phil Rodwell - aka OTS (1957 to 2015)

HE was best known as 'Onthespot', via the online forum website Southport.GB.COM, that he set up with Steve Ashcroft, back in 1999 and later broke away from that site to form a new site that was based on his online name, OTS. Phil Rodwell was a well known face in and around Southport and will be missed by all his family and many friends. We we might have had different views on how to report the news and what is news, but we have always had a huge amount of respect for him. All of us at Southport and Mersey Reporter are saddened to learn of his death, that was 1st reported on his website, OTS.

Phil was aged 57 and are are informed that he died peacefully on 25 April 2015, surrounded by his family. He was the loving husband to Karen, father of Joel and the late Mark. Plus Phil was also the grandfather to Oliver, Theo, Felix and Tiger Ryan. Funeral arrangements have been announced and will take place on Wednesday, 6 May 2015. A service will be held at St Cuthbert’s Parish Church, Southport, at 2pm, followed by a committal service for family and close friends at Southport Crematorium, at 3.20pm.  Our thoughts go out to his family.

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