The 2014 FIFA World Cup begins Thursday, and all eyes will be on host country Brazil. Here's a look at interpretations of familiar Brazilian tropes such as caipirinha cocktails, samba dancers, and carnival costumes, along with some new ideas. Planners take note: bookmark these ideas for inspiration in two years, when Rio de Janeiro hosts the Summer Olympics.
SushiSamba Coral Gables and Miami Beach locations have programmed a series of events dubbed "Mundial" to mark the World Cup. The beverage menu includes several varieties of caipirinhas made with the Brazilian spirit cachaça. Fans who take selfies at the events and include the #SambaSelfie hashtag will be entered in a contest giving away a trip to Brazil during Carnival 2015.
Photo: Ming Tang-Evans
Ardbeg hosted a World Cup-theme Scotch tasting May 29 at the Jack Rose Dining Saloon in Washington. Staff wore soccer uniforms in Brazil's colors of green and yellow and eye black athletic tape with the Ardbeg logo. Will Milligan Events planned the gathering, which also included foosball and one-on-one soccer match-ups with mini nets and goals.
Photo: Eli Turner Studios
Guests at the Ardbeg Scotch tasting could try out a vuvuzela—the ubiquitous horn-like instrument from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa which is banned from this year's tournament. Monogrammed soccer balls, T-shirts, and soccer scarves also were among the giveaways.
Photo: Eli Turner Studios
The official after-party for the Grammys in 2012 had a Rio Carnival theme, which the academy produced with Along Came Mary. The event's decor was rendered in bright colors and included buffet centerpieces inspired by the elaborate headdresses of Carnival dancers.
Photo: Line 8 Photography. All rights reserved.
Cookies served at the 2013 Havaianas Press Preview took the shape of flip-flops designed in the colors of Brazil's flag.
Photo: Courtesy of Havianas
Hors d'oeuvres from KG Fare Catering & Events at Havaianas 2013 Press Preview included paella on a stick.
Photo: Courtesy of Havianas
At the flip-flop a press preview for Havaianas in 2011, the menu from Ome Caterers included traditional brigadeiros (Brazilian-style chocolate truffles), flan, mini banana doughnuts dusted with cinnamon and sugar, and dulce de leche tarts.
Photo: Hal Horowitz
At an event in March celebrating Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro, SushiSamba Coral Gables in Florida hosted entertainers including traditional Brazilian batucada drummers. The restaurant also aired a live satellite feed of Brazilian Carnival.
Photo: Paul Clarke Photography
The March event at SushiSamba Coral Gables also featured samba dancers in traditional costume.
Photo: Courtesy of SushiSamba
At the 2011 opening-night party for Cirque du Soleil's Zarkana show, Brazilian cachaça brand Leblon served caipirinha cocktails and and set up a foosball table in the Brazilian national colors of green and yellow.
Photo: Jika González/BizBash
Capoeira Brasil Dancers performed the traditional martial art at Gen Art's "Ignite! A Multimedia Extravaganza" event in Los Angeles in 2006.
Photo: Courtesy of Gen Art
The 2013 Miami Children's Hospital's Diamond Ball had a Brazilian Carnival theme. The ballroom at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami had oversize birdcages containing dancers wearing feathered headdresses while batucada drums played in the background.
Photo: Courtesy of Miami Children's Hospital Diamond Ball
Samba dancers from South Beach staple Mango's Tropical Cafe welcomed more than 1,300 guests to the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce's 92nd annual dinner gala and silent auction, held May 10 at the Fontainebleau Hotel.
Photo: Al Ricketts/Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce
Mixologist Lillian Hargrove at Rhumbar at the Mirage Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas has created a special libation for the World Cup. Called the Brazilian Barbeque cocktail, the drink is a spin on the traditional caipirinha and includes Leblon Cachaca, Lagavulin single malt Scotch whiskey, rock-candy syrup, lime cubes, fresh watermelon juice, and sea salt.
Photo: Peter Harasty
For a sophisticated take on a Brazilian theme, event designer Billy Butchkavitz created a look for the HBO Golden Globes party in 2013 that took its inspiration from the patterns on the stone mosaic walkways of Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach.
Photo: Gabor Ekecs
At the Parkways Foundation's Galapalooza, a 2009 gala preceding Chicago's Lollapalooza music festival, Limelight Catering used Brazilian-style rotisserie skewers to serve roast beef sandwiches with horseradish cream.
Photos: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Grendene, a Brazilian company that makes Ipanema flip-flops and Rider footwear, brought an authentic Brazilian beach cart to serve drinks and snacks at its booth at the 2012 Surf Expo in Orlando's Orange County Convention Center.
Photo: Mitra Sorrells/BizBash
To promote the 20th Century Fox film Rio 2 earlier this year, NVE: The Experience Agency brought a billboard to life in Los Angeles. The stunt involved 15 samba dancers in full costume perched on a catwalk in front of the billboard, as well as more dancers below. A live parrot, macaw, and cockatoo added to the scene.
Photo: Doug Hac
Brazil-theme appetizers from Calihan Catering at a 2011 benefit for the Woman's Board of the Chicago Horticultural Society included jerk chicken on plantain chips with mango salsa. The event was held at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Photo: Tay Kaune for BizBash
The annual Brazilian Carnival Ball in Toronto always has a different take on a Brazilian theme. In 2009, pink spandex palm trees, crafted by Luis de Castro, decorated the reception area.
Photo: System 4 Productions Inc.
At a Rio-theme benefit for the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund Gala in 2007, event producer Showorks served appetizers at a live Carmen Miranda table.
Photo: BizBash
