Note: This is a free members-only program and registration required. Please log in to register.

The semiquincentennial brings with it an opportunity to celebrate the identity and roots of some of the United States’ most vibrant cultural expressions. Music, notable among them, has a unique power to unite people because it operates on emotional, cultural, and social levels simultaneously, acting as a bridge to link people.

After opening remarks from Brazil’s ambassador to the United States, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, Georgetown University professor Bryan McCann spotlights the cross-pollination of bossa nova and New Orleans jazz and shares some of the key components of these unique art forms stemming from African rhythmic patterns. Following the lecture, Brazilian-born singer Rose Moraes gives a performance celebrating the heart and soul of bossa nova.   

The event takes place at the Brazilian ambassador’s residence and includes a light reception.

About the Enduring Power of International Exchange series

Hosted in partnership with Smithsonian's Office of Global Affairs and with embassies that have built strong, lasting relationships with the United States, this series honors the vital role doplomacy, cultural exchange, and mutual respect have played in shaping our nation and its place in the world. From the earliest days surrounding the signing of the Declaration of Independence to contemporary collaborations in science, art, and global affairs, embassiy relatinoships have helped advance dialogue and deepend understanding. In this milestone year, these programs underscore how international friendships—nurtured through history, culture, and creativity—continue to strengthen the American story. Each program is free, requires registration, and includes a reception.

This project received funding from the Smithsonian's "Our Shared Future: 250," a Smithsonian-wide initiative supported by private philanthropy and created to commemorate the nation's 250th anniversary and advance the Smithsonian vision for the next 250 years.

Additional Enduring Power of International Exchange programs

• June 24: Interwoven Knowledge: Indigenous Art and Scientific Research in the Peruvian Amazon (Registration begins in May)
• September 1: Princess Grace: Celebrating an Enduring Legacy (Registration begins in May)
• September 17: How Spain Supported the American Revolution: The Key Role of Bernardo de Gálvez (Registration begins in August)
• October 27: Science Without Borders: Italian Physicists in American Discoveries (Registration begins in September)

General Information

• Registration for this program will end by 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 7, 2026.