New Orleans is sometimes called the northernmost city in the Caribbean. If it weren't for the lack of fanatacism over soccer, it might be the northernmost city in Brazil. Each with their own mix of native, European and African roots, unique music and outrageous Carnival seasons, they could be cut from the same cloth. Shaka Corbin is building a bridge between the two locales through the Hot Brazil Series, featuring Brazilian music, food, drinks and dance. A reunion of Blake Amos with his band, Saudade, headlines this evening at the Howlin' Wolf. They play axŽ samba, bossa nova and other styles of Brazilian music infused with more New Orleans-influenced beats. Amos will also join Bateria Zabumba! for a late-night percussion set based on the carnival sounds of Salvador, the coastal city in the culturally rich region of Bahia. DJ Jeff will spin other contemporary Brazilian sounds. Brazilian food and drinks will be offered as well, including caipirinhas, cocktails of lime juice and cachaca, a Brazilian sugarcane liquor. For food, try coxinha, fried chicken croquettes, or risoles, fried pastries with different fillings. Tickets $10. -- Will Coviello

9:30 p.m. Sat., July 29

HowlinÕ Wolf, 907 S. Peters St., 522-WOLF; www.howlin-wolf.com