Fruity Hooties

Six blokes in fruit hats, all named some variation of Carmen, playing Latin tunes loud enough to move a street. The Fruity Hooties tip their hat to Carmen Miranda and back it with real playing: horns, rhythms you can dance to, and a percussion side that covers Brazilian samba, samba reggae, funk, Afro Cuban and West African drumming. Totally mobile, no PA needed, so they work parades, shopping centres, fetes and festivals where a stage was never part of the plan. Book them as a quintet or a trio, and a stilt walking Carmen can come along too. Victorian festival credits include Geelong's Pako Festival, the Manningham Multicultural festival, Melbourne Seniors Festival, the Brunswick Street Music festival and Stonnington Glow. Another Collin Bogaars creation, through Fun Arts Creative Entertainment.