A Hot Month for Sounds of Rio in L.A.

February is turning out to be an especially abundant month for aficionados of Brazilian music. “Oba Oba ‘92,” a new production of the lush, sexy, music-and-dance extravaganza, opens Wednesday at the Pantages and continues through March 22. It features singer Eliana Estevao as a special guest.

A considerably more involving experience can be had at “Brazilian Carnaval ‘92,” on Feb. 29 at the Hollywood Palladium. This year’s program includes four Brazilian bands, a company of sambista dancers, a costume parade and contest, and a variety of vendors and artisans selling Brazilian crafts and goods. If the event is anything like past installments, “Carnaval ‘92” will hit its stride in the late hours in an atmosphere of unrestrained revelry that comes about as close as one can get to Rio’s version of Mardi Gras without making a lengthy plane trip.

A sampling of other Brazilian festival events around Southern California includes three events sponsored by the Brazilian Club of California:

* The “Green and Yellow Carnaval,” scheduled Saturday at 5315 W. McFadden Ave. in Santa Ana, will feature live music and fantasy costume contests. For information, call (714) 974-8275.

* The “Red and Red Carnaval,” scheduled for Feb. 29 at Yolie’s Restaurant, 2646 DuPont Drive in Irvine, will have live music and a fantasy costume contest. For information, call (714) 251-0722.

A festival event for young people, with a costume contest, will also be held at Yolie’s on next Sunday.

* Three evenings will be devoted to “Carnaval L.A.,” Friday, and Feb. 28 and 29 at the Copacabana Grill and Restaurant, 1562 N. Cahuenga Blvd., with live music each night. For information, call (213) 957-0616.

The VHS videotape, “Secrets of Brazilian Music,” can be purchased through Music Source International, P.O. Box 46758, Kansas City, Mo. 64118.