tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23653614397737294942024-03-20T05:48:15.688-04:00ManhattanlândiaLiving in Brazil with a New York addressRebecca Alperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754732930439560544noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365361439773729494.post-52021344810769751052012-03-10T22:07:00.002-05:002012-03-10T22:12:14.090-05:00Mohawks All Around: Neymar for Santander<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fHTpXrXjV9eElg3k_hogwfXazbdOSRgfj5Edqg55nOmZZhv9sNO612N1qxuL7vEWQ3XJh7HqKIInYwHhl36ev7-0INvfPkRgQW44LItwSaNFI0meJfDKtzD89B5YmqePuCTbigckFo1p/s1600/santander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fHTpXrXjV9eElg3k_hogwfXazbdOSRgfj5Edqg55nOmZZhv9sNO612N1qxuL7vEWQ3XJh7HqKIInYwHhl36ev7-0INvfPkRgQW44LItwSaNFI0meJfDKtzD89B5YmqePuCTbigckFo1p/s640/santander.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheers to the guy or girl who realized Neymar's hair looks just like the Santander logo!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Brazilian bank, Santander, released a new television commercial starring Neymar, who signed on as the bank's spokesperson in November. By associating its logo with Neymar's hair, Santander promotes its services as a way to "be serious without giving up being a kid."</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://2.gvt0.com/vi/Z_rh6o6RaPI/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z_rh6o6RaPI&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z_rh6o6RaPI&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>Rebecca Alperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754732930439560544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365361439773729494.post-37421360862638373302012-03-01T13:46:00.000-05:002012-03-01T13:46:56.565-05:00Brazilian Carnaval in New York City, Saturday, March 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OdfiaOS7zHFSm_h4ABXAkVco-h8Xw3Yzd6BZJoMN4YqZjZj1rTT92ZI_MXRWFtZn34gxo2fmthSEDx4C1v7hfgd5zvxKEAwOExLkhHA15UeM8-CmdiaH-Tf32sEv9XrYuuBM7qoSpjZU/s1600/Beleza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OdfiaOS7zHFSm_h4ABXAkVco-h8Xw3Yzd6BZJoMN4YqZjZj1rTT92ZI_MXRWFtZn34gxo2fmthSEDx4C1v7hfgd5zvxKEAwOExLkhHA15UeM8-CmdiaH-Tf32sEv9XrYuuBM7qoSpjZU/s1600/Beleza.jpg" /></a></div>Rebecca Alperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754732930439560544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365361439773729494.post-38777566695057205362012-03-01T11:54:00.002-05:002012-03-02T07:33:16.275-05:00Gymfabulous: Brazilian Fitness Fashion<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_B1nUc-_M5cOvQcFPGVwtOn9-fPdy8yOO56BFOjWksPpFz__YD5w117qCklJwPaqkpjtmDPNIuFZTo_1jWDYsSmN-823s8qBv7mv9VZ0CzPHgfhFbHsqpnHz-waZRlOh1t0jrfStqUXk/s1600/gymfabulous1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_B1nUc-_M5cOvQcFPGVwtOn9-fPdy8yOO56BFOjWksPpFz__YD5w117qCklJwPaqkpjtmDPNIuFZTo_1jWDYsSmN-823s8qBv7mv9VZ0CzPHgfhFbHsqpnHz-waZRlOh1t0jrfStqUXk/s640/gymfabulous1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://vividrezzagalvao.blogspot.com/2011/02/moda-das-academias.html"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fashion by Vivian blog</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've all seen that woman at the gym who, in her multicolored leotard and high socks, looks like she time traveled from a 1980's dance studio to your modern-day New York gym. This woman may or may not be Brazilian, but her style would surely be welcomed in the country's academias (Portuguese for gym).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwp5RpNFoarQpW-eUhxzUEcxvxHaFMNYogscwDrcrSNJBD6W5hBIQgQHYxsvxkWZCtAX5Xpa4y3sYJOXff6oF2HE1wRINtlFoUbL6pmkvNRkREXz5GrfFyEVtMRu2EXQJNxENK7y_Gp0F/s1600/gymfabulous5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwp5RpNFoarQpW-eUhxzUEcxvxHaFMNYogscwDrcrSNJBD6W5hBIQgQHYxsvxkWZCtAX5Xpa4y3sYJOXff6oF2HE1wRINtlFoUbL6pmkvNRkREXz5GrfFyEVtMRu2EXQJNxENK7y_Gp0F/s400/gymfabulous5.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.temestilo.com.br/produto-101/moda-fitness/macacao-samira-ref:192sl?gclid=CIHx18ryxa4CFYwj7AodaXCwrg"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Macacão Samira - temestilo.com.br</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When in New York City, my running shorts and frayed, stained t-shirts are totally acceptable at a NYSC or Crunch, but for my Brazilian sweat sessions, I reserve my fitted tanks and spandex. </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still, my black and grey ensembles don't seem adequate when compared to the workout wardrobes of the women at the gym </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been frequenting in Minas Gerais. Many of these women, including my Mineira friend and workout companion,</span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> wear </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">bold colors and dizzying designs that appear painted on their bodies. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How can't you enjoy your workout when you are perspiring ROYGBIV? And somehow, even with only one strap or no back, these jumpsuits and skimpy sports bras lend enough support to carry these women through their workouts. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've seriously considered investing in one of these kaleidoscopic cat suits, but I'm not certain I have the confidence of our 1980's flash-dance time traveler to make use of my purchase once I'm back in New York. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUFwO1x-dN-_MSben6Hk-ciTRoM47PbF7x9O7OlgmnFQz2XdlKeM4-7DlUd5v0HeRyKQ6OwKGn1rGP57U3iyl3ItK8Kw1VozmfeeCdGVRMYtKDx3qR7EYjVbIwVyQhVE75mQcvbkcibtl/s1600/gymfabulous4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUFwO1x-dN-_MSben6Hk-ciTRoM47PbF7x9O7OlgmnFQz2XdlKeM4-7DlUd5v0HeRyKQ6OwKGn1rGP57U3iyl3ItK8Kw1VozmfeeCdGVRMYtKDx3qR7EYjVbIwVyQhVE75mQcvbkcibtl/s640/gymfabulous4.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.cliquefacil.net/super-dicas-de-moda-para-academia-para-voce-arrasar/"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Super dicas de moda para academia - cliquefacil.net</span></a></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Rebecca Alperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754732930439560544noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365361439773729494.post-32005749708526854632012-02-29T10:31:00.003-05:002012-03-02T07:33:32.210-05:00Brazilian Stereotypes Inside and Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FFFyp_mDSe25rEnNqWKTGYwNgQJbxu8cDYQ9oKpCj-hIukh6UEUTMpigbMt8ZVg2zNIiqGgef53laP6k9RoLMFtUC-PYx5c0syt6LHm98WRVuRe5qyHg49BgQv7s5mpKvP6FT4Vklwgn/s1600/Brazillian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FFFyp_mDSe25rEnNqWKTGYwNgQJbxu8cDYQ9oKpCj-hIukh6UEUTMpigbMt8ZVg2zNIiqGgef53laP6k9RoLMFtUC-PYx5c0syt6LHm98WRVuRe5qyHg49BgQv7s5mpKvP6FT4Vklwgn/s640/Brazillian.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This image was bouncing around on Facebook the other day. And I've seen similar renditions depicting other nationalities and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151316897740363&set=a.10150343265875363.581028.503635362&type=1" target="_blank">U.S. States</a>. While I usually don't pay much attention to this type of viral social media, I've had some recent experiences that made me especially sensitive to the issue at hand. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The images in the top row are meant to represent what foreigners associate with Brazilians. </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would bet, however, that most non-Brazilians don't know nearly enough about Brazil to associate the country with its indigenous populations. I still meet ("educated") people in New York City who think Brazilians speak Spanish! Instead, when these people think of Brazil, they think of soccer, Gisele Bündchen, beaches and bikinis. The poster could read like this:</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What people think we play:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLV2HhV2O5lEJruyf1quAL0vdvudQeROsAWgUj2G3oEJF3DSCP8SSd3VHxNcv2-hX56IOvULkKsidymuY_dQVVW5jEgL3gq0jM1Lz_Wjwu3tcPqvmAJj_p9LlKQX5XOfRBJ2rb2U6lFIRK/s1600/neymar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLV2HhV2O5lEJruyf1quAL0vdvudQeROsAWgUj2G3oEJF3DSCP8SSd3VHxNcv2-hX56IOvULkKsidymuY_dQVVW5jEgL3gq0jM1Lz_Wjwu3tcPqvmAJj_p9LlKQX5XOfRBJ2rb2U6lFIRK/s320/neymar.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How people think we look:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYP0E_ssW9MsEQ4o1c99wVENYl7w9NJRmnelIFxVuEw9Vp5AQ0fmJemAK0glBYWh___cs5Oy_DPFz-X6_dU50YuSs7VlBKW-5YpdJ-SOuu2oTu83a5quSQdEFWhY3wPaXUYxgUyN6n-QZ9/s1600/gisele.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYP0E_ssW9MsEQ4o1c99wVENYl7w9NJRmnelIFxVuEw9Vp5AQ0fmJemAK0glBYWh___cs5Oy_DPFz-X6_dU50YuSs7VlBKW-5YpdJ-SOuu2oTu83a5quSQdEFWhY3wPaXUYxgUyN6n-QZ9/s320/gisele.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What people think we wear:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXW8NMVZKyhBH88iloU_8_OlwSiZAxzgtaZxeoZDDKgjs9DMVhLKWbwoAFeBF9JsHMzqLkGzOy_sYKrTGbVXkV0QnY0WPT29OTyyYQzsUodHYBYvihmRYQPrABE1fV8IJxFmvgxlSneeY/s1600/brazilianbikini.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXW8NMVZKyhBH88iloU_8_OlwSiZAxzgtaZxeoZDDKgjs9DMVhLKWbwoAFeBF9JsHMzqLkGzOy_sYKrTGbVXkV0QnY0WPT29OTyyYQzsUodHYBYvihmRYQPrABE1fV8IJxFmvgxlSneeY/s320/brazilianbikini.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These pictures could be followed by images of Ayrton Senna to represent Brazil's top notch race-car drivers, some less attractive celebrity or average-looking citizen to counter the idea that all Brazilians are top models, and maybe a photo of Avenida Paulista crowded with businesspeople in suits to show that Brazilian are professionals, not only beach bums. I admit I'm having fun with stereotypes. But, seriously, if one were to keep the images in the poster as is, I would suggest changing the title.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Instead of reading "Brazilian," the poster should read "Paraense" or "Northern Brazilian." </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The true culprits of the type of cultural ignorance denounced in the poster, are, in my experience, Brazilians themselves. Many people who've grown up in the world class cities of São Paulo and Rio and in other parts of Southern and Southeast Brazil, have never bothered to visit (or learn about) other state capitals like Belém, Pará or Manaus, Amazonas. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most of the Brazilians I meet in New York City have never been to Northern Brazil and ask me how I ended up living in Belém of all places. The answer is that I was studying environmental issues in the Amazon, of which Belém and Pará are a part. But Belém and its neighboring Manaus are major cities with all the typical characteristics of urban centers, a far cry from the remote tribal villages depicted in the poster. How could world-class DJ <a href="http://www.festabelem.com.br/site/noticias/noticias-regionais/59-shows/361-david-guetta-fara-show-em-belem.html" target="_blank">David Guetta</a> play a show in Belém in a straw-thatched hut? Would Manaus have been chosen to host <a href="http://www.copa2014.gov.br/arena/manaus" target="_blank">World Cup 2012</a> matches if it were going to convert a dirt patch usually used for tribal ceremonies into a soccer field?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Northern Brazilian cities' proximity to the world's most bio-diverse eco-region and some of its last remaining indigenous communities is something to be proud of, not something to deny. The Amazon has bestowed its urban centers with a culture and cuisine that is unlike any other in Brazil or the world. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So to you "Brazilians," come on up and get to know your own country. You can experience the culture in a theater, eat local cuisine at fine restaurants, and party at bars and clubs. But of course, if you are more adventurous, you can always hop on a boat headed up the Amazon river, strip down to your skivvies, paint your face, and hunt some jaguar, since after all, stereotypes are based in some truth. </span>Rebecca Alperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754732930439560544noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365361439773729494.post-56907586795059217322012-02-13T12:08:00.002-05:002012-03-02T07:30:27.661-05:00Sending Love from Brazil<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm holding up in Brazil for a little while escaping the not-so-blustery New York winter. While it's great to get away from the cold and dark, it's less wonderful to be away from the people I love on Valentines day. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">February 14th is not Valentines Day is Brazil, </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but I still found a way to add a little Brazilian flavor to my romantic routine.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv03TkuJvkNVrJv-p8Wp9Pomm0Js_ggZNe3Sz11m3S-dv2lENoHge8dBSxFQIKyhlQ3pt6H1lJWrcW5o4gDQXqXy1udMDEU0VZeyLnEp6kVjHAVJng4o_FuHxMSHy5u5iBwmAzYyp_Ox4b/s1600/valentines.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv03TkuJvkNVrJv-p8Wp9Pomm0Js_ggZNe3Sz11m3S-dv2lENoHge8dBSxFQIKyhlQ3pt6H1lJWrcW5o4gDQXqXy1udMDEU0VZeyLnEp6kVjHAVJng4o_FuHxMSHy5u5iBwmAzYyp_Ox4b/s400/valentines.png" width="400" /></a></span></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brigadeiro is a signature Brazilian sweet made from chocolate, condensed milk, and butter rolled into bite-sized balls. No party or festivity is complete without them, including Dia dos Namorados, Brazil's Lover's Day on June 12. Although Brazilians won't officially celebrate their romantic relationships for another five months, the owners of <a href="http://www.mysweetbrigadeiro.com/" target="_blank">My Sweet Brigadeiro</a> in New York's Financial District are whipping up a special batch of love-inspired sweets.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buy your box of brigadeiro in person at their storefront on <a href="http://www.mysweetbrigadeiro.com/mysweet.com/my_sweet___contact.html" target="_blank">Broad Street</a> or order one to be shipped directly to your loved one's doorstep.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See a write up of My Sweet Brigadeiro in the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/16/dining/16brazil.html" target="_blank">New York Times</a>.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvutwV8UATdE2get3cOs28h521cXgbD9LBB8Vxyv3w1gxyiaHwyX0OEEp7y0KSnO1tJkvWm2UkAgpnnUO5HUb3JN-sxlQ1HtCftY5L1IrjfMEgWISPTVnaPvDgK62ym8-sjbdl5TQHe9Lh/s1600/lovepot.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvutwV8UATdE2get3cOs28h521cXgbD9LBB8Vxyv3w1gxyiaHwyX0OEEp7y0KSnO1tJkvWm2UkAgpnnUO5HUb3JN-sxlQ1HtCftY5L1IrjfMEgWISPTVnaPvDgK62ym8-sjbdl5TQHe9Lh/s320/lovepot.png" width="320" /></a></div>Rebecca Alperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754732930439560544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365361439773729494.post-34178107503103093632012-02-07T12:57:00.001-05:002012-03-02T07:30:56.249-05:00Singer Mônica da Silva Straddles America and the Amazon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Dj0K63UDU8YmelPLKDnLxhLCBtgW5mTgO-wxR_Ex9XPN5TBRP4EUQK4h5ZlpaiBOwbJled7HJkzluaRdOnoWn9ziq_lHlfPTltR-fEACwWFJDlheSTCZSJmL0Bc7h1Hn5FU5WM1eXYGY/s1600/Monica_da_Silva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Dj0K63UDU8YmelPLKDnLxhLCBtgW5mTgO-wxR_Ex9XPN5TBRP4EUQK4h5ZlpaiBOwbJled7HJkzluaRdOnoWn9ziq_lHlfPTltR-fEACwWFJDlheSTCZSJmL0Bc7h1Hn5FU5WM1eXYGY/s640/Monica_da_Silva.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I recently <a href="http://www.soundsandcolours.com/reviews/music-reviews/putumayo-world-music-brazilian-beat/" target="_blank">reviewed for Sounds and Colours</a> Putumayo’s newest world music compilation, <i>Brazilian Beats</i>. In writing the review, I did a little research on each artist in the collection and was excited to discover that one of the artists on the album, <a href="http://www.monicadasilva.com/" target="_blank">Mônica da Silva</a>, has roots in Belém, my home away from home.</span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I love all of Brazil, I have a soft spot in my heart for Belém since it’s the Brazilian city I know best, and since its out of the way Amazon location translates into relative neglect by, well, just about everyone. Most Brazilians I meet in New York City have never been to Belém. Unless you work in natural resource extraction or agriculture, or you love nature vacations, you might never think to visit. But Belém, the State of Pará and all of Norhtern Brazil is, culturally speaking, one of the richest areas in the whole country.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mônica da Silva sings in both English and Portuguese, tossing together alt rock, folk rock, bossa nova, and MPB tracks in her newest album, <i>Brasilissima</i>. Although her Portuguese language songs are influenced more by Brazilian Popular Music than by the sounds of native Belém, her genealogical and emotional connections to the city are quite notable. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I asked Mônica to share a few stories and experiences from the city we both love so much. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tell us more about your family’s story in Belém.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My grandfather, Manuel Pinto da Silva, was born in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal, just south of the city of Porto. He and his family came to Belém do Pará, Brasil when he was 15 in search of more opportunity. Being that Brazil was such a new country, they thought that it was the place to go. His father, Camilo Pinto da Silva, started a public transportation company, a bus line. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
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<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My grandmother's name was Maria Moura, and she was born in Belém. Maria's parents were both professional musicians. They both died when she was little, and she and her sister were raised in an orphanage. She later became a teacher. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
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<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Manuel met my grandmother, when she came to his office to ask him if he would reroute the bus to come near the school where she taught. He agreed to send the bus to her school the very next day. To her surprise, he came to pick her up in his own car, instead. They fell in love, and were married shortly after. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
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<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What's the story behind the building </b></span><b style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">named after your grandfather?</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiXTbOdbalLagunCs6ojpxFpoSp92KqZ_1Kpx4BcXq0lstM8s_EoxX__P0uE7oufF9z2tiI9VhxJzExeM2NP107eKJeZsQx7ZWUTAym0jTOz6WfrHT2YidWxEvhoH40YY8GesGl7k3BXC/s1600/belemdoparacombr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiXTbOdbalLagunCs6ojpxFpoSp92KqZ_1Kpx4BcXq0lstM8s_EoxX__P0uE7oufF9z2tiI9VhxJzExeM2NP107eKJeZsQx7ZWUTAym0jTOz6WfrHT2YidWxEvhoH40YY8GesGl7k3BXC/s400/belemdoparacombr.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=700910&page=2" target="_blank">Edifício Manuel Pinto da Silva</a> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Manuel envisioned the building he wanted to construct. When it was built, in 1950, it was the 16th tallest building in the world, and the tallest building in Northern Brazil, if not in the whole country. Being that it was so undeveloped in that part of Brazil, the people of Belém were fearful when they saw the height of the building. Oscar Niemeyer, the guy who designed the capital city of Brasilia, came to Belém to look over the plans, and confirmed that the structure was sound. He assured the people that they were in no danger. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <br />
<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What brought you to the States and where are you based now? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My father is American, from Michigan. He spent a few years in Belém, while he served in the Peace Corps. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>He fell in love with the country, the language, the lifestyle and with my mother! They moved from Brazil to the U.S., where my father had lined up a job. I was born in the U.S. Being a citizen of both countries, I've spent my whole life going back and forth between the Midwest and Belém. Both places are like night and day different. I feel equally at home in the snow or in the blazing, jungle heat. I guess this diversity has made me super open minded and easy going. I live in Miami Beach now. I just moved here about 6 months ago.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What do you miss most about Belém?<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></b><b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOCz0mn7G9VQmvDP_kGxsi9jpR5qGkB41OqsytyYRx3EApe9opWf_cBLq7Sb4EtjEh-gi8Ev0PEWjFre-rWZZP2qivhBFb1R3VPGlVH_nqlRPcTY3XKn2YKBUddjP2Zi9qOXBw3YD0Uc_/s1600/View+From+The+Boat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOCz0mn7G9VQmvDP_kGxsi9jpR5qGkB41OqsytyYRx3EApe9opWf_cBLq7Sb4EtjEh-gi8Ev0PEWjFre-rWZZP2qivhBFb1R3VPGlVH_nqlRPcTY3XKn2YKBUddjP2Zi9qOXBw3YD0Uc_/s400/View+From+The+Boat.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">River dwelling on Ilha do Marajó - Mônica da Silva</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I miss my family and friends the most. We're really close. When I go back to visit, it's almost like no time has passed. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>The other thing I miss a lot, is the warmth and genuine happiness of the Brazilian people. The only way I can explain it, is to say that their happiness is so contagious. It permeates your cells, your heart, and makes you really feel alive. The whole mindset and lifestyle kind of forces you to slow down, breathe deep, and take everything in. The way you did when you were a child, and things were just magical. That's never changed for me. I feel it every time I go back.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Where do you go/what do you do in the States to matar as saudades de Belém e do Brasil? <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></b><b><br />
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</b><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now that I'm living in Miami, and I'm surrounded by Latin culture, Brazil seems so much closer. I play at different Brazilian venues and restaurants, so I'm able to get my fix of some of the staple foods I miss, like feijoada, strogonoff, churrasco, etc. I do have to admit, though, there's just something about eating these things in Brazil.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Check out Mônica da Silva's album, <i>Brasilissima</i>, on<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.monicadasilva.com/">www.monicadasilva.com</a>.</b><b><br />
</b></span></span></div>Rebecca Alperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754732930439560544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365361439773729494.post-80572869716978494872012-01-30T13:13:00.002-05:002012-03-02T07:31:15.084-05:00My First International Race: Corrida de Belém<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_tra9aFb9FdxkbgEfkLzAXBWYFvI2evvjahOkquVYTFkbR5A2SKAkT8ei15bmVRKsX4Vrdo3ukNPebzxbic4AnZSaJDxLakdCnd91a_v0Vqql0ToullJdLSPH_dFXPBjgURdooy30ut1/s1600/IMG_0867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_tra9aFb9FdxkbgEfkLzAXBWYFvI2evvjahOkquVYTFkbR5A2SKAkT8ei15bmVRKsX4Vrdo3ukNPebzxbic4AnZSaJDxLakdCnd91a_v0Vqql0ToullJdLSPH_dFXPBjgURdooy30ut1/s640/IMG_0867.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Usually when the streets of Belem are eerily quiet and I'm disregarding traffic signals, I'm in a speeding car avoiding a possible assault at a stoplight late at night. (Don't be alarmed. This is common practice in Belém and in many other cities throughout Brazil.) Still, it was a funny feeling yesterday morning trotting down the middle of empty streets, running red lights and not having a care in the world- except staying hydrated, so I could finish the remainder of the 10-kilometer <a href="http://www.orm.com.br/projetos/oliberal/interna/default.asp?modulo=249&codigo=575255" target="_blank">Corrida de Belém</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found out about this annual road race shortly after I arrived in Belém last week and registered on the last possible day at the kiosk in the mall. There was no online registration. For $20 Brazilian Real (about $17 US dollars) I got a racing number, a chip for my shoe, the official singlet, and instructions to show up at the starting line in front of the shopping mall by 7am the following Sunday.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last race I completed was the New York City Marathon in November, where, along the route, I snapped fotos of every physical manifestation of <a href="http://manhattanlandia.blogspot.com/2011/11/42-kilometers-brazil-and-nyc-marathon.html" target="_blank">Brazilian participation</a>, whether they be flags or yellow and green shirts proudly boasting the runner's country of origin. This time however, I should have been the one wearing an I heart New York City t-shirt. While I usually make a conscious effort to blend in with the Brazilian crowd, during the corrida, I felt an unusual desire to stand out as a foreigner participating in an important community event. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Along with 2,000 men and women from the state of Pará and beyond, I raced through Belém's historic districts to commemorate the capital city's 396th anniversary. The event was sponsored by O Jornal Liberal and the Municipal Secretariat of Sports, Youth and Leisure. Adelson Alves Rodrigues won the men's categories with a time of 30 minutes, 40 seconds, and Larrise Nascimento, a runner from the neighboring state of Maranhão, was the first woman to finish in 36 minutes 18 seconds.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWDTSZG5EL0UkdK_17_HN3a-PEG9V9Smsz-u0cZ4yavFYOrjKdIU4-M0lOmS6K8qp7WE4yda63yWsQTmDGeY5wOKQQTgVFLhujm1hPYLCJwpGuHTmlv4n8sieFiNG0o17l5cOW5SlfuxA/s1600/IMG_0915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="477" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWDTSZG5EL0UkdK_17_HN3a-PEG9V9Smsz-u0cZ4yavFYOrjKdIU4-M0lOmS6K8qp7WE4yda63yWsQTmDGeY5wOKQQTgVFLhujm1hPYLCJwpGuHTmlv4n8sieFiNG0o17l5cOW5SlfuxA/s640/IMG_0915.JPG" width="640" /></a>Rebecca Alperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754732930439560544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365361439773729494.post-90875992240676280552012-01-16T21:58:00.000-05:002012-01-16T21:58:55.162-05:00MOZIK Release Party: Brazilian flavored jazz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOOd5DwPYOuSdJskC6Vg_tW3lRV5er9ANs0ZkuqV5lIlxUZfeV9HlX7fSwUzoaZsjQMpvEMYOgvrGzssj7kEhvpjpa-2fSMqduxEeFIv5lmAD4UVz14-ceIltbE8-7pb4x24kdb51qYkB/s400/MOZIK.jpg" width="400" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MOZIK release party at Drom</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday, January 21, 2012</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Doors: 9pm, Show: 9:30</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tickets: $10-$15</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.dromnyc.com/events/1386/mozik-album-release-concert" target="_blank">Event and ticket info</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">MOZIK is:<br />
Gilson Schachnik / piano,keys<br />
<a href="http://manhattanlandia.blogspot.com/search/label/Mauricio%20Zottarelli" target="_blank">Mauricio Zottarelli</a> / drums, percussion <br />
Fernando Huergo / bass<br />
Yulia Musayelyan / flute </span><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Gustavo assis Brasil / guitar</span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span></span></div>Rebecca Alperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754732930439560544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365361439773729494.post-47742721808677579522012-01-09T20:32:00.005-05:002012-03-02T07:32:36.448-05:00Bebel's Blooper at the Highline Ballroom<div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Red shoes." height="392" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5270/5762796074_7086405a61.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidewalkshoes/5762796074/">sidewalkshoes</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To kick off its 2012 season, <a href="http://www.summerstage.org/">SummerStage</a> brought a killer line up to the <a href="http://manhattanlandia.blogspot.com/2011/12/bebel-gilberto-headlines-first-show-of.html">Highline Ballroom this past Thursday</a>, including nu bossa sweetheart <a href="http://www.bebelgilberto.com/">Bebel Gilberto</a>. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bebel began her headlining act with a disclaimer that she was nursing a broken pinky toe, so it was no surprise when she kicked of one of her red high heels during "Sun is Shining." The crowd even cheered as the shoe came off Bebel's foot and landed beside her. The second slipper didn't come off as gracefully, however. It flew off the stage and landed in the audience.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Watch the clip of <a href="http://youtu.be/J0hlmsiNRbw">Bebel's blooper</a> and her singing apologies. View in full screen to get the full effect!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/J0hlmsiNRbw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although I didn't get it on film, after the song, Bebel attended once more to her victims. "How many drinks do I owe you?" she asked, getting a laugh from the audience. And in a last attempt to excuse herself, she cried "My toe! I'm just trying to be beautiful!" Well, Bebel, you're excused and beautiful as always.</span>Rebecca Alperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754732930439560544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365361439773729494.post-48234010137912379402012-01-09T14:11:00.001-05:002012-01-09T20:43:02.283-05:00Brazilian bum bum at New York City's Annual No Pants Subway Ride<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLD-qdojsRDrF_sf6LhZJey2gsAdyw95c4caixlppaFyvnw8K9WuFISZ9bEkT_xpervuUZWO0mTOXPy6cMjYsWT69P8pg8RO3PELKXRfYQ-25cX6ZryqlMzgSVCuwJEikLqr8Eij0RwQ-O/s1600/Brazil+no+pant+subway+ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLD-qdojsRDrF_sf6LhZJey2gsAdyw95c4caixlppaFyvnw8K9WuFISZ9bEkT_xpervuUZWO0mTOXPy6cMjYsWT69P8pg8RO3PELKXRfYQ-25cX6ZryqlMzgSVCuwJEikLqr8Eij0RwQ-O/s400/Brazil+no+pant+subway+ride.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photograph: Thomas Donley for Time Out New York</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> From <a href="http://newyork.timeout.com/things-to-do/own-this-city-blog/2459359/photos-no-pants-subway-ride-2012?cmpid=twit">Time Out New York</a>:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><div class="node-imagery-wrap" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div></div><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the eleventh year, thousands of subway riders stripped to their skivvies for <a href="http://improveverywhere.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Improv Everywhere</a>'s annual wintertime prank. Bare-legged participants in three boroughs journeyed to Union Square, all the while acting as normal as possible to bemuse their fellow passengers. For the first time, there was an official after-party, hosted by Winkel & Balktick at the Greenwich Village Country Club. The strictly no-pants event featured a pants check, minigolf, No Pants Dance Squad and underwear-themed decor.</span></blockquote></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See more photos from the No Pants Subway ride and after party at: <a href="http://newyork.timeout.com/things-to-do/own-this-city-blog/2459359/photos-no-pants-subway-ride-2012?cmpid=twit">http://newyork.timeout.com/things-to-do/own-this-city-blog/2459359/photos-no-pants-subway-ride-2012?cmpid=twit</a></span>Rebecca Alperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754732930439560544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365361439773729494.post-27892598520706731232012-01-04T10:22:00.000-05:002012-01-04T10:22:56.522-05:00Brazilian Music Showcase at Le Poisson Rouge January 9<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UxmuK4sn_jE/TwO2qFpLDpI/AAAAAAAADEU/xC_F0KxBHTU/s1600/flyer-apap-showcase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UxmuK4sn_jE/TwO2qFpLDpI/AAAAAAAADEU/xC_F0KxBHTU/s640/flyer-apap-showcase.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are a lover or student of Brazilian Music, this event is your one-stop-shop! </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've seen drummer, composer Maurício Zottarelli play at a number of venues around New York City, including the critically acclaimed Blue Note jazz club. I'm far less familiar with the other names in line-up but am eager to experience their music for the first time. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a full description of the event from the organizers:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Beneath and beyond the stylish Bossa Nova, the iconic Tropicalia and the contagious Batucadas that make up the collective wisdom on Brazilian music, there pulsates a vigorous ecosystem of creators, stemming from different regions of the country, drawing from off the beaten track roots and plunging into the universe of awe inspiring masters from past (Jobim, Caymmi, Villa Lobos) and present (Hermeto Paschoal, Guinga, Chico Buarque, Egberto Gismonti) while fully exploring the freedom of digital age.</span></span> </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The official Brazilian APAP-NYC 2012 showcase is dedicated to this scene. Starting at 10pm on the 9th of January at the Le Poisson Rouge, audiences will be presented to composers such as Pedro Moraes and Mauricio Zottarelli, instrumentalists and arrangers, such as Sergio Krakowski and interpreters such as Mariana Baltar and Paula Santoro. It´s a new scene indeed, in which the familiar seductive beauty and rhythms of Brazil walk hand in hand with explorative musicianship and risk taking.</span></span> </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">One of such musicians, who´s also the curator of the showcase, is 32 year old singer/songwriter/guitarist Pedro Moraes, from Rio de Janeiro – an “Electro-samba adventurer” (NPR.ORG) whose CD Claroescuro was deemed “one of the top 10 world music CDs of 2010” (Boston Globe). Moraes has been touring extensively to the US, Europe and Asia since 2007 and, with his mastery of Brazilian, Latin and self-created rhythms, and deceptively organic melodies which hide “unexpected rip-tides and strong undertows” (Evangeline Kim, writer for NatGEO), has been establishing himself as an ambassador of this generation.</span></span> </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>This is a general admission event. Seating is limited and available on a first come, first seated basis. There is a two item minimum per person at all tables. Standing room is also available. We recommend arriving early.</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Artists</span></span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Mauricio Zottarelli Quintet </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Critically acclaimed and award-winning drummer and composer. Brazilian Contemporary Jazz.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b> </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>“Outstanding – Much more than drums, cymbals, and drumsticks. 4 stars.”</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> (O Estado de São Paulo”, Brazil)</span></span> </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Paula Santoro </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Jazzy, passionate and daring, the Minas Gerais born singer has become one of the most acclaimed Brazilian singers of last decade, both in Brazil and in the European jazz scenario</span></span> </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Pedro Moraes </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>Electro-Samba adventurer</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> (<a href="http://www.npr.org/2010/11/16/131357131/pedro-moraes-an-electro-samba-adventurer"><span style="text-decoration: none;">NPR.ORG</span></a>)</span></span> </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Mariana Baltar </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Embraced as one of the leading, most sophisticated names of samba and Brazilian Popular Music, “<i>strolls resourcefulness along the melodic and lyric spring that marks the paths of a new generation of composers.”</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> (Jornal do Brasil)</span></span> </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Sergio Krakowski w/ Choro Funk </b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">32 year old Sergio Krakowski, one of the best Pandeiro players in the world, with his self-developed real time Pandeiro/laptop interaction software, in the ChoroFunk project.</span></span></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Explorative Brazilian Music at Le Poisson Rouge</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Doors: 9:30 PM, Show: 10:00 PM<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Advance tickets: $15 ($20 at the door)</span></b></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Event and ticket information:</b> <a href="http://lepoissonrouge.com/events/view/2919">http://lepoissonrouge.com/events/view/2919</a></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3a3831; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Rebecca Alperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754732930439560544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365361439773729494.post-10230173273228050142012-01-01T21:38:00.006-05:002012-01-05T10:28:31.150-05:00Diogo Nogueira at S.O.B's January 7<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VWrEg6JN1kE/Tv9SJJkPU7I/AAAAAAAADEI/f22VrO-QcOE/s1600/diogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VWrEg6JN1kE/Tv9SJJkPU7I/AAAAAAAADEI/f22VrO-QcOE/s640/diogo.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I last wrote about <a href="http://www.diogonogueira.com.br/portugues/">Diogo Nogueira</a> when he <a href="http://manhattanlandia.blogspot.com/2011/07/diogo-nogueira-and-phenomenon-of.html">performed in New York</a> in July at Lincoln Center's Midsummer Night Swing. Now, the</span> soccer pro turned samba star<span class="Apple-style-span"> is back in the Big Apple, this time at <a href="http://sobs.com/">S.O.B.'s</a> in Soho. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what's new with Diogo since he last graced the New York stage? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In November, he kicked of the third season of "Samba na Gamboa," his weekly television program dedicated to samba music and samba masters. Diogo further expanded his TV presence with guest performances on two top Brazilian TV shows, telenovela <a href="http://tvg.globo.com/novelas/fina-estampa/Vem-por-ai/noticia/2011/12/griselda-revela-que-e-seu-aniversario-e-comemora-ao-som-de-diogo-nogueira.html">Fina Estampa</a> and teen series <a href="http://tvg.globo.com/novelas/malhacao/2011/Vem-por-ai/noticia/2011/12/galera-curte-o-show-de-diogo-nogueira-na-comunidade-dos-anjos.html">Malhação</a>. For the reality sports show <a href="http://globoesporte.globo.com/programas/verao-espetacular/noticia/2011/12/nas-ondas-de-itacare-diogo-nogueira-comprova-que-nao-e-mane-no-surfe.html">Nas Ondas de Itacaré</a>, Diogo took to the waves of southern Bahia with pro surfers <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Guilherme Tripa and Pedro Scooby and helped the teams competing in the show compose songs that best represent the spirit of the waves of Itacaré. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #38761d; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">On Saturday, January 7, Diogo Nogueira brings a bit of Brazilian sunshine to New York, heating up the stage at S.O.B's with his award-wining samba/pagode. </span></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><b>Diogo Nogueira at S.O.B.'s</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><b>Saturday, January 7</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><b>10pm (9pm doors)</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><b>Tickets and event information available <a href="http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=4185515">online</a></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><a href="http://www.soundsandcolours.com/news/music-news/diogo-nogueira-returns-to-new-york-city/">Read the preview I wrote for this show for Sounds and Colours Magazine.</a> </span></span></div>Rebecca Alperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754732930439560544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365361439773729494.post-83934635617454542732011-12-30T12:40:00.001-05:002011-12-30T12:40:46.155-05:00Bebel Gilberto Headlines First Show of SummerStage 2012 Season<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sescsp/6399784553/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Bebel gilberto_direção para TV de Daniel Pereira_4062 by SESC São Paulo, on Flickr"><img alt="Bebel gilberto_direção para TV de Daniel Pereira_4062" height="426" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7162/6399784553_97c137271f.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sescsp/6399784553/in/photostream/">Nilton Silva</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New York’s <a href="http://www.summerstage.org/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Summer Stage</a> is kicking off its 2012 season with an evening of performances by Nu-bossa bombshell, <span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Bebel Gilberto</span>, Grammy-nominated jazz singer <a href="http://www.gregoryporter.com/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Gregory Porter</a> and other acclaimed artists at Highline Ballroom in New York City on January 5th.</span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daughter of Brazilian bossa nova icon, João Gilberto, and singer, Miúcha, Bebel Gilberto gracefully ushers the music of her parent’s generation into the 21st century. Her blend of traditional sounds from Bahia with contemporary pop and electronic beats has become a staple at clubs and lounges around the world, and her love-centric lyrics have won the hearts and minds of international audiences.</span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A performer since age nine, Bebel is at home on the stage. Her sweet and energetic style is delightful to experience, and even more fun, is watching this star perform with others. During her summer residency at City Winery, Bebel performed each of her shows with a different special guest, including Brazilian rapper, Marcelo D2. This past October at the famed Rock in Rio music festival, Bebel shared the stage (<a href="http://g1.globo.com/rock-in-rio/2011/noticia/2011/09/sandra-de-sa-e-bebel-gilberto-conquistam-publico-com-cazuza.html" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">and a kiss</a>) with singer/composer Sandra de Sá.</span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If a duet with Gregory porter is in store, I’m excited to see it!</span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Bebel Gilberto, Gregory Porter and More @ Highline Ballroom</strong><br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Thursday 5th January<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Doors: 6pm, Show: 7pm<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Tickets: $20</span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Event and tickets: <a href="http://highlineballroom.com/bio.php?id=2230" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">highlineballroom.com/bio.php?id=2230</a></span></strong></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This post was written for <a href="http://www.soundsandcolours.com/">Sounds and Colours</a>. See the original text <a href="http://www.soundsandcolours.com/news/bebel-gilberto-headlines-first-show-of-summerstage-2012-season/#more-11157">here</a>.</span></b></div>Rebecca Alperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754732930439560544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365361439773729494.post-90869859556385469022011-12-22T15:00:00.004-05:002011-12-22T23:27:41.227-05:00Ring in the New Year Rio Style at S.O.B's<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flights to Rio are mostly sold out this season, but don't worry. You can experience the best of <i>Réveillon</i> right here in New York City. Take it from someone who counts herself among the 2 million revelers who crowded onto <a href="http://manhattanlandia.blogspot.com/2011/10/daniela-mercury-in-nyc.html">Copacabana Beach</a> last December 31st. </span></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At <a href="http://sobs.com/">S.O.B.'s</a> this New Year's Eve, ring in the New Year Rio style. And there won't be any sand in your caipirinhas!</span></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pick from three packages that include varying levels of dinner, drinks and dancing. Live performances by </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://manhattanlandia.blogspot.com/2011/06/experience-brasil-live-tuesday-nights.html">Brasil Live</a> and <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/15/arts/music/15salsa.html">La Excelencia</a> will keep you on your feet all night long. Then again, you might have to take a break to study the steps of the professional samba dancers with whom you share the dance floor. They'll be more than happy to show you how to shake it. (Many of them are professional samba <a href="http://manhattanlandia.blogspot.com/2011/04/samba-bringing-sexy-back.html">instructors</a>, too).</span></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This will </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">be a festa to remember, depending, of course, on how much champagne you toast at midnight. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eXFZl_YS9qM/TvOFWYKBMoI/AAAAAAAADCY/Dkt6GBgn710/s1600/nyeve12+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eXFZl_YS9qM/TvOFWYKBMoI/AAAAAAAADCY/Dkt6GBgn710/s640/nyeve12+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Tickets available for purchase <a href="http://www.ticketweb.com/snl/Search.action?query=New+Years+Eve+2012+From+Rio+to+Miami">online</a>.</b></span></div>Rebecca Alperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754732930439560544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365361439773729494.post-83477109393860251202011-12-16T18:03:00.002-05:002011-12-17T01:27:45.410-05:00Criolo Was Here<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAT4-7ZWQsxNGq_RY7ZkwzbfFtF8DuCuANAkMmx20sy-fSEPZN4jal8gwca6CnqhLCxvrRkNfLDdMaTibpxfpIKjskspz6sOtT0Xgpc2HXhXkDsMP_1Cgq0OBT6O8f8E1oHLT_a4D4fXKf/s1600/IMG_0730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAT4-7ZWQsxNGq_RY7ZkwzbfFtF8DuCuANAkMmx20sy-fSEPZN4jal8gwca6CnqhLCxvrRkNfLDdMaTibpxfpIKjskspz6sOtT0Xgpc2HXhXkDsMP_1Cgq0OBT6O8f8E1oHLT_a4D4fXKf/s400/IMG_0730.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Criolo performing at Nublu, December 7, 2011</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Within hours of stepping off an international flight last week, Brazilian rapper/singer, Criolo, dropped a <a href="http://youtu.be/cAT8lM0gVQk">new music video</a> whose name was <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/criolomc/status/145165818253160448">trending on Twitter in Brazil</a> in no time. As I write this, he is performing in front of a packed house at one of São Paulo's most acclaimed venues. The show <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/criolomc/status/146741114555211776">sold out</a> in 30 minutes. And he's <a href="http://criolo.net/agenda.html">booked</a> for three more shows before the year's end. Such is the day-to-day of Brazil's 2011 <a href="http://vmb.mtv.uol.com.br/noticias/criolo-e-o-vencedor-da-categoria-revelacao-no-vmb">New Artist of the Year</a>... except when he's <a href="http://manhattanlandia.blogspot.com/2011/12/brazils-criolo-at-nublu-jazz-fest.html">performing in New York</a>. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">I found out about Criolo's New York debut five days before the show in a <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/criolomc/status/143051111945875456">cryptic tweet</a> by the artist. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After some searching, I uncovered more details. On the Nublu Jazz Festival <a href="http://manhattanlandia.blogspot.com/2011/12/brazils-criolo-at-nublu-jazz-fest.html">flyer</a>, in tiny lettering, was "Criolo," crowded on a page with the names and showtimes of some 100 other artists. I felt like I had just unearthed a treasure. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At <a href="http://nublu.net/">Nublu's</a> unassuming club on Avenue C, Criolo serenaded and agitated a mostly Brazilian crowd already familiar with his music and excited to see a national star perform in such an intimate setting. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Criolo's music is similar to that of other acclaimed Brazilian rappers in that it mixes many styles of music: axê, reggae, funk, samba, hip hop and more. What sets Criolo apart from contemporaries, like Emicida and Marcelo D2, is his singing voice. Where other rappers need to collaborate with trained singers, Criolo has it covered. He is free to experiment with his own voice instead of depending on the r</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">epertoire of another vocal artist.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Criolo brings an intensity to performing I've never seen before. On stage, he seems to channel all the sadness and suffering many of his lyrics describe. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During "Não Existe Amor em SP" (There is no love in São Paulo), he stood still, his head cocked to one side, his eyes </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">focused in the distance</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. I wanted to know what he was seeing.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Criolo</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> was standing on the stage before me, but his spirit was elsewhere, only loosely attached to the man with the microphone. </span><br />
<object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="https://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F13418229"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed allowscriptaccess="always" height="81" src="https://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F13418229" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%"></embed> </object> <a href="http://soundcloud.com/criolo_oficial/n-o-existe-amor-em-sp">Não Existe Amor em SP</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/criolo_oficial">criolo_oficial</a> <br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other times, Criolo's movements were agitated, his face contorting with thoughts of the often unpleasant reality of life in São Paulo, the muscles in his neck bulging as he belted out the notes. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Criolo is a vessel for stories of neglect and injustice he knows intimately from a career as a counselor to kids living in the street. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still, he maintains a positive outlook. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the show, I had the chance to chat briefly with him about his New York debut. We had to move away from the stage, so I could better hear his quiet speaking voice. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He told me that at age 35, this was his first trip outside Brazil, his first invitation to perform in the United States, and that it was all very exciting for him. He'</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">d never foreseen this happening in this life time. It had been a far off dream, if that. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He's celebrated so many milestones in the last year- winning three titles at the Video Music Brasil awards, performing in cities across Brazil, and traveling abraod. None of it had sunk in yet.</span><br />
<div style="border-collapse: separate; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="color: black; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I almost asked if he needed me to pinch him to convince him it was all really happening. But it is. I overheard talk of invitations to play in London and performances at the Olympics (2012 or 2016, I'm not sure).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I asked Criolo about his album, <i>Nó na Orelha</i>, which he is distributing freely. "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So many people helped me to get to this point for free. I couldn't have done it without them. I wanted to give back and share result with as many people as possible," he explained.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fame can get to one's head, but as long as Criolo continues to make life's harsh realities and his personal hope for a better future the focus of his music, I'm confident he'll remain the grateful, down-to-earth guy I once had the pleasure of meeting. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a <a href="http://revistatrip.uol.com.br/revista/203/paginas-negras/criolo/page-1.html">cover story</a> of the Brazilian magazine, Trip, Criolo is quoted as saying “Legal esse momento que estou vivendo. Mas legal mesmo seria não precisar cantar o que canto. Sentir essa dor no peito." Translation: <i>This moment I'm living is great, but just as great would be to not have to sing what I sing. Feeling this pain in my heart.</i> I think that says it all. </span>Rebecca Alperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754732930439560544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365361439773729494.post-49135341530038903052011-12-03T22:50:00.006-05:002011-12-15T14:47:49.341-05:00Brazil's Criolo at Nublu JazzFest, December 7<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8NL78Swe3JtqhLBJvcwkRcOZ2LFwqZ5GJVGxE76qcpFaMlI4zAB1KuEyqXf_JZ0xQ1kMm9t_LpcZC16aj8tkSUX8ylm6r3oL3mXOTv6D_duVjbTS2NEd0oJP_e8rlkkCqX_l4BTICHBi/s1600/nyc2011back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8NL78Swe3JtqhLBJvcwkRcOZ2LFwqZ5GJVGxE76qcpFaMlI4zAB1KuEyqXf_JZ0xQ1kMm9t_LpcZC16aj8tkSUX8ylm6r3oL3mXOTv6D_duVjbTS2NEd0oJP_e8rlkkCqX_l4BTICHBi/s1600/nyc2011back.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leave it to the humble, music visionaries at Nublu to bring together a Brazilian rapper, international DJs, ethnic folk bands, new age rockers and representatives of countless other music genres for a week-long celebration of sound. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The name Nublu Jazzfest is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">deceivingly homogeneous. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A more accurate name might be Crazy-Awesome-Like-You've-Never-Imagined-Up-Close-Music-Week.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The third annual <a href="http://nublujazzfestival.com/">Nublu Jazzfest</a> begins December 7th and is hosting shows at three locations in the East Village through December 18th. There is something for everyone in this mind-blowing line-up, so don't miss out. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am personally pumped to see Criolo, the soul spitting, jungle-beat mixing, sensual, Brazilian singer/rapper kick off the festival this Wednesday at 9pm at Nublu, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">62 <em style="font-style: normal;">Avenue C</em></span>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Criolo was nominated in five categories of this year's MTV Video Music Brasil awards. He won in three of those categories: Album of the Year, <a href="http://youtu.be/f35HluEYpDs">Song of the Year</a>, and New Artist of the Year. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; line-height: 19px;">If you aren't convinced, you should go see Criolo's live at Nublu, <a href="http://www.criolo.net/">download</a> his award-winning album, </span><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="http://www.soundsandcolours.com/reviews/music-reviews/criolo-no-na-orelha/">Nó na Orelha</a>,</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; line-height: 19px;"> and give a listen. <a href="http://www.criolo.net/">It's FREE!</a></span></span></div>Rebecca Alperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754732930439560544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365361439773729494.post-12963569340883812512011-11-24T10:20:00.000-05:002011-11-24T10:20:33.414-05:00Berimbau: The best açaí I've never had<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_oe7CqE4hPmKRQ6eh0FeUNZL2MPgGAt5E00xYQzf8aJoHuHIDGo3VmKLtOc5NtR-2U4Wa8TatIt6POhREvx69EOJuM2b6H1tptCcbJnn5iNnJ8Mewp0yUak2YWhE7rTEyzuJB4TszzAb/s1600/IMG_0680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_oe7CqE4hPmKRQ6eh0FeUNZL2MPgGAt5E00xYQzf8aJoHuHIDGo3VmKLtOc5NtR-2U4Wa8TatIt6POhREvx69EOJuM2b6H1tptCcbJnn5iNnJ8Mewp0yUak2YWhE7rTEyzuJB4TszzAb/s640/IMG_0680.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Hash de Bacalhau (front), caipirinha, feijão and arroz (middle), omelet (top).</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm pretty sure I've found the best açaí in New York City. I'm only pretty sure, because I haven't tried it.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MFwyzbBPAQVUmM0Y-hkjs8d0fT6OtEVlmMnJWIXiAQmxZrmweyVCH6OHNnu50CCEkxMBYH_67a1BaxtL7eIWHfwG93d1TeA0TyxD9-TJo112MQRhP2-8Jpl4Rq52gv9QpukU7E4-PHx4/s1600/Berimbau2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MFwyzbBPAQVUmM0Y-hkjs8d0fT6OtEVlmMnJWIXiAQmxZrmweyVCH6OHNnu50CCEkxMBYH_67a1BaxtL7eIWHfwG93d1TeA0TyxD9-TJo112MQRhP2-8Jpl4Rq52gv9QpukU7E4-PHx4/s200/Berimbau2.jpg" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">A Berimbau</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> Joel "Pica Pau" Zimmer</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">for </span></span><a href="http://capoeirabrooklyn.bigcartel.com/" style="font-size: x-small;">Raízes do Brasil</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This past Saturday, my roommate and I enjoyed a boozey Brazilian brunch at <a href="http://www.berimbaunyc.com/">Berimbau</a> in the West Village. Named after a stringed percussion instrument you've probably seen and heard in capoeira circles, Berimbau, is a wonderful place to begin, or end, your weekend. I imagine it's a great dinner spot as well.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Berimbau menu has a mix of traditional Brazilian dishes as well as Brazilian inspired American dishes. I have a personal rule of sticking with traditional plates, like feijoada, a stew of black beens and mystery meats which has risen from its peasant origins to become the national dish or moqueca, a seafood stew made with palm oil and coconut milk. On this morning, however, I was craving breakfast, so I selected a scramble of eggs and bacalhau, salted cod fish that is a popular Portuguese import to Brazil. And to drink, a caipirinha, of course! I can never go to a Brazilian joint and not order cachaça, even if it's only a few minutes past noon. My lingering headache from the previous evening's activities quickly subsided after a few sips. Berimbau's caipirinhas are strong and not overly sweet, just the way I like them. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Note that I haven't yet mentioned açaí, the Amazonian wonder-fruit. Although açaí was </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the first thing I ordered, well, second after the caipirinha, I was politely denied it. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's right. Our friendly waitress, Marietta, patiently explained that there was no acaí that Saturday. The batch that had been delivered was not fit to be served. Upon hearing this, I was at first disappointed, but after a moment of reflection, I realized this was a good sign. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisE1h2WqZK6iOQEuxvsic5LZ2HlNxlAW4RMZC7dqmJiHpyfJZoUptKqFYfJVOfQ59lnjGtG6bnAmzhqqbJNfH4OfbU9O9N99Pk0rpPLLwN50jafxAwuW53VakhrzAB3jOM-AjXSFGl3kIb/s1600/acai-berry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisE1h2WqZK6iOQEuxvsic5LZ2HlNxlAW4RMZC7dqmJiHpyfJZoUptKqFYfJVOfQ59lnjGtG6bnAmzhqqbJNfH4OfbU9O9N99Pk0rpPLLwN50jafxAwuW53VakhrzAB3jOM-AjXSFGl3kIb/s1600/acai-berry.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You see, there is so much horrible açaí in this country, polluting the supermarket shelves and juice bars menus nation wide. And the worst part is, American consumers don't even know it. They've never tasted the real thing, unadulterated by other fruit flavors and the preservatives often required for this "miracle fruit" to survive its long trip from the Amazon rainforest. Despite not knowing what they are paying for, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">women's-magazine-reading, weigh-wathcing, <a href="http://www.oprah.com/health/Acai-Dr-Perricones-No-1-Superfood">Oprah Winfrey</a> and <a href="http://www.doctoroz.com/blog/lindsey-duncan-nd-cn/so-whats-so-good-about-acai-whole-lot">Dr. Oz</a> fans</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> are willing to cough up cash for all sorts of food products and supplements claiming açai as an ingredient. Even when the açai "flavor" comes through, these consumers can't judge it as good or bad. It's just new or different to them, and companies take advantage of their ignorance.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For these reasons, I was highly impressed by Berimbau's honesty and commitment to quality. Bermibau isn't trying to fool anyone or take advantage of the US "miracle fruit" marketing schemes. I will surely return to Berimbau for <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/berimbau_nyc/status/126676480569769985">açaí na tigela com granola</a>, and am confident it will be the most authentic, delicious açaí I will have tasted outside of Brazil. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In case you find yourself craving açaí before you can get to Berimbau, I leave you with a few tips on finding good acaí in New York City and outside of Brazil.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALRklBALRnofLTzeaC1gR-ZA35A2Bu1tzIrWT1_xAPfFC5cA3p0laUB4Yvq9MVDSbKqCT5p3Sc1ZistkOiyEpnodYT5ZV4SyyjfiODjefIKlWUrJBTqtyJuVBA3ze4wqb3OCyD3ibyja4/s1600/65654561_1-Imagens-de-Acai-Cupuacu-Granola-Sucrilhos-Alimentos-Naturais-e-Nutritivos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALRklBALRnofLTzeaC1gR-ZA35A2Bu1tzIrWT1_xAPfFC5cA3p0laUB4Yvq9MVDSbKqCT5p3Sc1ZistkOiyEpnodYT5ZV4SyyjfiODjefIKlWUrJBTqtyJuVBA3ze4wqb3OCyD3ibyja4/s320/65654561_1-Imagens-de-Acai-Cupuacu-Granola-Sucrilhos-Alimentos-Naturais-e-Nutritivos.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NO JUICE. I have never come across acaí juice in Brazil. In Belém, the capitol of Pará state and one of the largest exporter's of açaí, the amazonian berries are mashed, and the liquid pulp is served a bowl. Paranaenses will add manioc flour or toasted tapioca for crunch. When I lived in Belém, I ate açaí líquido every Sunday with my lunch of fried fish. In southern Brazil, acaí pulp is blended with ice and guaraná syrup to make thick smoothies or served in a bowl and topped with granola, bananas and strawberries for a healthy, post-gym power snack. </span></li>
</ul><ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBGqup7wTqLm3W6kUhdbyJsjPVgw2jUYtk8fNUnIQwHBLJOM6IonA3kBAFVK4IAjJ9lLsg-GR-Nai_nZ_I_cJFR88ZtjQf2ITRS6pdnTh34FOMu9HrABrs8k4ctmpbCP0IVwMsdlM7eNL/s1600/Acai+Apple+Granola+Cereal+Natures+Path.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBGqup7wTqLm3W6kUhdbyJsjPVgw2jUYtk8fNUnIQwHBLJOM6IonA3kBAFVK4IAjJ9lLsg-GR-Nai_nZ_I_cJFR88ZtjQf2ITRS6pdnTh34FOMu9HrABrs8k4ctmpbCP0IVwMsdlM7eNL/s320/Acai+Apple+Granola+Cereal+Natures+Path.jpg" width="232" /></a>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NO POWDER. Before you order that smoothie from your local juice bar, ask about the acaí. If the answer is powder, just say no! Do you drink powdered milk? Yeah, I didn't think so. (Please ignore the fact that powered milk is widely consumed in Brazil). I also steer clear of flavored syrups as well. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If the answer is frozen concentrate, however, you may proceed. It's the closest thing you'll get to the real deal.</span></li>
</ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">EVEN IF IT'S TASTEY, IT MIGHT NOT TASTE LIKE AÇAI. I bet this cereal is actually quite good, but there's no way in green hell that it tastes like açaí. This product would never sell in Brazil, and the flavor combination would be considered quite strange. Though they can be bought in grocery stores everywhere, apples grow only in the southern most part of Brazil. In northern Brazil, a bowl of açaí a day keeps the doctor away. </span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"></span></span></div>Rebecca Alperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754732930439560544noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365361439773729494.post-39467437405344320172011-11-16T22:51:00.007-05:002011-12-14T01:09:14.220-05:00Brazil is calling you. Will you answer?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnX-ewhNmh3cBxIyBdt68MqSX98i9hCCTRI77idTQWlcPirLlRFPkWHI9fdK3bcJQMI6sVrZ0s-JZjU1BD2KIFO3dI61GbtZXbNtr7AKB8SKayiMdKThx5ea4mNH7p6fQoVrgqGtk9ME19/s1600/IMG_0676_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnX-ewhNmh3cBxIyBdt68MqSX98i9hCCTRI77idTQWlcPirLlRFPkWHI9fdK3bcJQMI6sVrZ0s-JZjU1BD2KIFO3dI61GbtZXbNtr7AKB8SKayiMdKThx5ea4mNH7p6fQoVrgqGtk9ME19/s320/IMG_0676_2.JPG" width="235" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Embratur, Brazil's national tourism board, is running an aggressive marketing campaign in New York City just as a less than flattering cinematic portrayal of Rio de Janeiro is hitting theaters. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">government-sponsored campaign</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> made its debut on <a href="http://riogringa.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/04/rio-the-movie-debuts.html">New York City subways cars</a> back in April, but I first noticed it at the starting line of the <a href="http://manhattanlandia.blogspot.com/2011/11/42-kilometers-brazil-and-nyc-marathon.html">New York City Marathon</a> on November 6th. Flying high above the Verazzano Bridge was a plane with a yellow banner trailing behind it that read in green lettering: <a href="http://www.oh-yay.com/if-you-ran-in-the-nyc-marathon-youll-love-running-in-rio-884216.html">Brazil is calling you. Run in Rio in 2012</a>. "Yes, that's my next marathon," I thought to myself even before the gun had gone off. "Maybe I'll be living in Brazil by then."</span><br />
<div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And over the next few days, I noticed more propaganda around Manhattan with the same message. My friend sent me this picture of one of Embratur's advertisements on the Upper West Side, and I saw another ad from the same campaign in SoHo. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Friday after I ran the marathon was the <a href="http://www.google.com/movies?hl=en&near=New+York,+NY&dq=elite+squad&sort=1&mid=dea175b764e3a541&sa=X&ei=3nfETpWZJMf40gGRy8SHDw&sqi=2&ved=0CCcQwAMoAg">New York premiere</a> of the Brazilian film, "<a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/2011/11/11/movies/elite-squad-the-enemy-within-from-brazil-review.html">Elite Squad: The Enemy Within</a>," the sequel to a 2007 film bearing the same name. Both films portray Rio de Janeiro's special forces military police unit, BOPE, that runs anti-narcotic SWAT operations in the city's favelas, which have increasingly fallen under the rule of rival drug-trafficking gangs. While the first movie focuses on the day to day operations of BOPE and the stress it induces in the personal lives of its troops, the second film takes a step back and maps Rio's endemic violence to its corrupt municipal and State agencies and legislative bodies.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I saw the first "Elite Squad" in a theater in Brazil, holding one hand over my mouth and the other over my heart for the duration of the film. It was just that hard to watch. Still, I was anticipating the sequel's New York premiere, especially because the movie's director, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jose_Padilha">José Padilha</a>, would be hosting a question and answer session afterwards. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Elite Squad: The Enemy Within"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is brilliant. By time the lights came up, I was filled with a potent mix of emotions that included disbelief, indignation, betrayal, and hopelessness. I had read articles from major Rio papers reporting on the actual violence and corruption which inspired much of the movie, but watching these events on the big screen contextualized them and made them real for me. I found myself questioning my dream of moving to Brazil. And from their questions, it seemed that other members of the audience were struggling with similar thoughts and emotions. </span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVE4HRoC7HL4Zlp8EIKa87yKv4bbrdPz7w38ecOKx4TrviJQf1jp4HvkGUsnq5pPAdItfbNmZNmeMIX7EXiDac-XiVN-aqyD4vePEHPw2VpP4c0Sj0FV2-ZGQOIUjx5hW4eRYY2kcYokNm/s1600/IMG_0665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVE4HRoC7HL4Zlp8EIKa87yKv4bbrdPz7w38ecOKx4TrviJQf1jp4HvkGUsnq5pPAdItfbNmZNmeMIX7EXiDac-XiVN-aqyD4vePEHPw2VpP4c0Sj0FV2-ZGQOIUjx5hW4eRYY2kcYokNm/s400/IMG_0665.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From left to right: José Padilha, random adoring fan, <br />
and yours truly, photo-bomber extraordinaire</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Padilha stepped up to the front of the theater and fielded questions about the making of the film, its reception in Brazil, and his crew's working relationship, or lack there of, with the city of Rio and the ruling drug gangs. Padilha described a shoot for the first film during which he was summoned by the head trafficker of the favela only to be given tips on how to make a fighting scene more true to life. That story got a laugh, albeit a nervous one, from the audience.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One fellow's question to Padilha was particularly memorable. A young man introduced himself as Rio native, a Carioca, and proceeded to ask if Padilha had contemplated the impact his films would have on tourism. This man was obviously concerned about Rio's image abroad. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I couldn't believe my ears. Did this man really think that Padilha should not have brought into plain public view the endemic corruption of Rio politics and the active efforts by those involved to exinguish the few working to govern honestly and ethically just to ensure a few hundred more tourists visit Rio each year? The gall. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While the movie might dissuade a minority of prospective visitors, I seriously doubt it has had or will have a noticeable impact on Rio's tourism revenues. People would be foolish to change their World Cup and Olympic Games travel plans because of this film. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will admit, though, that spending two weeks enjoying beaches, visiting museums, and tasting local cuisine is much different than taking up residence in the same place and defaulting to local authorities to ensure the smooth and safe day to day operations of your city. Still, my own second thoughts about making that transition stem less from fear for my personal safety and more from a personal protest against injustice and corrupt government. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Embratur's Brazil and Padilha's Brazil stand in stark opposition to one another. I fully understand neither portrayal is comprehensive, nor are they mutually exclusive, but the contrast leaves me with a funny feeling. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brazil is calling. It's been calling me for a number of years now. And at the moment, I'm not sure to what extent I want to answer. </span><br />
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</span></div>Rebecca Alperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754732930439560544noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365361439773729494.post-85335881804865517142011-11-09T23:13:00.003-05:002011-11-10T10:34:42.680-05:0042 Kilometers: Brazil and the NYC Marathon<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This past Sunday, November 6th, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I ran the New York City Marathon</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. During my training, I learned that each runner has his or her own way of staying motivated and powering through to the finish line. Some people need to listen to a custom playlist on their iPod, others need to know they have friends and family looking out for them at every mile. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't use headphones when I run, nor did I map out where everyone I know was stationed along the course. As usual, what kept me going was Brazil. My first experience in Brazil in 2007 was a major <a href="http://www.crowdrise.com/rebeccaAlper">motivation for my running the marathon</a>. But seeing and hearing signs of Brazil on race day made the 26.2 miles (or 42 kilometers) fast and fun.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I came up behind these runners along the course. Using my Portuguese, I complimented their shirts and wished them good luck as I passed them and pulled ahead. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJsJRhOcGg3ksgHnmaf4VxAc48Osd1HTm5z1Ott1Hv2ERpNx2Ly3q98q19su_78UP0vE5uCS0x5uALHqGOOZQMqFOjqRGFYf2kDjeD95aagJv8qH562AjqInRNSY4WUi1PO8FwcB3YyI1/s1600/IMG_0639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJsJRhOcGg3ksgHnmaf4VxAc48Osd1HTm5z1Ott1Hv2ERpNx2Ly3q98q19su_78UP0vE5uCS0x5uALHqGOOZQMqFOjqRGFYf2kDjeD95aagJv8qH562AjqInRNSY4WUi1PO8FwcB3YyI1/s200/IMG_0639.jpg" width="149" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4eupP7XfwNcuQtmBhBeeYCl_eDzbeo6R1QHhFO6mDRVpjSigABmlH0Al__4nmUaZVCQYHVFmoMwNC44jX5Jilfr9UVh0B7Kk8-xAN8YE88PlRbdACssUL6X4BZxILGvQbWZTcTbnZoQ6/s1600/IMG_0642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4eupP7XfwNcuQtmBhBeeYCl_eDzbeo6R1QHhFO6mDRVpjSigABmlH0Al__4nmUaZVCQYHVFmoMwNC44jX5Jilfr9UVh0B7Kk8-xAN8YE88PlRbdACssUL6X4BZxILGvQbWZTcTbnZoQ6/s200/IMG_0642.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="149" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBiAlYcfio_fmbO6I0Lt7mbuDgr1KKgZEMggrPEl3n-h4E6fxi_swjtz9mECANgUooyV_tDJxnXp8Pum63rhFfo8WmhjosN_Hkfpzryn__7kjj7mqbDGZbX75vFDHQdY_p6iCFoQa5Mqv/s1600/IMG_0641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBiAlYcfio_fmbO6I0Lt7mbuDgr1KKgZEMggrPEl3n-h4E6fxi_swjtz9mECANgUooyV_tDJxnXp8Pum63rhFfo8WmhjosN_Hkfpzryn__7kjj7mqbDGZbX75vFDHQdY_p6iCFoQa5Mqv/s200/IMG_0641.jpg" width="149" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was able to get the above shots on the move, but as I descended from the Queensboro bridge, I ran into wall of screaming green and yellow. The only time I stopped during my 4 hour run was to take a picture of this enthusiastic spectator who was part of that crowd. Her spirit kept me going for the remaining 12 miles. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfS5dRRxinli_Wllpxck25Rm-CPkq7IdIwIAhAXy-CcC5W6odA5BqdVqCT8Z7WfmxY-Yvomz9YVS5i-2pwQx9HVVaJSwksCqh4RVAFK1Ohcycck8pgZNgBsqsY_O63xK5X4YUYCFBkgNMz/s1600/IMG_0649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfS5dRRxinli_Wllpxck25Rm-CPkq7IdIwIAhAXy-CcC5W6odA5BqdVqCT8Z7WfmxY-Yvomz9YVS5i-2pwQx9HVVaJSwksCqh4RVAFK1Ohcycck8pgZNgBsqsY_O63xK5X4YUYCFBkgNMz/s640/IMG_0649.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even when I didn't see signs of Brazil, I could hear them. During the last leg of the race in Central Park, I heard someone shout "Brazil!" Regrettably, I wasn't wearing any yellow, green or blue, so there must have been a prideful Brazilian on my heels who provoked the salute. Either way, I couldn't help but throw my fist in the air and smile even bigger than I already was. The onlooker might as well have shouted my name. Becca, Brazil, I respond to both. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My handful of Brazilian experiences spread out over New York's five boroughs are by no means an accurate representation of the extent of Brazil's presence in Sunday's race. <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/elizondogabriel">@ElizondoGabriel</a>, commented on Twitter: "<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/elizondogabriel/status/133924099805282304">My flight from NY to Sao Paulo today was more than half full of people coming home after running the NYC Marathon over the weekend</a>." He told me even more runners from another New York flight that landed in São Paulo at the same time joined him and his fellow passengers in line at immigration. How could he tell? All were proudly sporting their medals. I forgot to ask if their limps or stiff walks were another give away. </span>Rebecca Alperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754732930439560544noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365361439773729494.post-23472737703184634902011-10-26T12:17:00.000-04:002011-10-26T12:17:10.123-04:00And the winner is...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3Vi9xz7jazW8rkKmezUAy0oXUQPmqueVXeFNS_3bPGCwb6nC1A3jGa1Y5ZRqaC4lANZtjiqU9LD_QnvCk78JgUqpCiFhDgqys_mTnHUa2j_1pQnByp4be7VBAZLO2kDCLw1M_LNLSgKw/s1600/DSC_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3Vi9xz7jazW8rkKmezUAy0oXUQPmqueVXeFNS_3bPGCwb6nC1A3jGa1Y5ZRqaC4lANZtjiqU9LD_QnvCk78JgUqpCiFhDgqys_mTnHUa2j_1pQnByp4be7VBAZLO2kDCLw1M_LNLSgKw/s640/DSC_0052.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Bethania Tavares, winner of <a href="http://manhattanlandia.blogspot.com/2011/10/miss-brazil-usa-connecticut.html">Miss Brazil USA Connecticut 2011</a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzOsan5N4LBN64Sl57NwN1erS4WNu0y1xP0MGtlSUiSzr9khbeijrbOEhjjgGneaaATskqDdZmV_ONX7iHQxg__CusbXdMcUEGhn8V5v2pulN_5co6Fl0J9YE35P4A1Cyokx1T97skhan/s1600/DSC_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzOsan5N4LBN64Sl57NwN1erS4WNu0y1xP0MGtlSUiSzr9khbeijrbOEhjjgGneaaATskqDdZmV_ONX7iHQxg__CusbXdMcUEGhn8V5v2pulN_5co6Fl0J9YE35P4A1Cyokx1T97skhan/s640/DSC_0064.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Lais Silva, Runner Up</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF39Ao4fgUDP0oFNkAZAOq88c4BZslgigUpGRdwJfgfFqZBy9884j0nPt-1HTsBoPVxncm8qcBeS4kOHBaf9pbkUmyrOGaW2FiXnal6lcEpq9JGucxEtCtPvMwCbtTGd14MjSjufdLDlc9/s1600/DSC_0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF39Ao4fgUDP0oFNkAZAOq88c4BZslgigUpGRdwJfgfFqZBy9884j0nPt-1HTsBoPVxncm8qcBeS4kOHBaf9pbkUmyrOGaW2FiXnal6lcEpq9JGucxEtCtPvMwCbtTGd14MjSjufdLDlc9/s640/DSC_0050.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Adna Raimundo, Third Place</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Judges also awarded the titles of Miss Simpatia (Miss Congeniality) and Miss Fotogênica (Miss Photogenic) to Karen Olivera and Karina Lima.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Congratulations to Silvani D'Agostino of <a href="http://rio100.com/events">Rio 100</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> on organizing a tremendously successful event.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And congratulations to all the beautiful contestants. I hope your teachers were understanding on Monday morning. I bet it's not often they get a hand written note that says "My daughter was unable to complete her assignment, because she was up all night, fighting 'til the end, in a battle of Brazilian bombshells. Thank you for understanding." </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Best of luck to Bethania, Lais, Adna, Karen and Karina who are moving onto the national <a href="http://www.missbrasilusa.com/">Miss USA Brazil</a> competition that will take place on Saturday, November 12 at 9:00pm at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark New Jersey. Call 973.937.2419 for tickets. </span></span></div>Rebecca Alperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754732930439560544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365361439773729494.post-61766313747695775442011-10-21T00:31:00.008-04:002011-10-22T11:20:07.143-04:00Miss Brazil USA Connecticut<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYhV2DqyeXRG8NbiPEoJzejVctkGKjASWd8d5RsasoST1ldiFjfmTGNq0NRkgzz0A4EycecRIvllKP4Pn9Fxd7EJXZg753g4aMqyQBswcu2j0ehK8CMzE8uW-kfFWblhMLwofaJ8X4vll/s1600/Flyer_Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYhV2DqyeXRG8NbiPEoJzejVctkGKjASWd8d5RsasoST1ldiFjfmTGNq0NRkgzz0A4EycecRIvllKP4Pn9Fxd7EJXZg753g4aMqyQBswcu2j0ehK8CMzE8uW-kfFWblhMLwofaJ8X4vll/s1600/Flyer_Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYhV2DqyeXRG8NbiPEoJzejVctkGKjASWd8d5RsasoST1ldiFjfmTGNq0NRkgzz0A4EycecRIvllKP4Pn9Fxd7EJXZg753g4aMqyQBswcu2j0ehK8CMzE8uW-kfFWblhMLwofaJ8X4vll/s1600/Flyer_Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYhV2DqyeXRG8NbiPEoJzejVctkGKjASWd8d5RsasoST1ldiFjfmTGNq0NRkgzz0A4EycecRIvllKP4Pn9Fxd7EJXZg753g4aMqyQBswcu2j0ehK8CMzE8uW-kfFWblhMLwofaJ8X4vll/s1600/Flyer_Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYhV2DqyeXRG8NbiPEoJzejVctkGKjASWd8d5RsasoST1ldiFjfmTGNq0NRkgzz0A4EycecRIvllKP4Pn9Fxd7EJXZg753g4aMqyQBswcu2j0ehK8CMzE8uW-kfFWblhMLwofaJ8X4vll/s400/Flyer_Front.jpg" width="271" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just as with country music, romance novels, and celebrity gossip, I'm not a fan of beauty pageants, unless they are in Portuguese.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the exception of Miss America when I was in grade school, I had never in my life paid attention to beauty contests. But when I learned <a href="http://www.nbc.com/pageant-life/miss-universe/">Miss Universe 2011</a> would be hosted in São Paulo, Brazil, I marked my calendar and told my roommate she'd have to DVR The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. </span><br />
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Despite its physical location, however, Miss Universe 2011 was not was Brazilian enough for my taste. As much as I like Andy Cohen and respect Natalie Morales' Brazilian ancestry, I hoped the hosts would bring more of Brazil to the stage. I also conveniently forgot that Miss Universe contestants come from all over the world, and only three this year were from Portuguese speaking countries. </span><br />
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Really, I was never interested in Miss Universe. What I wanted was a Brazilians-only beauty contest. And where was I going to find that? Stamford, Connecticut it turns out.</span><br />
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<a href="http://rio100.com/miss-brazil-usa-2"> Miss Brazil USA Connecticut</a> is a qualifying beauty pageant for Miss Brazil USA, the United States' beauty competition for Brazilian-American women. </span><br />
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I have to admit that I seriously considered entering the contest, when I saw a tweet by its organizer, <a href="http://rio100.com/">Rio 100 Events</a>. Despite not coming from a Brazilian bloodline, I thought my Portuguese fluency and paixão pro Brasil could carry me at least a little ways and that I could make up for the rest in spray tans and acrylic nails. But before I could schedule my salon appointments, my dreams of entering my first beauty pageant were shattered. I don't quality for Miss Brazil Connecticut, because my permanent address is in New York. Que pena. Still, I was determined to go to the pageant, even if not as Miss Gringa East Village.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dressed not in a bikini and heels, I will be <strike>reporting</strike> tweeting live from the Miss Brazil USA Connecticut competition at the Stamford Marriot this Sunday, October 23. I may be seated in the audience, but you can bet I'll be judging the girls just as critically as the appointed officials.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And as far as meeting my expectations of Brazilian-ness? Silvani and Frank D'Agostino, owners of Rio 100 Events, have assured me that the competition will be conducted in both Portuguese and English and that all the contestants have Brazilian or Brazilian-American backgrounds. The universe may not be as Brazilian as I'd like, but I'm lucky to live in a part of it that is. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A preview of the Miss Brazil USA Connecticut contestants will be held this <a href="http://www.icontact-archive.com/qLqIzWFp0UgeRkJhK0Nj_WLpiMx2Q1qa?w=1">Friday, October 21 at 84 Park</a> in Stamford, CT. You can purchase tickets for Sunday's contest <a href="http://www.MissBrazilCT.com/">online</a> or by calling </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Silvinho -</span></span> <a href="tel:203.667.1527">203.667.1527</a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Everaldo -</span> <a href="tel:203.449.6033">203.449.6033</a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Via Brazil -</span> <a href="tel:914.939.1234">914.939.1234</a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">RogerVibe -</span> <a href="tel:914.424.6717">914.424.6717</a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Kunjan -</span> <a href="tel:203.613.9966">203.613.9966</a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Alex Carmargo -</span> <a href="tel:203.312.6287">203.312.6287</a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Erv Master -</span> <a href="tel:908.313.0669">908.313.0669</a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Silvani D'Agostino -</span> <a href="tel:203.964.7798">203.964.7798</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Rebecca Alperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754732930439560544noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365361439773729494.post-67218793210573116882011-10-06T22:19:00.006-04:002011-10-10T21:49:28.702-04:00Daniela Mercury in NYC<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_XBMEK_Isu0hyoHVrymUnbmG9WXMpTbUdUxW08e4HYEGggE7f3g3gsokvKEwbqKMcczLLJlO3Jy0x2Dm_R2b3YrF9AsDIenB5NG5q-zkjgdtvyhtlfA-O15FkdOms_CRmNMRI98OCi6A/s1600/CIMG0729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_XBMEK_Isu0hyoHVrymUnbmG9WXMpTbUdUxW08e4HYEGggE7f3g3gsokvKEwbqKMcczLLJlO3Jy0x2Dm_R2b3YrF9AsDIenB5NG5q-zkjgdtvyhtlfA-O15FkdOms_CRmNMRI98OCi6A/s320/CIMG0729.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Revellón 2011 on Copacabana Beach</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last time I went to see Brazilian music sensation <a href="http://www.danielamercury.art.br/hotsite/2011.10/portugues.php">Daniela Mercury</a>, I couldn't get within 100 yards of the stage let alone hear a single one of her samba-axé-reggae-pop hybrid hits. The crowd was far too unruly. Revelers were focused only on meeting their own needs of waving down the nearest caipirinha or skewered shrimp vendor and guarding their rented beach chairs and coveted squares of sand. Such is New Year's Eve on Copacabana Beach, I suppose.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As much as I enjoyed Revellón 2011, I was disappointed I </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">didn't get to experience Ms. Mercury's live performance. Lucky for me, Daniela Mercury is in New York City. That's right, folks. The same woman who headlined at one of the world's largest New Year's celebrations is kicking off her North American tour <a href="http://bestbuytheater.com/eventdetail.php?id=33169">Friday, October 7</a> by taking the stage a the Best Buy Theater in Times Square. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-HdutrVxEcE3xo3kTgZIQ-4xeMFzUsCMRMceilrhVhh405BI9ul8FD5dUSV0aS_1IhyphenhyphenfAGftxT2EnsVoBr8IaWvqXyUTI7_nruPX8gP063ruIijd7Glri1yw-eRQexmL7ThM1OdId0qo/s1600/DM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-HdutrVxEcE3xo3kTgZIQ-4xeMFzUsCMRMceilrhVhh405BI9ul8FD5dUSV0aS_1IhyphenhyphenfAGftxT2EnsVoBr8IaWvqXyUTI7_nruPX8gP063ruIijd7Glri1yw-eRQexmL7ThM1OdId0qo/s320/DM.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Daniela Mercury courtesy of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150315237656922&set=a.305457651921.158488.305456021921&type=1">BlaBlaBla NYC</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daniela Mercury is known in Brazil as the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Queen of Axé, which means a supernatural force in the context of the Afro-Brazilian religion Candomblé, but is also used to described a subset of Afro-Brazilian music that originated in the Mercury's home state of Bahia. The artist's influence reaches beyond her native Bahia, however, and even beyond Brazil. Mercury is one of the country's most well known female music artists, having sold 12 million albums world-wide and placed 14 of her songs in the number one spot on Brazilian charts and 24 in the top ten. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mercury's October 7 performance also marks the US release of her most recent album, <i><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/13/arts/music/new-music-by-daniela-mercury-and-gilad-hekselman.html?_r=1">Canibália</a> (2009)</i>. And I just might have to buy a copy, since in North America, it's being packaged with a DVD of her December 31 Copacabana performance. Looks like I'll get a chance to see it after all.</span>Rebecca Alperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754732930439560544noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365361439773729494.post-12878986897667743282011-09-05T23:06:00.007-04:002011-10-17T22:58:55.662-04:00Roberto Carlos in the Holy Land<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtLK7PR_W2N1tBSQFlFK7jVpAfJK6wsYfQl-9GLpw98qaDw5rJt5ZFoHAghYQ4oguc8RJU6kHYiB85V4R-B5uw767pa8VX82UH5tIgwAcKz3lXbTAfb3dHUSoOotTDjIp2a2IBoHAIczP/s1600/Roberto+Carlos+Wailing+Wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtLK7PR_W2N1tBSQFlFK7jVpAfJK6wsYfQl-9GLpw98qaDw5rJt5ZFoHAghYQ4oguc8RJU6kHYiB85V4R-B5uw767pa8VX82UH5tIgwAcKz3lXbTAfb3dHUSoOotTDjIp2a2IBoHAIczP/s640/Roberto+Carlos+Wailing+Wall.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Guilherme Samora for Revista Quem</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Singer <a href="http://revistaquem.globo.com/Revista/Quem/0,,EMI261914-9531,00-ROBERTO+CARLOS+SE+ENCONTRA+COM+PRESIDENTE+DE+ISRAEL.html">Roberto Carlos</a>, known in his native Brazil as the King, or <i>O Rei</i> in Portuguese, is taking a tour of the Holy Land in the days leading up to his live performance in Jerusalem on Wednesday, September 7th. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since his arrival in Israel on August 31st, His Majesty has visited a number of sites holy to both Jewish and Christian traditions and has met with Israeli leaders. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of particular note was Carlos's <a href="http://revistaquem.globo.com/Revista/Quem/0,,EMI262707-9531,00-ROBERTO+CARLOS+VISITA+O+MURO+DAS+LAMENTACOES+EM+JERUSALEM.html">trip to the Western Wall</a>, a remnant of the wall that surrounded the Second Jewish Temple built around 19BCE. In keeping with Jewish tradition (and law), the King used a kippah to cover his head when he stood before the Wall and prayed</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. On his way out, Carlos exchanged hugs and well wishes with the man in charge of all Western Wall affairs, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOMbxY3KiOmfu8j3ChJJh5pnXhH3VCOk4xapWQ19ucXs1b0Ml9xEQpXZRH-IjmFzWPlSzOVBHHR852Ve3k47zDxO9pA8dyGHUnnm0nHztKh09NU6rCt7wKS-2jnFXQR_F2qp1FDuiFAGL/s1600/Roberto+Carlos+Cross+of+Jerusalem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOMbxY3KiOmfu8j3ChJJh5pnXhH3VCOk4xapWQ19ucXs1b0Ml9xEQpXZRH-IjmFzWPlSzOVBHHR852Ve3k47zDxO9pA8dyGHUnnm0nHztKh09NU6rCt7wKS-2jnFXQR_F2qp1FDuiFAGL/s640/Roberto+Carlos+Cross+of+Jerusalem.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Cláudia Shembri for TV Globo</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the <a href="http://revistaquem.globo.com/Revista/Quem/0,,EMI262672-9531,00-ROBERTO+CARLOS+SE+EMOCIONA+DURANTE+PASSEIO+PELO+SANTO+SEPULCRO.html">Church of the Holy Sepulchre</a>, where according to Christian tradition, Jesus was crucified and buried, Roberto Carlos was presented with a Cross of Jerusalem b</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">y <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 15px;">the Archbishop </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">Fouad Twal</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 15px;">.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAInWMms1IyUVowVTEphmzohxjg2NXmnUXrZmuhTq3XWU75SZbBIs1C2ZpDI18azKzS1nE02YvvomW6B2lO5Tx3_pMgXmUmjYw0rD6gTmuUECdPnYe4GfbHyzUrT_UlURl_2_Vpyqu7K0u/s1600/Roberto+Carlos+and+Shimon+Peres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAInWMms1IyUVowVTEphmzohxjg2NXmnUXrZmuhTq3XWU75SZbBIs1C2ZpDI18azKzS1nE02YvvomW6B2lO5Tx3_pMgXmUmjYw0rD6gTmuUECdPnYe4GfbHyzUrT_UlURl_2_Vpyqu7K0u/s640/Roberto+Carlos+and+Shimon+Peres.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Guilherme Samora for Revista Quem</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During a <a href="http://revistaquem.globo.com/Revista/Quem/0,,EMI261914-9531,00-ROBERTO+CARLOS+SE+ENCONTRA+COM+PRESIDENTE+DE+ISRAEL.html">meeting with Israeli President</a> and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Shimon Peres, the King showcased his Hebrew language skills saying: "S<i>halom aleinu veal kol haolam."</i> Peace to us and to all the world. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Roberto Carlos will serenade his audience with is usual messages of love this Wednesday, September 7th at the <a href="http://www.gojerusalem.com/discover/item_30/Sultans-Pool">Sultan's Pool</a>. 5,000 people are expected to fill this ancient aqueduct turned music venue, including <a href="http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=270180006328429&id=256051001074663">3,000 Brazilians</a> who are flying in just for the show. In addition to broadcasting the performance live this Wednesday, t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">he Brazilian television network, Globo, will air a TV speacial about the Carlos's trip to the Holy Land on Saturday, and a DVD of his show will be sold in 115 countries. </span></div>Rebecca Alperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754732930439560544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365361439773729494.post-85997523995162244352011-09-03T09:25:00.000-04:002011-09-03T09:25:35.558-04:00The Proof is in the Portuguese: My guest post on Viagens, Cultura e Conhecimento<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3X_uDa8pH_wWn_PlEGep9nmRzCp_4ZerWSvFzh6SWWepuqNovaj380UHgYDiO20hA6UD2NtINNEWAycRb5t2cE5Ah1vs2XtH3bTFOrtadAXXNmA2z-7oLdccXPhLMQDCYcHmPk7pSHV_/s1600/Juliana+Miranda+Headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMiwawYnymtYsMMJfWUjk68tz5rL3E-1iTvpKwl-ZXzfUPingctP07UZ8DSOrGwQPNWPV0O4L5D0htIKBqleujN5zoYI0-0vvvjhnkbgx3LzyzpOUK0dniCZ45Ix1lBhB8AFSHSks8QD_/s1600/Juliana+and+Becca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMiwawYnymtYsMMJfWUjk68tz5rL3E-1iTvpKwl-ZXzfUPingctP07UZ8DSOrGwQPNWPV0O4L5D0htIKBqleujN5zoYI0-0vvvjhnkbgx3LzyzpOUK0dniCZ45Ix1lBhB8AFSHSks8QD_/s200/Juliana+and+Becca.jpg" width="150" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Up to now, all my writing on this blog has been in English, but I assure you, I read, speak, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and write Portuguese as well. A few months ago, my good (Brazilian) friend, Juliana Miranda, asked me to write a guest post (in Portuguese) for her blog about cross cultural experiences and learning, <a href="http://www.superradiopiratininga.com.br/viagensculturaeconhecimento/">Viagens, Cultura e Conhecimento</a>. I was honored Juliana asked me to contribute the first guest post for the blog she maintains as part of her job at <a href="http://www.superradiopiratininga.com.br/">Superádio Piratininga</a> in São Paulo, but I wasn't surprised. When Juliana and I were both living in New Jersey, we spent most of our time together exchanging stories from our time abroad, contemplating the differences and similarities between our native cultures, and sharing our awe of the impact our respective experiences had had on us. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't thank Juliana enough for giving me the opportunity to share my story with her readers, and for publishing my first piece of writing in Brazil! Please check out my post and read Juliana's other insightful entries: <a href="http://www.superradiopiratininga.com.br/viagensculturaeconhecimento/?p=50">http://www.superradiopiratininga.com.br/viagensculturaeconhecimento/?p=50</a></span></div>Rebecca Alperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754732930439560544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2365361439773729494.post-34582603162770080882011-08-18T14:12:00.001-04:002011-10-01T06:53:00.443-04:00Brazilian Jazz Vocalist Patty Ascher Tours the U.S.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5omX9RV429yarV3aipTFjkw3w7ALUYmUmq36HizUMwf5MbO_IQ3VxOGyw-4zfoShqgwB9L43FZGODZfXjI1LYdAN8m8TryHuwVGJ9DMKQIgSf3iRCP2ygm4Ko2uUxTdtzEsNZsuusQH8g/s1600/patty+ascher+shows-usa.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5omX9RV429yarV3aipTFjkw3w7ALUYmUmq36HizUMwf5MbO_IQ3VxOGyw-4zfoShqgwB9L43FZGODZfXjI1LYdAN8m8TryHuwVGJ9DMKQIgSf3iRCP2ygm4Ko2uUxTdtzEsNZsuusQH8g/s1600/patty+ascher+shows-usa.gif" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Acclaimed Brazilian jazz vocalist, Patty Ascher, is back in the Big Apple after recording her brand new album, <i><a href="http://www.pattyascher.com/site/">Bossa, Jazz 'n' Samba</a> (2011)</i>. Originally from São Paulo, Patty grew up in a musical family listening to Brazilian greats, like <a href="http://youtu.be/ZpHNz3o6o9Y">Leny Andrade</a> and <a href="http://youtu.be/JMbCeM0Ro1A">Gal Costa</a>, and American Jazz divas, <a href="http://youtu.be/GUcXI2BIUOQ">Nina Simone</a>, <a href="http://youtu.be/DEaDj6TXiQQ">Ella Fitzgerald</a>, and <a href="http://youtu.be/-FsqEG_3p5g">Dinah Washington</a>. Still, only in college did Patty begin to dream of a singing career and pursued musical and literature studies simultaneously. After earning a Masters degree in Literature, Patty met <a href="http://youtu.be/GnTZ_9_1MW8">Roberto Menescal</a>, one of the founding fathers of bossa nova, who invited with her to record her first CD, <i><a href="http://www.pattyascher.com/site/old/english/">Bacharach Bossa Club</a></i> (2007).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">In the years that followed, Patty was invited to perform shows in New York City and tour with jazz composer and pianist <a href="http://youtu.be/mM3ZAv9SD30">Michel Legrand in Brazil</a>, among other honors. Tonight, she kicks off her U.S. tour in Miami, with shows booked in <a href="http://www.kennedy-center.org/explorer/artists/?entity_id=75303&source_type=B">Washington DC</a> and <a href="http://www.getshowtix.com/regattabar/moreinfo.cgi?id=2333">Boston</a>, as well as in New York. Ascher's New York show will take place on Monday, <a href="http://www.bluenote.net/newyork/schedule/moreinfo.cgi?id=9150">August 22</a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">at Blue Note, the premier jazz club in the West Village.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> Her set list will likely draw heavily from her <a href="http://www.pattyascher.com/site/">new album</a> sprinkled with interpretations of her musical influencers, but here is a preview of her soothing vocals covering Dusty Springfield's "</span><a href="http://youtu.be/IW_kMtut25M">The Look of Love</a>.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F13629823"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed allowscriptaccess="always" height="81" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F13629823" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%"></embed> </object> <a href="http://soundcloud.com/sumeile/103-patty-ascher-the-look-of">103 Patty Ascher The Look Of Love (Theme From Casino Royale)</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/sumeile">sumeile</a> <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Tickets for Patty Ascher's New York show on August 22 are available through Blue Note's </span></span><a href="http://www.bluenote.net/newyork/schedule/moreinfo.cgi?id=9150">website</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #274e13;">.</span>Rebecca Alperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754732930439560544noreply@blogger.com0