Mohawks All Around: Neymar for Santander

Cheers to the guy or girl who realized Neymar's hair looks just like the Santander logo!

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."

Brazilian Carnaval in New York City, Saturday, March 3

Gymfabulous: Brazilian Fitness Fashion

Fashion by Vivian blog

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).

Brazilian Stereotypes Inside and Out

This image was bouncing around on Facebook the other day. And I've seen similar renditions depicting other nationalities and U.S. States. 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. 

Sending Love from Brazil

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. 

February 14th is not Valentines Day is Brazil, but I still found a way to add a little Brazilian flavor to my romantic routine.

Singer Mônica da Silva Straddles America and the Amazon

I recently reviewed for Sounds and Colours Putumayo’s newest world music compilation, Brazilian Beats. 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, Mônica da Silva, has roots in Belém, my home away from home.

My First International Race: Corrida de Belém

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 Corrida de Belém.

MOZIK Release Party: Brazilian flavored jazz

MOZIK release party at Drom

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Doors: 9pm, Show: 9:30

Tickets: $10-$15

Event and ticket info

MOZIK is:
Gilson Schachnik / piano,keys
Mauricio Zottarelli / drums, percussion   
Fernando Huergo / bass
Yulia Musayelyan / flute 
Gustavo assis Brasil / guitar 

Bebel's Blooper at the Highline Ballroom

Photo credit: sidewalkshoes

To kick off its 2012 season, SummerStage brought a killer line up to the Highline Ballroom this past Thursday, including nu bossa sweetheart Bebel Gilberto. 

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.

Brazilian bum bum at New York City's Annual No Pants Subway Ride

Photograph: Thomas Donley for Time Out New York

 From Time Out New York:

For the eleventh year, thousands of subway riders stripped to their skivvies for Improv Everywhere'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.

See more photos from the No Pants Subway ride and after party at: http://newyork.timeout.com/things-to-do/own-this-city-blog/2459359/photos-no-pants-subway-ride-2012?cmpid=twit

Brazilian Music Showcase at Le Poisson Rouge January 9

If you are a lover or student of Brazilian Music, this event is your one-stop-shop! 

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. 

Here's a full description of the event from the organizers:

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

Artists

Mauricio Zottarelli Quintet Critically acclaimed and award-winning drummer and composer. Brazilian Contemporary Jazz. “Outstanding – Much more than drums, cymbals, and drumsticks. 4 stars.”
(O Estado de São Paulo”, Brazil) 

Paula Santoro 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 

Pedro Moraes Electro-Samba adventurer (NPR.ORG) 

Mariana Baltar Embraced as one of the leading, most sophisticated names of samba and Brazilian Popular Music, “strolls resourcefulness along the melodic and lyric spring that marks the paths of a new generation of composers.” (Jornal do Brasil)  

Sergio Krakowski w/ Choro Funk 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.

Explorative Brazilian Music at Le Poisson Rouge

Doors: 9:30 PM, Show: 10:00 PM

Advance tickets: $15 ($20 at the door)

Event and ticket information: http://lepoissonrouge.com/events/view/2919

Diogo Nogueira at S.O.B's January 7

I last wrote about Diogo Nogueira when he performed in New York in July at Lincoln Center's Midsummer Night Swing. Now, the soccer pro turned samba star is back in the Big Apple, this time at S.O.B.'s in Soho. 

So what's new with Diogo since he last graced the New York stage? 

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 Fina Estampa and teen series Malhação. For the reality sports show Nas Ondas de Itacaré, Diogo took to the waves of southern Bahia with pro surfers 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. 

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. 

Diogo Nogueira at S.O.B.'s

Saturday, January 7

10pm (9pm doors)

Tickets and event information available online

Read the preview I wrote for this show for Sounds and Colours Magazine. 

Bebel Gilberto Headlines First Show of SummerStage 2012 Season

Photo by: Nilton Silva

New York’s Summer Stage is kicking off its 2012 season with an evening of performances by Nu-bossa bombshell, Bebel Gilberto, Grammy-nominated jazz singer Gregory Porter and other acclaimed artists at Highline Ballroom in New York City on January 5th.

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.

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 (and a kiss) with singer/composer Sandra de Sá.

If a duet with Gregory porter is in store, I’m excited to see it!

Bebel Gilberto, Gregory Porter and More @ Highline Ballroom
Thursday 5th January
Doors: 6pm, Show: 7pm
Tickets: $20

Event and tickets: highlineballroom.com/bio.php?id=2230

This post was written for Sounds and Colours. See the original text here.

Ring in the New Year Rio Style at S.O.B's

Flights to Rio are mostly sold out this season, but don't worry. You can experience the best of Réveillon right here in New York City. Take it from someone who counts herself among the 2 million revelers who crowded onto Copacabana Beach last December 31st. 

At S.O.B.'s this New Year's Eve, ring in the New Year Rio style. And there won't be any sand in your caipirinhas!

Pick from three packages that include varying levels of dinner, drinks and dancing. Live performances by Brasil Live and La Excelencia 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 instructors, too).

This will be a festa to remember, depending, of course, on how much champagne you toast at midnight. 

Tickets available for purchase online.

Criolo Was Here

Criolo performing at Nublu, December 7, 2011

Within hours of stepping off an international flight last week, Brazilian rapper/singer, Criolo, dropped a new music video whose name was trending on Twitter in Brazil 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 sold out in 30 minutes. And he's booked for three more shows before the year's end. Such is the day-to-day of Brazil's 2011 New Artist of the Year... except when he's performing in New York. 

I found out about Criolo's New York debut five days before the show in a cryptic tweet by the artist. After some searching, I uncovered more details. On the Nublu Jazz Festival flyer, 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. 

At Nublu's 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. 

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 repertoire of another vocal artist. 

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. During "Não Existe Amor em SP" (There is no love in São Paulo), he stood still, his head cocked to one side, his eyes focused in the distance. I wanted to know what he was seeing. Criolo was standing on the stage before me, but his spirit was elsewhere, only loosely attached to the man with the microphone. 
Não Existe Amor em SP by criolo_oficial

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. 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. 

Still, he maintains a positive outlook. 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. 

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'd never foreseen this happening in this life time. It had been a far off dream, if that. 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.

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).

I asked Criolo about his album, Nó na Orelha, which he is distributing freely. "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.

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. 

In a cover story 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: 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 think that says it all. 

Brazil's Criolo at Nublu JazzFest, December 7

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. 

The name Nublu Jazzfest is deceivingly homogeneous. A more accurate name might be Crazy-Awesome-Like-You've-Never-Imagined-Up-Close-Music-Week.

The third annual Nublu Jazzfest 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. 

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, 62 Avenue C.

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, Song of the Year, and New Artist of the Year. 

If you aren't convinced, you should go see Criolo's live at Nublu, download his award-winning album, Nó na Orelha, and give a listen. It's FREE!

Berimbau: The best açaí I've never had

Hash de Bacalhau (front), caipirinha, feijão and arroz (middle), omelet (top).

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.

A Berimbau
 Joel "Pica Pau" Zimmer
for Raízes do Brasil 

This past Saturday, my roommate and I enjoyed a boozey Brazilian brunch at Berimbau 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.

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. 

Note that I haven't yet mentioned açaí, the Amazonian wonder-fruit. Although açaí was the first thing I ordered, well, second after the caipirinha, I was politely denied it. 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. 

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, women's-magazine-reading, weigh-wathcing, Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Oz fans 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.

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 açaí na tigela com granola, and am confident it will be the most authentic, delicious açaí I will have tasted outside of Brazil. 

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.

• 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. 

• 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. If the answer is frozen concentrate, however, you may proceed. It's the closest thing you'll get to the real deal.

• 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. 

Brazil is calling you. Will you answer?

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. 

The government-sponsored campaign made its debut on New York City subways cars back in April, but I first noticed it at the starting line of the New York City Marathon on November 6th. Flying high above the Verazzano Bridge was a plane with a yellow banner trailing behind it that read in green lettering: Brazil is calling you. Run in Rio in 2012. "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."

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. 

The Friday after I ran the marathon was the New York premiere of the Brazilian film, "Elite Squad: The Enemy Within," 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.

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, José Padilha, would be hosting a question and answer session afterwards. 

"Elite Squad: The Enemy Within" 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. 

From left to right: José Padilha, random adoring fan,
and yours truly, photo-bomber extraordinaire

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

42 Kilometers: Brazil and the NYC Marathon

This past Sunday, November 6th, I ran the New York City Marathon. 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. 

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 motivation for my running the marathon. But seeing and hearing signs of Brazil on race day made the 26.2 miles (or 42 kilometers) fast and fun.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. @ElizondoGabriel, commented on Twitter: "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." 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. 

And the winner is...

Bethania Tavares, winner of Miss Brazil USA Connecticut 2011

Lais Silva, Runner Up

Adna Raimundo, Third Place

Judges also awarded the titles of Miss Simpatia (Miss Congeniality) and Miss Fotogênica (Miss Photogenic) to Karen Olivera and Karina Lima.

Congratulations to Silvani D'Agostino of Rio 100 on organizing a tremendously successful event.

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." 

Best of luck to Bethania, Lais, Adna, Karen and Karina who are moving onto the national Miss USA Brazil 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.