Daniela Mercury in NYC

Revellón 2011 on Copacabana Beach

The last time I went to see Brazilian music sensation Daniela Mercury, 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.

As much as I enjoyed Revellón 2011, I was disappointed I 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 Friday, October 7 by taking the stage a the Best Buy Theater in Times Square. 

Daniela Mercury courtesy of BlaBlaBla NYC

Daniela Mercury is known in Brazil as the 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. 

Mercury's October 7 performance also marks the US release of her most recent album, Canibália (2009). 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.

Roberto Carlos in the Holy Land

Guilherme Samora for Revista Quem

Singer Roberto Carlos, known in his native Brazil as the King, or O Rei 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. 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.  

Of particular note was Carlos's trip to the Western Wall, 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. On his way out, Carlos exchanged hugs and well wishes with the man in charge of all Western Wall affairs, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz.

Cláudia Shembri for TV Globo

At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where according to Christian tradition, Jesus was crucified and buried, Roberto Carlos was presented with a Cross of Jerusalem by the Archbishop Fouad Twal.

Guilherme Samora for Revista Quem

During a meeting with Israeli President and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Shimon Peres, the King showcased his Hebrew language skills saying: "Shalom aleinu veal kol haolam." Peace to us and to all the world. 

Roberto Carlos will serenade his audience with is usual messages of love this Wednesday, September 7th at the Sultan's Pool. 5,000 people are expected to fill this ancient aqueduct turned music venue, including 3,000 Brazilians who are flying in just for the show. In addition to broadcasting the performance live this Wednesday, the 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. 

The Proof is in the Portuguese: My guest post on Viagens, Cultura e Conhecimento

Up to now, all my writing on this blog has been in English, but I assure you, I read, speak, 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, Viagens, Cultura e Conhecimento. I was honored Juliana asked me to contribute the first guest post for the blog she maintains as part of her job at Superádio Piratininga 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. 

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: http://www.superradiopiratininga.com.br/viagensculturaeconhecimento/?p=50