Preparing for New Year's on a beach in Rio.

Brazilians have lots of New Year superstitions and traditions. For example, many people go to the beach and jump seven waves, making a wish to each one, in order to have a lucky new year. This tradition was brought to Brazil by African slaves, and honors Iemanjá, the Queen of Seas. The lucky number seven represents Exu, Iemanjá's son. The "seven jumps" will open a clear path into the new year. According to the tradition, if you don't turn your back to the sea as you leave the water, all your wishes will come true!

Another superstition is to wear colors believed to bring luck. Each color represents a different blessing. Some people dress all in white to represent peace. Others prefer a more "colorful" approach, with underwear in different hues:

White - peace
Blue - harmony
Yellow - wealth
Red - passion
Pink - love
Green - hope
Orange - success
Violet - inspiration

Gift Certificates
Give knowledge this holiday season, a gift that lasts a lifetime! In response to many requests, Brazil Station is offering gift certificates for the holidays. Gift certificates can cover a certain number of classes or a certain dollar amount.

To learn more or to order gift certificates, contact us at Newsletter@BrazilStation.com or call 646-287-6645. 

Don't Miss 2007 Discount Rates 
Take advantage of 2007 rates and order your 2008 classes now! Any orders placed by December 31, 2007 will receive the 2007 rate, before our new rates for 2008 go into effect. And don't forget to ask about Brazil Station's special discount packages, to receive in greater savings.

Click here to order classes, contact us at Info@BrazilStation.com or call 646-287-6645.  

A breathtaking view of Rio de Janeiro, with Sugar Loaf Mountain in the distance.

Rio de Janeiro is one of the most beautiful cities on the planet. A visit to one of the city's two major vantage points, Pão de Açúcar (Sugar Loaf Mountain) or Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer), reveals the incredibly lush natural landscape just beyond the city lights. Sugar Loaf Mountain provides a 360-degree view of Rio and Guanabara Bay, a natural habor surrounded by steep mountains. Christ the Redeemer, recently elected one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World," offers views of Rio's two major mountain ranges – the Zona Norte (North Zone) and the Zona Sul (South Zone) – from its perch high on Corcovado Mountain. Cariocas (Rio natives) disagree on which of the two spots gives the best view. Your best bet is to enjoy both!

Rio's attractions are as varied as its landscape. Sunlovers flock to its famous beaches, including Copacabana and Ipanema. Football fans (or soccer to American visitors) can make a pilgrimage to Rio's Maracanã Stadium to lay their feet in the footprints of the great Pelé and many other legends of the game. Everyone has a good time at Rio's  New Year festival, second only to Carnival in size and excitement. Celebrations throughout Rio ring in the New Year with public concerts and firework spectacular, with the largest party on Copacabana beach.

A crash course on Portuguese at Brazil Station will come in handy to anyone heading to Rio. Although it's true many Brazilians understand and speak Spanish, it is not their native language. Knowing the right Portuguese phrases will make a great trip even better!

Enjoying great Brazilian food at our November Meetup!

After an hour of zouk, we will head to:

Brazil Brazil Grill
328 West 46th St (at 8th Ave)
New York, NY 10036
(212) 957-4300
Click here to get directions

See Maria Bethania, Música é Perfume on Dec. 9 & 11; Hear music from Green Heart on Dec. 17.

Screening: Maria Bethania, Música é Perfume - Dec. 9 & 11, 6pm & 8pm

As part of the 15th Annual African Diaspora Film Festival, Thalia Theatre will screen Georges Gachot's Maria Bethania, Música é Perfume on Sunday, December 9 at 6pm and 8pm, and Tuesday, December 11 at 6pm and 8pm. In this captivating film, Gachot invites us to enter the universe of Maria Bethania, the famous Brazilian singer. Narrated by Bethania herself, the film no only provides insight into the intimate sphere of Maria Bethania's creative process, but into the history of Brazilian music. First a muse of the so-called counter culture, and then the queen of romantic ballads, Maria Bethania chronicles her musical life experience in relation to the development of  Brazilian society. Gachot gathers together a fantastic ensemble of contributors including Gilberto Gil, Nana Caymmi, Miucha, Chico Buarque, and Caetano Veloso, all of them witnesses and participants to some of the greatest music history of our time.

For a complete list of the Festival's films, check www.nyadff.org.

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Nilson Matta, Zé Luis, & Paulo Braga at Joe's Pub - Dec. 17 at 9:30pm

Three extraordinary Brazilian artists, Nilson Matta, Zé Luis, and Paulo Braga, have joined together to create the new company New Orbita Media Group. Their first CD, Green Heart, blends three unique musical styles and the artists' individual talents into one seamless compilation dedicated to the Amazon Rainforest. Matta, Zé Luis, Braga and their special guests will perform compositions created for Green Heart at Joe's Pub on Monday, December 17 at 9:30pm.

For more information, check http://web.joespub.com.

Joe's Pub
425 Lafayette Street
New York, NY 10003
(212) 967-7555
Click here to get directions

Making a list & checking it twice - Brazil Station teachers at work

1. Nível 1S Básico - Beginner Level 1 group class for Spanish Speakers will start on Tuesday, January 8 at 6:15pm. It is for people fluent in Spanish and/or Italian with little or no knowledge of Portuguese.

2. Nível 1 Básico - Beginner Level 1 group class will start on Tuesday, January 8 at 8pm. It is for people with little or no knowledge of Portuguese.

3. Nível 2S Básico - Beginner Level 2 group class for Spanish Speakers will start on Wednesday, January 9 at 8pm. It is for people fluent in Spanish and/or Italian who have some knowledge of Portuguese.

4. Nível 2 Básico - Beginner Level 2 group class will start on Thursday, January 10 at 6:15pm. It is for people who have some knowledge of Portuguese.

We offer Private and Semi-private classes from Monday to Saturday. You can start taking classes with us at any day, any time. In addition to our traditional Portuguese classes, Brazil Station also offers Portuguese for Spanish/Italian Speakers, Business Portuguese, and Travel Classes. We teach off-site classes and Corporate Language Education as well. Contact us at (646) 287-6645 or Newsletter@BrazilStation.com to find the right programs for you!

Adeus ano velho
Good-bye old year

Feliz Ano Novo
Happy New Year

Que tudo se realize
May every wish come true

No ano que vai nascer
During the year that is just being born

Muito dinheiro no bolso
With a lot of money in our pockets

Saúde prá dar e vender
Health to keep and to share