Special guest speaker Romero Lubambo.

From the cool sophisticated rhythms of his native Brazil to hard bop and pop, Romero Lubambo is a guitarist comfortable in any musical setting. He is an uncommonly gifted soloist, blessed with a steady stream of unpredictably creative musical thoughts and the virtuosity to deliver them ever so tastefully. Romero's guitar playing brings together the styles and rhythms of his native Brazilian musical heritage with his fluency in the American Jazz tradition to form a distinctive new sound. 

Check his website www.romerolubambo.com to learn more about this great Brazilian artist.

Below you will find information about the Música Brasil course and other group classes beginning in June. If you are interested in learning more, contact us at Info@BrazilStation.com.

Meeting a "local" in Fernando de Noronha.

The islands, one of the most important ecological sanctuaries in the world, have been carefully developed to sustain their natural beauty and local culture. Today, Fernando de Noronha offers a balance between man and nature. Visitors enjoy nice amenities and a full infrastructure of tourism services. In some towns, visitors have the chance to stay with locals who have turned their humble houses into charming inns.

One of the most beautiful scenes on the island can be observed each day at sunrise, when groups of dolphins enter the bay's calm, protected waters. Sea turtles may also be seen from November onwards, as they gather in groups on the water's surface to compete for mates.

Fernando de Noronha is considered the best scuba diving in Brazil thanks to its warm, clear water (28°C with 30 meters of visibility) and its exuberant sub-aquatic fauna and flora: dolphins, tortoises, sharks, and a large variety of fish are all attracted the islands' colorful reefs.

Tip: You need at least 5 days to really enjoy Noronha's numerous attractions. It is a good idea to exchange your foreign currency for Brazilian Reais before going to the island, since the majority of local inns, restaurants and souvenir stores don't take credit cards.

For more information, visit http://www.ilhadenoronha.com.br/.

A typical beach scene in Brazil.

Now you're ready for some fun in the Brazilian sun!

Making new friends at a bate-papo.

We will have a regularly occurring bate-papo (relaxed conversation) event on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month where attendees are encouraged to speak Portuguese the whole time. All levels welcome, from beginners to native speakers.

The event is free (you may choose to purchase food or drinks) and is an opportunity for people to practice Portuguese and meet new people in a friendly environment. If you don't speak Portuguese yet, we will be happy to teach you at Brazil Station!

The next bate-papo will be Thursday, June 17, from 7pm to 9pm at Gregory's Coffee.

Gregory's Coffee
327 Park Avenue South (corner of Park and 24th)
New York, NY 10010
212-979-8600
Get directions to Gregory's Coffee

June's line-up is a "who's who" of Brazilian music (from left to right): Djavan on June 10, João Gilberto on June 23, and Gilberto Gil on June 24.

Born into a poor family in Maceió (capital of Alagoas in Northeast Brazil), Djavan first formed the Beatles-cover group Luz, Som, Dimensão (LSD - "Light, Sound, Dimension"). In 1973, Djavan moved to Rio de Janeiro and started singing in local nightclubs. After competing in several festivals, he gained attention of several record labels and recorded the album A Voz, o Violão e a Arte de Djavan in 1976. The album included the song "Flor de Lis" which became one of his most memorable hits.

Albums that followed featured his varied musical influences, including African rhythms, and the hits "Açaí", "Sina" and "Samurai" showcased Stevie Wonder's harmonica. His songs have been recorded by Al Jarreau, Carmen McRae, The Manhattan Transfer, and, in Brazil, by Gal Costa, Chico Buarque, Daniela Mercury, Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethânia, and other artists.

Djavan plays the Nokia Theatre on Tuesday, June 10 at 8pm. For more information, visit www.nokiatheatrenyc.com

Nokia Theatre - Times Square
1515 Broadway at 44th Street
New York City
Get directions to Nokia Theatre

João Gilberto - Monday, June 23 at 8pm

A one-of-a-kind character in the history of popular Brazilian Music, João Gilberto single-handedly transformed the way people sang and played guitar in 20th-century Brazil. Idolized by many, regarded as a genius, despised by a few, labeled as "insane"—it is pretty hard not to have an opinion about him!

Born in Juazeiro (on the countryside of Bahia in Northeast Brazil), João was given a guitar at the age of 14 and he never let go. He is credited with having created the bossa nova beat and is known as the "Father of Bossa Nova." His seminal recordings, including many songs by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes, established the new musical genre in the late 1950s.

João Gilberto plays the JVC Jazz Festival at Carnegie Hall on Monday, June 23 at 8pm. For more information, visit www.carnegiehall.org.

JVC Jazz Festival New York - Carnegie Hall
881 7th Ave
New York, NY 10019
(212) 632-0540
Get directions to Carnegie Hall

Gilberto Gil  - Tuesday, June 24 at 7pm

Gilberto Gil began playing music as a child and was still a teen when he joined his first band. He started out as a bossa nova musician and soon began writing songs that reflected a new focus on political awareness and social activism. He was a key figure in the Música Popular Brasileira (MPB) and Tropicalismo movements of the 1960s, alongside longtime collaborator Caetano Veloso. Gil's musical style incorporates an eclectic range of influences, including rock, Brazilian samba and forró, African music, and reggae. Since 2003, he has been serving as Brazil's Minister of Culture in the administration of left-wing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Gilberto Gil plays the Nokia Theatre on Tuesday, June 24 at 7pm. For more information, visit www.nokiatheatrenyc.com.

Nokia Theatre - Times Square
1515 Broadway at 44th Street
New York City
Get directions to Nokia Theatre

1. Música Brasil - This course is for Brazilians and people with any background fluent in Portuguese who like Brazilian music and want to learn more about samba, bossa nova and MPB. It will critically examine and distinguish Brazilian popular music from the 1960's, 70's and 80's in the context of musical, political and cultural movements.  The course will be held twice a week on Mondays and Wednesday starting on Monday, June 9 at 8pm. 

2. N1B - Beginner Level 1 group class will start on Monday, June 9 at 6:15pm. It is for people with little or no knowledge of Portuguese. 

3. N1BS - Beginner Level 1 group class for Spanish Speakers will start Wednesday, June 11 at 6:15pm. It is for people fluent in Spanish and/or Italian with little or no knowledge of Portuguese.

4. N2B - Beginner Level 2 group class will start on Thursday, June 26 at 6:15pm. It is for people who have some knowledge of Portuguese. 

5. N2BS - Beginner Level 2 group class for Spanish Speakers will start on Thursday, June 26 at 8pm. It is for people fluent in Spanish and/or Italian with some knowledge of Portuguese.

6. N3B - Beginner Level 3 group class will start on Monday, July 14 at 6:15pm. It is for people with a decent knowledge of Portuguese.

7. N3BS - Beginner Level 3 group class for Spanish Speakers will start on Wednesday, July 9 at 6:15pm. It is for people fluent in Spanish and/or Italian with a decent 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 and 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!

It’s finally warm and people are eager to go to the beach.  Here are some words you will need when you are on a Brazilian beach: