Gymnast Diego Hypolito hopes to bring home Olympic gold for Brazil. .

A select group of athletes has been preparing for one of the biggest competitions in the world, as the rest of the world waits in anticipation. The 2008 Olympic Games will officially open this Friday, August 8, in China. The Olympic soccer competition, however, will start tomorrow! You will need to set your alarm clock, though, because the Brazilian women's team faces Germany at 5am on Wednesday, August 6. Then the men's team takes on Belgium at 5am on Thursday, August 7. In total, 12 women's teams and 16 men's teams will represent their countries in Olympic soccer.

Brazil is a very passionate Olympic competitor, bringing 272 athletes to contend in nearly every sport. The country is looking to improve its standing in total medals from the 76 medals won during the last Games.

In the Athletics division, Brazil is bringing 45 athletes. Favorites include Marilson Gomes, who won the New York City Marathon in 2006; Fabiana Murer, who won a gold medal in the Pan American Games in Rio; Maurren Maggi, a gold medalist in the Pan American Games; and Jadel Gregorio, who was 5th place in the final standings of the last Olympic Games in Greece.

In Gymnastic Arts, Jade Barbosa and Diego Hypolito are Olympic veterans and big medal contenders. Jade, at 17 years of age, has already received gold, silver, and bronze medals in the 2007 Pan American Games. Diego won two gold medals at the same competition. Diego's success, however, may be effected by recent injuries. He underwent knee surgery in March 2008 and hopes to heal in time for China. His fate calls to mind gymnast Daiane do Santos, a favorite in the last Olympic Games, who suffered an injury and underwent surgery just a few months before competing in Greece.

In Sailing, Robert Scheidt leads a field of three strong Brazilian contenders, having won everything in the Laser category, where competitors race small dinghies manned by one- or two-person crews. He will compete in the Star category in China, racing a keelboat as part of a two-person crew.

Brazil is featured in the Group Competitions for soccer, volleyball, beach volleyball, and basketball. Most of the competitors in the group sports are veterans with high hopes of bringing home medals.

More information about the 2008 Olympic Games:
http://en.beijing2008.cn/ (in English)
http://ultimosegundo.ig.com.br/olimpiada/ (in Portuguese)

Article written by Vanessa Souza

Ouro Preto's stunning architecture and rich history draw visitors from around the world. .

Ouro Preto (Black Gold) is a city in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. It was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of its outstanding Baroque architecture.

Founded at the end of the 17th century, Ouro Preto was the focal point of the gold rush and Brazil's Golden Age in the 18th century. The city's many ornate, gold- leafed Baroque churches speak to this history and the region's rich mineral wealth. Religious architecture and sculpture reached its zenith during the mid-1700's under the skillful hands of Antônio Francisco Lisboa, better known as Aleijadinho (Little Cripple). The Church of São Francisco de Assis and the façade of the Church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo are his masterpieces.

In late 1790's, a group of intellectuals and professionals assembled in Ouro Preto to plan Brazil's independence from Portugal. The movement, known as Inconfidência Mineira was promptly crushed by the Crown, and its leader, a dentist immortalized as Tiradentes (toothpuller), was executed and beheaded.

Today Ouro Preto attracts tourists from all over Brazil and the world who want to know more about Brazilian history and to marvel at the sacred art of Aleijadinho and Ataíde. Local arts and crafts and the typical food from Minas Gerais are also popular. And if culture and history become tiresome, a trip to Ouro Preto's Itacolomi State Park offers emersion in nature with hiking trails and many waterfalls.

Click here to see satellite view of Ouro Preto's historic center at Google Maps.
To learn more, check http://www.ouropreto.org.br/.

The crowd cheers near the mainstage at last year's Brazilian Day celebration.

Every Labor Day weekend, New York gets a little closer to Brazil as a sea of green and yellow floods 6th Avenue. The annual Brazilian Day celebration brings out thousands of Brazilians abroad, Brazilians by birth, and folks who want to be Brazilian for the day.

Since its start in the 1980's, New York's Brazilian Day celebration has grown rapidly, with an estimated 1.5 million people at the 2007 event. Though Brazil's actual Independence Day is September 7, the New York festival is traditionally held over Labor Day weekend. Come be a part of Brazilian history in New York on Sunday, August 31! Brazil Station will have a booth at the festival, and we will be happy to see you there.

To join the celebration, head to “Little Brazil”— the neighborhood at 46th Street between 6th Avenue and Times Square—and 6th Avenue between 43rd and 57th Street. The official party lasts from 11am to sunset. Be sure to catch a live performance on the main stage, located at 43rd Street. Performers include Lulu Santos, Jorge Benjor, and Banda Eva, with the promise of surprise guests.

For more information, visit http://www.brazilianday.com/home.html (in Portuguese) or http://www.brazilianday.com/english/home.html (in English).

Maria Rita lights up SummerStage.

Maria Rita at Central Park Summer Stage and movie, The House of Tom - Mundo, Monde, Mondo, directed by Ana Jobin—Sunday, August 10, at 7pm.

Join us for an exciting opportunity to enjoy good weather, good company, and Brazilian culture. We will meet at 6pm within the SummerStage area, located near Rumsey Playfield at West 72nd Street. We will have some yellow and green balloons to be visible to everyone.

At 7pm, Brazilian superstar Maria Rita takes the stage. The daughter of Brazilian musical legends César Camargo Mariano and Elis Regina, Maria Rita has developed her own jazzy vocal style modeled on such classic singers as Ella Fitzgerald. Her first album, Maria Rita, went platinum in 2003 and made her an international star in her own right.

Following Maria Rita's performance, see a feature screening of The House of Tom - Mundo, Monde, Mondo, a documentary chronicling the life of Brazilian maestro Antonio Carlos Jobim. The film was produced and directed by his widow, photographer Ana Jobim. She brings together never before released images and interviews covering 15 years of his day-to-day life, including the birth of a couple of important compositions. The film is presented in association with Cine Fest Brasil.

Admission to all free performances is on a first-come, first-served basis, no tickets required. For more information check http://www.centralpark.com/pages/map-it/maps.html

Central Park SummerStage - Rumsey Playfield
72nd St Station
New York, NY 10001
Enter the park at 69th Street and 5th Avenue on the east side or at 72nd Street and Central Park West on the west side.

l to r: Cine Fest, Aug. 10-16; A Lavagem da Rua 46, Aug. 30; & Leny Andrade, Aug. 30 .

VI Cine Fest Petrobras Brasil-NY — August 10-16

Central Park, Tribeca Cinemas, and the United Nations will host the fourth Cine Fest Petrobras Brasil-NY. Filmmakers, actors, and directors from different regions of Brazil will be at the culture capital of the world to present the best productions made in Brazil. During the 7 days of the event 24 films will be screened. This year Cine Fest pays tribute to the 50 years of Bossa Nova with Maria Rita in concert and the exhibition Out of Tune.

For more information and complete list of movies, check http://www.brazilianfilmfestival.com/2008/ny/programacao-tribeca.asp?lang=ing

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A Lavagem da Rua 46 — Saturday, August 30 at 9am

This year, a new attraction has been added to the annual Brazilian Day festivities in New York City. It's called A Lavagem da Rua 46, which translates into English as The Cleansing of 46th Street. The performances, meant to purify and energize, celebrate the natural base elements of water, flowers, and perfumes in the goal of bringing peace and the unification of all people.

The location for this special festivity is Little Brazil Street, West 46th Street, where Brazilian Day started 24 years ago. A procession will start with traditional Bahianas, dressed in white and adorned with colorful beads and rosaries in honor of all the saints, as is done in Bahia. Each person carries vases filled with flowers and perfumed water, which purifies the journey of the procession. The traditional music will be in the pace of the afoxé rhythm, performed to the sound of the agogôs and timbaus, traditional instruments. Brazilian artists, musicians, dancers and followers of the Brazilian culture will accompany the songs. At the end of the procession, the official opening ceremony of Brazilian Day will take place on Madison Avenue.

After the cleansing, the event continues for two days on West 46th Street, with a variety of shows on a stage specially mounted to showcase the work of local Brazilian artists.

West 46th Street between 6th and Madison Avenues.
New York, NY

Leny Andrade — Saturday, August 30 at 8:30pm

Leny Andrade, Brazilian chanteuse extraordinaire, is coming to Birdland. Leny is the ultimate musician/singer, adored by fans and fellow musicians, who proclaim her "magical." From Tony Bennett to Danilo Perez, she is admired for her unique vocal approach inspired by instrumentalists. She arranges harmonies, rhythm changes, and melodies with the same care as a horn player and has great skill as an improviser. Paquito D'Rivera is one of her greatest fans, praising her as an artist who truly “understands the words of a tune and breathes life into lyrics.”

Leny recently performed at the prestigious Tanglewood Festival to a crowd of thousands who were thrilled by her talent, warmth, and authenticity. At the newly created Bossabrasil Festival at Birdland, she preformed with the legendary César Camargo Mariano and Romero Lubambo, along with special guest Paquito D'Rivera. She recently received a Grammy for her recording with Mariano.

Leny now comes to Birdland to celebrate “50 Years of Bossa Nova” with her own band, featuring Dario Eskenazi on piano, Helio Scheavo on drums, and Kip Reed on bass. The evening is produced by Pat Philips and Ettore Stratta.

For more information, call (212) 581-3080 or visit http://www.birdlandjazz.com.

Birdland
315 W. 44th Street
New York, NY

A private lesson at Brazil Station. .

We will have several new Group classes starting in the coming weeks. Other groups may also be formed based on demand.

1. N1B - Beginner Level 1 group class will start on Tuesday, August 19 at 6:15pm. It is for people with little or no knowledge of Portuguese.

2. N1BS - Beginner Level 1 group class for Spanish Speakers will start Wednesday, August 20 at 8pm. It is for people fluent in Spanish and/or Italian with little or no knowledge of Portuguese.

3. N2B - Beginner Level 2 group class will start on Monday, August 18 at 6:15pm. It is for people who have some knowledge of Portuguese.

4. N2BS - Beginner Level 2 group class for Spanish Speakers will start on Wednesday, August 20 at 6:15pm. It is for people fluent in Spanish and/or Italian with some knowledge of Portuguese.

5. N3B - Beginner Level 3 group class will start on Monday, August 11 at 8pm. It is for people with a decent knowledge of Portuguese.

Contact us to assess your current level and to discuss your goals for learning at (646) 287-6645 or Newsletter@BrazilStation.com.

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. 

This summer, the 2008 Olympics Games will be held in China, in Beijing—in Portuguese, “na China” and “em Beijing,” because China is a country and requires a feminine article, and Beijing is a city, which does not need an article before its name. Here are some more language tips for discussing the Olympics:

The Opening Ceremony will be on 08/08/08. — A cerimônia de abertura será em 08/08/08.

The torch will be carried into the ceremony. — A tocha será trazida para a cerimônia.

There are three medals: Gold, Silver, and Bronze. — Há três medalhas: Ouro, Prata e Bronze.

The athletes at the Olympics show dedication, motivation, and perseverance. — Os atletas das Olimpíadas demonstram dedicação, motivação e perseverança.

Some sports where Brazil will be competiting: soccer, basketball, volleyball, swimming. — Alguns esportes nos quais o Brasil irá competir: futebol, basquete, vôlei, natação.

What is your favorite sport in the Olympics? — Qual é seu esporte favorito nas Olimpíadas?

Could you get tickets for the game? — Você conseguiu ingressos para o jogo?

The crowd will be rooting for their country. — Os torcedores vão torcer por seu país.