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| August 2009 |
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In this newsletter you can lean more about Fortaleza, the Brazilian coastal city with more sunny days each year than any other; find many local events organized by Brazil Station and sponsored by other organizations; and, of course, language tips and new classes, including Travel Class for those who need a crash course in Portuguese before a trip to Brazil, Musica Brasil, Brazilian History (Modern Democracy), and four group classes at different levels. I hope you enjoy the newsletter!
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Visit Brazil: Fortaleza
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Fortaleza's beautiful beaches stretch into the distance.
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Fortaleza is the capital city of Ceará, in the northeast of Brazil. The name Fortaleza means "fortress." The region's first building was the Fortress Schoonenborch, built in 1649 by the invading Dutch who occupied cities throughout the northeast. After the Dutch were expelled, the city changed names a few times, until settling with Fortaleza.
The balmy climate, warm ocean waters and the sandy beaches attract tourists to Fortaleza. The seashore, which runs the length of the city, offers a variety of attractions. Each of the city's four main beaches has its own unique atmosphere.
Iracema is the bohemian beach, with bars and nightclubs. Ponte dos (Ingleses"Bridge of the Englishmen") is an ideal location for watching the sunset and spotting dolphins. Meireles is where locals and tourists go to stroll, flanked by the highest number of hotels in the city. Mucuripe is the place of jangadas (rafts). Fishermen's jangadas and tourist boats alike still head out to sea from this beach. Praia do Futuro is preferred for bathing and surfing. It was made famous by its barracas, rustic restaurants built on the sand.
A city landmark is the statue of Iracema, the legendary native woman depicted by hometown author José de Alencar in his novel of the same name. Alencar is the pride of the city (and the state), so much so that its inhabitants are nicknamed Alencarinos. His novels discussed the origins of the people, languages, and geographical names of the region.
Fortaleza is one of the northeast's best places for buying crafts, especially lacework, embroidery, leather goods, and ceramics are good buys. For good prices, skip the tourist boutiques and try either the Mercado Central or the Feirinha Beira Mar.
For more information, visit http://www.visitfortaleza.com/.
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Did You Know...
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A statue of Iracema and her son Alencar on a beach in Fortaleza.
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José de Alencar was the first Brazilian author to write in support of miscegenation, the idea of national unity built upon a shared colonial legacy of mestiços, people of mixed Amerindian and European descent.
Alencar crafted the story of Iracema ("the honey-lips"), a Tabajara (an indigenous tribe) woman, and Martim, a Portuguese colonist allied with the Tabajara nation's enemies, the Pitiguaras. Through the novel, Alencar aligns the history of the colonial state Ceará with life of Moacir, Iracema and Martim's son. Alencar positions Moacir as the first true Brazilian in Ceará. This pure Brazilian is born of nature and culture, innocence and knowledge, and represents the mixture (miscegenation) of the native race with the European race to produce a new, uniquely Brazilian race.
Through Iracema, along with the novels O Guarani and Ubirajara, Alencar portrays the formative stages of Brazilian ethnical and cultural heritage. Iracema symbolizes the initial meeting between the white man (Europeans) and the natives—the title is in fact an anagram of the word "America."
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August Social Events
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Watch Orfeu, dance on board the Queen of Hearts, and learn to samba!
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Bate Papo - Monday, August 10 from 7-9pm
You are invited for a bate-papo (relaxed conversation) in Portuguese at Miss Favela. The event is free (you pay what you consume) and is an opportunity to practice Portuguese and meet new people. All levels of Portuguese speakers are welcome, from beginners to native speakers.
Contact us at Events@BrazilStation.com to RSVP.
Miss Favela
57 S. 5th Street (at Wythe Street) in Williamsburg
Brooklyn, NY11211
718-230-4040
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Fire on the Water (Fogo nas Águas) - Wednesday, August 12
Fire on the Water is a Brazilian party aboard a boat, set to a sound track of Brazilian beats and dance music spun by a live DJ. There are a limited number of free tickets available, so write Events@BrazilStation.com to request one. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
That day, we will meet by the ticket booth outside the Queen of Hearts boat at 6:45pm. The boat is enclosed and climate controlled, so it will sail rain or shine!
Boarding the Queen of Hearts — 6:30-7:30pm
Sailing, dancing, fun — 7:30-10pm
Cash Bar & Cash Buffet
21 & Over Only
For more information, visit http://www.fireonthewater.moonfruit.com/.
Fogo nas Águas Brazilian Boat Party
Pier #40 West Houston Street & West Side Highway
New York, NY 10010
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Brazilian Movie Night - Monday, August 17 & 31 at 6:15-8:15pm
Brazilian Movie Night is an opportunity to practice Portuguese while watching great Brazilian movies at Brazil Station. After the movie we will have a group discussion. We hope you can make it!
For this coming event we will show the drama Orfeu (Orfeu), directed by Cacá Diegues. The story has its roots in the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, which also inspired the earlier French-directed film Black Orpheus.
Diegues' Orfeu sets this legend in the modern context of Rio de Janeiro during Carnival. In the dangerous but humanized slums of Rio, a love affair between Orfeu, a famous composer, and Eurídice, a simple but pretty brunette, provokes jealousy and violence. It is a Brazilian Romeo and Juliet of sorts, with a hearty dose of samba.
On Monday, August 17 we will show the movie in Portuguese with English subtitles. On Monday, August 31 we will show the movie in Portuguese with no subtitles.
Tickets are $7 per person and are available to the first 10 registrants. Registration is required. For more information or to register, contact us at Events@BrazilStation.com or call 646-287-6645.
Brazil Station
304 Park Ave South, 11th floor (at 23rd St.)
New York, NY 10010
646-287-6645
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Forró & Samba Class - Wednesday, August 19 from 6:30-8:30pm
Forró is a type of dance popular in northeastern Brazil, as well as the type of music which accompanies the dance. Samba de gafieira is originally from Rio de Janeiro and can be danced with all the other Samba styles and rhythms. Samba de gafieira establishes its own identity, allowing the dancer to express both grace and playfulness with intimacy and strength.
Diego Kelman Ajuz will teach Forró at 6:30pm and Samba de gafieira at 7:30pm. Diego is originally from Rio de Janeiro and has been teaching dance professionally for over 7 years.
For more information, check http://www.meetup.com/BrazilianPortuguese/calendar/10035495/. Learn more about Forró here http://en.wikipedia.o... and about Samba de gafieira here http://en.wikipedia.o....
Chelsea Studios
151 W 26th St
New York, NY 10001
212-924-5877
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Travel Class: an evening for essentials - Friday, August 21 at 6:30pm
Brazil is an amazing country and we know you will enjoy your time there. To maximize your time in Brazil, Brazil Station has created a Travel Class. This two-hour group class will make Brazil more accessible and help you understand what to expect. The class will be limited to 10 students to ensure plenty of interaction and individual attention.
You will learn the essentials about the culture and language including:
• What to expect when you arrive in Brazil
• How to travel inside Brazil
• Where to shop and find good entertainment
• When, where and how much to tip
• How to say important words and phrases
If you want to register or have questions about this course, or any of our other Portuguese, Brazilian business or culture classes, please contact us at Info@BrazilStation.com or by calling 646-287-6645.
Brazil Station
304 Park Ave South, 11th floor (at 23rd St.)
New York, NY 10010
646-287-6645 |
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Brazilian Events in NYC
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Conductor Frederico Gouveia, singer Leny Andrade, and Cine Fest Petrobras Brasil returns.
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Summer Music in Chelsea - Tuesday, August 11 at 7:30pm
The New Amsterdam Orchestra, with the Brazilian guest conductor Frederico Gouveia, performs in Chelsea's Summer Music series. The program will include a piece by Brazilian composer Villa Lobos, Bachianas Brasileiras #4.
Frederico Gouveia is an emerging conductor in the New York City scene. Originally from Brazil, he began his conducting studies in high school, leading its orchestra for two years, and later at the University of Miami, where he graduated in violin and music business. Based in New York City since 2007, he has studied at the Juilliard School with Vincent La Selva and Kenneth Kiesler. Frederico is an active voice in promoting classical music education in Latin America and fostering a cultural exchange between the two continents.
For more information, contact mic@stpeterschelsea.com or 212-929-2390.
St. Peter's Church in Chelsea
346 W. 20 St. (between 8th & 9th Ave)
New York, NY
212-929-2390
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Leny Andrade - Wednesday-Saturday, August 12-15 at 8:30pm & 11pm
Making the virtuosic and vigorous style of samba-jazz her main field of expression, Leny Andrade, "The Queen of Bossa Nova," is recognized by other musical greats for her talent as a singer and improviser. Andrade's eclectic style became better defined with the advent of bossa nova, through which she introduced jazz elements into her singing. Finally, she embraced a synthesis of samba-jazz, establishing her signature energetic interpretation.
For more information, visit http://www.birdlandjazz.com or call 212-581-3080.
Birdland
315 W. 44th Street
New York, NY
212-581-3080
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VII Cine Fest Petrobras Brasil-NY - Sunday-Friday, August 2-7Cine Fest Petrobras Brasil-NY returns to Manhattan from Sunday, August 2 to Friday, August 7, presenting the best Brazilian films from 2008/2009.
Cine Fest Petrobras Brasil-NY offers great visibility to Brazilian culture in the New York area, and aids the development of new business and creative partnerships by introducing our audiovisual products to the American market. This year the schedule includes a feature film competition, the Revealing the Brasis series, and a DJ lounge at the Tribeca Cinemas. The Crystal Lens Award will be presented to the best feature film as chosen by the public. All screenings will be atTribeca Cinema.
For more information, visit http://www.brazilianfilmfestival.com/eventos.php?type=evento&idioma=EN&id_cidade=13 or call 646-827-9333.
Tribeca Cinema
54 Varick St
New York, NY 10013
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Lincoln Center Out of Doors - Thursday-Friday, August 20-21
Lincoln Center's Out of Doors series (running from August 5-23) includes two nights of Brazilian music this summer on Thursday, August 20 and Friday, August 21.
Harlem Samba
On Thursday, August 20 starting at 7:30pm the young drummers of Frederick Douglass Academy's Harlem Samba, under the direction of Dana Monteiro, bring the sounds of Rio's exuberant carnival baterias to the streets of New York.
Frevo Bombástico
On Friday, August 21 at 7pm some of New York's finest musicians perform supercharged carnival frevo from Recife, Brazil, known for its hyper-driven dancing and pyrotechnic umbrella spinning.
For more information, check http://www.LCoutofdoors.org.
Lincoln Center
70 Lincoln Center Plaza
New York, NY 10023 |
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New Classes Starting in August
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Students discuss a new concept during a group class at Brazil Station.
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We will have six new group classes starting in the coming weeks. Additional groups may be formed based on demand.
1. Música Brasil - Samba, Bossa Nova & MPB
The Música Brasil course will touch upon Brazilian popular music from the 1960s, '70s and '80s within the context of political and cultural movements. Taught by a Brazilian musician, this course will reveal that in Brazil, "traditional" is not the opposite of "modern." Students will gain insight into a culture that has succeeded in incorporating diverse ethnicities.
Música Brasil class in English will start on Thursday, August 20 at 6:15pm.
2. Brazilian History: Modern Democracy
The course will cover the time period in which Brazil became a democratic country after the dictatorship ends in 1985, exploring the social, political, and economic impacts on Brazilian society. It will be taught in Portuguese, except when necessary to clarify topics in English.
The Modern History of Brazil group class in Portuguese will start on Wednesday, August 19 at 7:15pm. It will be a 2 hours class held over the course of 5 weeks.
3. N1BS - Beginner Level 1 group class for Spanish Speakers will start Wednesday, August 19 at 8pm. It is for people fluent in Spanish and/or Italian with little or no knowledge of Portuguese.
4. N1B - Beginner Level 1 group class will start on Thursday, August 20 at 8pm. It is for people with little or no knowledge of Portuguese.
5. N2BS - Beginner Level 2 group class for Spanish Speakers will start on Monday, August 24 at 6:15pm. It is for people fluent in Spanish and/or Italian with some knowledge of Portuguese.
6. N2B - Beginner Level 2 group class will start on Monday, August 24 at 8pm. 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 Stationalso 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!
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August Language Tip
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For this newsletter we will show some cognate words, or false friends. It’s tempting to think these Portuguese words mean the same thing as the English words they sound like, but they really mean something else…
Portuguese......................Sounds like..................................Really means...
Atualmente.......................Actually.........................................Nowadays
.........................................(in Portuguese: Na verdade)
Aplicação (financeira).....Application....................................Investment
.........................................(in Portuguese: Inscrição)
Colégio.............................College..........................................High school
.........................................(in Portuguese: Faculdade)
Competição......................Competition..................................Contest
.........................................(in Portuguese: Concorrência)
Editor................................Editor............................................Publisher
.........................................(in Portuguese: Redator)
Esquisito...........................Exquisite.......................................Strange, odd
.........................................(in Portuguese: Refinado)
Gratuidade........................Gratuity.........................................Free of charge
.........................................(in Portuguese: Gorjeta)
Injúria...............................Injury.............................................Insult
.........................................(in Portuguese: Ferimento)
Lanche..............................Lunch............................................Snack
..........................................(in Portuguese: Almoço)
Pretender...........................To pretend.....................................To intend
..........................................(in Portuguese: Fingir)
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WE ARE ALWAYS INTERESTED in your feedback. Learning is a dynamic process. Please contact us at Newsletter@BrazilStation.com with your suggestions about submissions, new events, or services.
FEEL FREE TO FORWARD this newsletter to any of your friends who may be interested in joining us to learn about Brazil, or in starting down the road to speaking Portuguese. This newsletter only comes out monthly and is not sent to anyone who doesn't want it.
BRAZIL STATION IS NOT RESPONSIBLE for changes or cancellations of events outside the school. |
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