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| December 2009 |
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We would like to thank you for being part of our newsletter this year. We plan to continue bringing you news, events, curiosities, new classes, and much more in 2010.
If you have an event to share or want to collaborate on an article, we would appreciate it. After all, the newsletter exists because of you!
Your month may be filled with holiday parties, shopping and travel, but we have a few Brazilian-themed ideas to add, too. This Friday, celebrate the holidays and practice Portuguese at Brazil Brazil Restaurant (you can come just for drinks and conversation - more below). The following week, Brazil Station is proud to sponsor Capoeira Brasil's Batizado on Saturday, Dec. 12 (more below). Also, remember our holiday special is almost over—10% off classes until Wednesday, Dec. 2.
Have a great holiday season and a wonderful 2010.
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Visit Brazil: Joinville
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Joinville's European heritage is evident in its charming architecture.
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Joinville is a city in Santa Catarina, in the southern region of Brazil. It has become a major center for events and business conferences, due to its urban development and relatively good infrastructure.
German, Swiss, and Norwegian immigrants originally founded Joinville. The city retains many aspects of German culture in its architecture, local dishes, parties, and the way of life of its inhabitants-widley known as workaholics.
The Festival de Dança de Joinville (Joinville Dance Festival), the world's largest dance event, gathers nearly 4,000 dancers, both professionals and students. The 11 days of presentations attract 50,000 people every year. There are competitions in seven different categories, from classical ballet to folk dances. Joinville is the only city outside of Moscow to have a school of the Bolshoi Ballet, the renowned Russian Ballet Company.
To learn more about Joinville, visit http://wikitravel.org/en/Joinville. |
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Did You Know...?
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The world's largest floating Christmas tree lights up Rodrigo de Freitas lake.
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The world's biggest floating Christmas tree, according to the Guinness Book of Records, is in Rio de Janeiro. Measuring 85 meters (279 feet), the tree has been placed in the Rodrigo de Freitas lake every Christmas season since 1999. The annual ceremony is considered the third greatest event in the city of Rio, after Carnaval and New Year's Eve.
According to the organizers, the carbon gas emissions released into the atmosphere from the assembly, display, and dismantling of the tree will be neutralized by the planting of trees in regions of the Mata Atlântica rainforest, on the Brazilian coast.
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December Social Events
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Enjoy a caipirinha, learn about immigration law, and join a free Brazilian percussion class.
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Caipirinha night - Friday, Dec. 4 at 7pm
You are invited for a bate-papo (relaxed conversation) in Portuguese at Brazil Brazil Restaurant. 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. We will meet on the right side of the restaurant, at the bar area. There will be drinks special for $4. After the first caipirinha your Portuguese will be much better!
Contact us at Events@BrazilStation.com to RSVP.
Brazil Brazil Restaurant
330 West 46th St btwn 8th and 9th Ave
New York, NY 10036
212-957-4300
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Brazilian Movie Night - Monday, December 7 from 6:30-8:30pm
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 with Elena Como from Atlantico Books Importer. We hope you can make it!
For this coming event we will show the documentary O Mistério do Samba (The Mystery of Samba), directed by Lula Buarque de Hollanda and Carolina Jabor. This documentary explores the everyday lives of the members of Velha Guarda da Portela, the legendary group of Samba school players that holds the record for the most titles won in the Rio de Janeiro carnival. The film explores how this daily life becomes the inspiration for their beautiful songs. Guided by contemporary singer-songwriter Marisa Monte, who interviews many of the musicians, the film also delves into Velha Guarda's history, with Monte coaxing songs from the older musicians—many never recorded—that risked being forgotten. Sure to delight all music lovers, the film also features special appearances by contemporary stars Paulinho da Viola and Zeca Pagodinho.
This movie will be shown with English subtitles. The event will be free of charge and is 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, Inc
304 Park Ave South, 11th floor
New York, NY 10010
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Green Card Q&A - Thursday, Dec. 9 & 10 from 7-9pm
Immigration lawyer Douglas Lightman from Lightman Law Firm, LLC will be presenting a private Q&A session on the different methods to obtain a green card. Mr. Lightman will discuss what you need to do, how long the process takes, and how much it costs. In case there is interest, we may provide more events focusing on other immigration issues.
The event is free of charge and will take place in the Lightman Law Firm's conference room. There is a 12 person limit for this event. We ask people interested in attending this event to RSVP at Events@BrazilStation.com. Let us know if your availability changes and you are unable to attend, so we can accommodate others. Please arrive on time; we will be starting the session promptly at 7pm.
Check out http://www.lightmanlawfirm.com/ for information about immigration.
Lightman Law Firm, LLC
345 7th Ave, 21st floor - btwn 29th and 30th St
New York, NY 10001
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Open Samba rehearsal - Friday, December 11 from 8-9pm
Instructor Danielle Lima invites you to join an open Samba rehearsal. The rehearsal will start with warm-up exercises, including basic body isolations, followed by stretching and strengthening exercises. After the warm-up, Danielle will introduce the samba no pé (basic samba step) and passo marcado (simple choreographies) typical of the Rio Carnaval. The whole class happens to the sound of live drumming, with upbeat and irresistible Brazilian music from New York Bateria. The cost per person for the one-hour class is $10.
Danielle Lima was born in Rio de Janeiro and grew up performing with Beija-Flor de Nilópolis, one of Brazil's most famous samba schools. Danielle has been teaching dance professionally for over 7 years. She is also a Certified Teachers' Artist with American Ballroom Theater's Dancing Classrooms program, a Certified Yoga Instructor at YOGA Effects in NYC, and a Certified Teacher of Karma Kids Yoga.
For more information, visit http://www.meetup.com/BrazilianPortuguese/pt/calendar/11945223/. Learn more about Samba here.
Chelsea Studios, 5th Floor
151 West 26th Street btwn. 6th and 7th Avenue
New York, NY
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Free Brazilian Percussion Classes - Tuesday, Dec. 15 from 7-8pm
The New York Samba School has kicked off its arts and cultural programs in Queens, offering free Brazilian percussion classes for the public. The on-going Tuesday series is taught by some of New York City's top Brazilian musicians, including Carlos "Caco" de Oliveira, Edson da Silva ("Café"), and Adriano Santos.
Everyone is welcome to participate in these percussion classes, Brazilians and non-Brazilians alike. Experience is not necessary. You are encouraged to bring your own instruments, but they are available to rent for $5. Classes will be held every Tuesday at Sapony Nightclub in Queens.
For more information about the classes and instructors, visit http://www.sambanationcommunity.ning.com/events. Those interested in volunteering to help build the Samba School are encouraged to contact Caco at info@sambanation.org or 718-484-1801.
Sapony Nightclub
37-27 32nd Street
Queens, NY 11101
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Brazilian Events in NYC
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Take in exhibitions by the Collective of Amazonian Artists and Capoeira Brasil's Batizado.
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Collective of Amazonian Artists - Now through Friday, Dec. 18
The Collective of Amazonian Artists will launch two simultaneous exhibits in New York: Braids and Colors of Amazonia and I am Amazonia. The Collective brings together eight Brazilian artists from five different ethnic groups. One hundred pieces will be shown, reflecting the artists' unique poetic visions through acrylic on canvas techniques and marquetry.
This project represents the next stage in the Collective's efforts to establish a distinctive cultural policy for the Amazon Region, better suited to contemporary lifestyles. The Collective seeks to raise awareness that Amazonia is not merely an exotic, immense, diverse, and coveted region, but a cultural matrix of the post modern world.
For more information, visit http://www.brasilianendowment.org or http://www.wardnasse.org.
Braids and Colors of Amazonia - Now through Dec. 8
Ward Nasse Gallery
178 Prince St, in Soho
New York, NY
I am Amazonia - Now through Dec. 18
The Brazilian Endowment for the Art - BEA Art Hall Gallery
240 East 52nd St.
New York, NY
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Capoeira Brasil's Batizado - Saturday, Dec. 12 at 3-5:30pm
The group Capoeira Brasil, led by Mestre Caxias, will host its Batizado in December. It is a great show and you can be part of it. See the agenda below:
Capoeira workshops - Wednesday, Dec. 9-Friday, Dec. 11 from 7:30-10:30pm
Capoeira workshop and Roda - Saturday, Dec. 12 from 12-3pm
Batizado, Afoxe, Maculele, and Samba Show - Satuday, Dec. 12 from 3-5:30pm
Capoeira is a combination of dance, ritual, and martial arts that developed from traditions introduced into Brazilian culture by African slaves brought to the country by Portuguese traders in the 16th century.
The goal of the game, or jogo, is to catch the opponent off-guard using guile, technique, and gymnastics.
Players can fake each other out using rapid kicks, cartwheels, handstands, leg sweeps, and other movements. Unlike most martial arts, strikes are admired most when there is no physical contact. A player gains the most applause when the opponent has been skillfully baited into a vulnerable, off-balance position, but has not actually fallen or been hit.
Capoeira groups periodically hold Batizados ("baptisms" into the art of capoeira). Members being baptized are normally given a corda ("cord belt") and an apelido ("capoeira nickname") if they haven't already earned one. Batizados are major events to which a number of groups and masters from near and far are normally invited.
For more information about the event, contact Caxias at caxiascapoeira@hotmail.com. Watch video of a capoeira presentation at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KTXBTRmVFE.
Brazil Station, Inc. and American Airlines are proud sponsors of this event.
YMCA
224 East 47th Street btwn 2nd and 3rd Ave
New York, NY
718-484-1801
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New Classes Starting in December
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Brazil Station teachers specialize in custom lesson plans for students.
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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 Thursday, December 10 at 8pm. It is for people with little or no knowledge of Portuguese.
2. N1BS - Beginner Level 1 group class for Spanish Speakers will start on Tuesday, December 8 at 6:15pm. It is for people fluent in Spanish and/or Italian with little or no knowledge of Portuguese.
Remember:
If you register for a new or renewal classes by Wednesday, Dec. 2 you are eligible for a 10% discount.
3. N2B-Beginner Level 2 group class will start on Wednesday, December 9 at 8pm. It is for people who have some knowledge of Portuguese.
4. N2BS-Beginner Level 2 group class for Spanish Speakers will start on Wednesday, December 9 at 6:15pm. It is for people fluent in Spanish and/or Italian with some knowledge of Portuguese.
5. N3BS-Beginner Level 3 group class for Spanish speakers will start on Monday, December 7 at 6:15pm. It is for people with a decent knowledge of Portuguese.
6. Travel Class - Friday, December 11 at 6:15pm
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
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.
We will have several new Group Classes starting in the coming weeks. Other groups may also be formed based on demand. Contact us to assess your current level and to discuss your goals for learning at 646-287-6645 or Newsletter@BrazilStation.com.
Brazil Station
304 Park Ave South, 11th floor (at 23rd St.)
New York, NY 10010
646-287-6645 |
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December Language Tip
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Words with multiple meanings always confuse students who are learning Portuguese. Below you will find some examples.
Volta
1. Na volta paramos num restaurante - On our way back we stopped at a restaurant.
2. Vamos dar uma volta? - Shall we go for a walk?
3. Todos estão sentados em volta da mesa. - They are all sitting around the table.
Vergonha
1. Ele tem vergonha de falar em público. - He is too shy to speak in public.
2. O preço dos alimentos está uma vergonha. - Food prices are a shame.
Trabalho
1. O trabalho dignifica o homem. - Work dignifies Man.
2. Bom trabalho! - Good job!
3. Teremos que fazer um trabalho de história. - We will need to write a History paper.
Terra
1. A poluição representa uma ameaça à Terra. - Pollution is a threat to the Earth.
2. Ele é proprietário de muitas terras no Brasil. - He owns a lot of land in Brazil.
3. Tem muita terra no vaso. - There is too much earth in the vase.
4. Você precisará dirigir pela estrada de terra. - You will need to drive on the dirt road.
Sombra
1. A sombra da árvore estava refrescante. - The shade of the tree was very refreshing.
2. Eu consigo ver sua sombra. - I can see your shadow.
Receita
1. Eu coleciono receitas de bolo. - I collect cake recipes.
2. Você precisa de uma receita médica para comprar este remédio. - You need a doctor's prescription to buy this medicine. |
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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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