Trios Elétricos, like the one pictured here, bring music to the streets of Porto Seguro during Carnival.

Located in the northern state of Bahia, Porto Seguro is a coastal city that offers one of the most famous Carnival parties in Bahia state. During Carnival, the Trios Elétricos (large trucks carrying sound systems and live bands) along with blocos and cordões (street dancing groups) drag thousands of partying tourists along the Passarela do Álcool (Alcohol Catwalk), and onto the beach and the many bars that line the water.

For seven consecutive nights massive trucks drive back and forth on Porto Seguro's main party street, luring revelers into the tropical heat. The mix of music and heat help create the frenzied atmosphere of a 24-hour party, with celebrants dancing nearly nonstop. The city offers something for everyone, with beach parties, street parties and many other outdoor events each celebrating various styles of traditional Brazilian music and dance. Unlike the celebration in Rio, during Carnival in Porto Seguro you won't see many extravagant costumes in elaborate parades. While they might lack costumes, there's no shortage of characters in Porto Seguro. You're sure to meet a few.

Despite the wild revelry and non-stop partying, Carnival in Porto Seguro is a largely peaceful affair, with violence rare. Residents and visitors alike drink beer and caipirinhas, dance, and enjoy the music.

For more information on Porto Seguro, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porto_Seguro.

Daniela Mercury, responsible for spreading Axé music throughout Brazil, performs during Carnival.

Axé is a popular style of music first appearing in Salvador Carnival celebrations around 1986. Axé incorporates various Afro-Caribbean elements from genres such as Marcha, Reggae, and Calypso. Also evident are Afro-Brazilian influences such as Frevo, Forró and Carixada.

Axé is a ritual greeting used in the Candomblé and Umbanda religions, and means "good vibration." The word "music" was first used with Axé as a slang term by the local music industry, and by a local journalist who intended to create a derogatory term for the perceived pretentiousness of the dance-driven style.

The negative association would not last. As singer Daniela Mercury began her rise to stardom in Rio and São Paulo, anything coming from Salvador would come to be labeled Axé music. Soon artists ignored the derogatory origins of the term and started capitalizing on its popularity. With media support what was once the soundtrack of Carnival in Salvador quickly spread throughout the country, and could be heard at off-season Carnival celebrations around Brazil. With increasing consumer and industry popularity, Axé music could be heard a series of year-round hits throughout the 1990s.

Attendees at a Bate Papo at SushiSamba, organized by Brazil Station.

You are invited for a Bate Papo (relaxed conversation) in Portuguese at SushiSamba. The event is free (you pay what you consume) and it is an opportunity to practice Portuguese and meet new people. There will be a happy hour at the bar from 4-7pm with caipirinhas for $5 and aperitivo specials from $2-$4.

Contact us at info@brazilstation.com to RSVP or visit http://www.meetup.com/BrazilianPortuguese/calendar/12308746/ for more information.

SushiSamba Sugarcane Lounge
245 Park Ave. South - between 19th and 20th St
New York, NY 10003

Children Feijoada- Saturday, February 13 from 2-6pm

The Children Feijoada is an event in which children can drum and samba dancing with NYSS (NY Samba School) professional drummers and students while their parents can appreciate a great feijoada (Brazilian traditional stew). This event has been organized to raise money to purchase 100 costumes for kids enrolled in the NYSS programs. The classes and costumes will be free for the kids.

NYSS also opened registration for Samba Enredo contest. Samba can be composed in English or Portuguese. Theme is Change.

For more information email newyorksambaschool@gmail.com or contact Caco at 347 458-4681

Chateau Brazil
38-02 29th Street - between 38th and 39th Ave
Long Island City, NY 11101-2715
(718) 729-3300

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Green Card Q&A- Wednesday, February 10 from 7-9pm

Immigration lawyer Douglas Lightman from Lightman Law Firm LLC will be presenting a private Q&A session focusing on the different methods to obtain a Green Card. Topics will include: how long it takes, what you need to do, and how much it costs. Depending on interest level, Brazil Station may provide future events focusing in other immigration issues.

The event will take place in the Lightman Lawfirm's conference room. We ask those interested in attending this event to RSVP to events@brazilstation.com. There is a 12 person limit for this event. Please let us know if you are unable to attend so that we may fill you spot. Please arrive on time. The session begins promptly at 7:00pm.

Check out http://www.lightmanlawfirm.com for information about immigration.

Lightman Law Firm LLC
345 7th Ave, 21st floor - between 29 and 30th St.
New York, NY 10001

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Beginners Samba Class - Sunday, February 21 from 4 - 5:30pm

The Samba for Beginners class starts with a 30 minutes warm up that exercises basic isolation of the body, following by stretching and strengthening exercises. After the warm up the instructor Danielle Lima introduces the students to samba no pé(basic samba step) and passo marcado (simple choreographies), both typical of the Rio Carnival. The entire class is conducted to the upbeat and irresistible sounds of Brazilian music. The cost is $15 per person.

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 is also a Certified Teachers Artist of the program Dancing Classrooms from American Ballroom Theater, Certified YOGA Instructor at YOGA Effects in NYC and Karma Kids Yoga certified teacher. She has been teaching dance professionally for over 7 years.

For more information visit: http://www.meetup.com/BrazilianPortuguese/calendar/12308717/.

Learn more about Samba here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samba_(Brazilian_dance)#Samba_no_p.C3.A9

New York City Center
130 W 56th St 6th floor - between 6th & 7th Ave
New York, NY 10019

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Brazilian pre-Carnival Night- Saturday, February 6 at 7pm

Come and listen or dance along to the high-energy group Recipe for Rhythm, with Luiz Simas (vocals/ piano), Adriano Santos (drums), Itaiguara (bass), and "Sweet" Sue Terry (sax and flute). They will play a repertoire of sambas, perfect for dancing samba-no-pé (basic samba step) and passo marcado (simple choreographs). These samba styles are the staple dance of Rio's Carnival. There will be a large dancing space right in front of the stage. Before the music sets start, master dance teacher Danielle Lima will teach how to dance samba. Doors open at 7:00pm, dance lesson starts at 7:30pm.

Send an email to gafieira@luizsimas.com mentioning that you heard about the event through the Brazil Station newsletter and you will get a discount!

For more information, visit: http://www.luizsimas.com/pages/_pagesfornewsletters/NL97-Sept12-09DromA.html.

DROM
85 Avenue A (between 5th & 6th Street)
New York, NY 10009
212-777-1157

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BossaNote Live - Saturday, February 6 from 10pm-12:30am

Five piece jazz ensemble playing strictly Brazilian favorites featuring Brazilian vocalist Aline Almeida. Pianist Phil Marucci has been active for many years in the New York Brazilian jazz community and has studied with several of the great players. Ed Boyak - percussion, Barry Walter - drums, Ajia Sato - bass.

For more information, check out www.bossanote.com & www.becobar.com.

Beco Bar45
Richardson St. at Lorimer St.
Williamsburg Brooklyn 11211
718-599-1645

BEA Carnafolia- Saturday, February 12

The Brazilian Endowment for the arts proudly presents their first Brazilian Carnafolia Carnaval Party. They will be having lots of joyful Brazilian live music and dance (Samba, Frevo, Marchinas, Axé and Timbaladas) with the amazing musician Nanny Assis and his band. Don't waste any time: take your Halloween costume out of your closet and have fun with a Brazilian style Carnival!!!

For more information and RSVP contact (212) 371-1556 or e-mail: bibliobrnyc@gmail.com.

New York Film Academy
100 East 17th St.
New York, NY 10003

Mais Um's Plan B Carnival Party - Sat. Feb 20th from 9pm-2am

Come party like a Carioca. Rhythm heavy Mais Um will play two high energy sets after 11:00pm, DJ Samballistic will warm up the night and close it out with a bang of purely Brazilian sounds. Enjoy authentic food and drinks from the southern hemisphere. Feel free to dress festively. Free drink to the first 20 guests.

For more information, check out www.myspace.com/maisumnyc & www.favelacubana.com.

Favela Cubana
543 Laguardia Place - between Bleecker & West 3rd St.
New York, NY 10012

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Brazilian Percussion Classes - Tuesdays, 7 - 8pm

The New York Samba School has kicked off its arts and cultural programs offering Brazilian percussion classes to the public in Queens. Classes are on-going on Tuesdays and are taught by some of New York City's top Brazilian musicians including Carlos "Caco" de Oliveira, Edson da Silva ("Café"), and Adriano Santos. Experience is not necessary. You are encouraged to bring your own instruments, but instruments are available to rent for $5. Each class is $20.

Everyone is welcome to participate in the percussion classes, Brazilians and non-Brazilians alike. Those interested in volunteering to build the Samba School are especially encouraged to participate. Contact Caco at info@sambanation.org or 718-484-1801.

For more information about the classes and instructors, visit http://sambanationcommunity.ning.com/events.

Empire Rehearsal Studios
47-32 32nd Place (inside the Ice Pavilion building - go to the office)
Long Island City, NY 11101

Group classes at Brazil Station offer the opportunity to interact with both the instructor and fellow students.

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

Música Brasil - Samba, Bossa Nova and MPB
This is a group class for people who enjoy Brazilian music and want to learn more about this fascinating part of Brazilian history. The course will examine popular Brazilian music from the 1960s, 70s and 80s in the context of musical, political, and cultural movements. Due to many requests, the course will be taught in English as well as Portuguese. See schedule below.

1. Música Brasil - Samba, Bossa Nova e MPBgroup class in Portuguese will start on Tuesday, February 9 at 8pm.

2. NIB - Beginner Level 1 group class will start on Wednesday, February 10 at 8pm. It is for individuals with little or no knowledge of Portuguese.

3. NIBS - Beginner Level 1 group class for Spanish Speakers will start on Wednesday, February 10 at 6:15pm. It is for individuals fluent in Spanish and/or Italian with little or no knowledge of Portuguese.

4. N2B - Beginner Level 2group class will start on Tuesday, February 9 at 6:15pm. It is for individuals who have some knowledge of Portuguese.

5. N2BS - Beginner Level 2 group class for Spanish Speakers will start on Tuesday, February 23 at 6:15pm. It is for individuals fluent in Spanish and/or Italian with some knowledge of Portuguese.

If you'd like to register or have questions about any of our 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

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 may begin taking classes with us one any day, at any time. In addition to our traditional Portuguese classes, Brazil Stationalso offers Portuguese for Spanish and Italian Speakers, Business Portuguese, Brazilian Law, Música Brasil, Brazilian History and Travel Classes. We teach off-site classes and Corporate Language Education as well.

Words with multiple meanings often confuse students who are learning Portuguese. Below you will find some of the most common.

Assinatura

1. Precisamos da sua assinatura nestes documentos. - We need your signature on these documents.

2. Eu renovei a assinatura da revista. - I renewed the subscription to the magazine.

Bala

1. Crianças gostam de bala. - Children like candy.

2. O revólver não tem balas. - The gun has no bullets.

Bateria

1. Meu carro precisa de uma bateria nova. - My car needs a new battery.

2. Meu primo toca bateria. - My cousin plays the drums.

Caixa

1. Coloque os brinquedos na caixa. - Place the toys inside the box.

2. O caixa fica no fundo da loja. - The cashier is at the back of the store.

Caro

1. Morar em Nova York custa muito caro. - Living in New York is very expensive.

2. Meus caros amigos... - My dear friends...

Chato

1. É muito chato quando o trem 7 não funciona no fim de semana. - It is very annoying when the 7 train does not run on weekends.

2. Meu professor de história é muito chato. - My history teacher is very boring.

3. Ficou chato você ter ido à festa sem ser convidado. - It was embarrassing you going to the party without being invited.

Dedo

1. Ele cortou seu dedo. - He cut his finger.

2. Estes sapatos novos machucam meus dedos dos pés. - These new shoes hurt my toes.

Esperar

1. Espero que não chova no próximo fim de semana. - I hope it doesn't rain next weekend.

2. Espero ganhar um aumento em meu próximo pagamento. - I expect to get a raise in my next payroll.

3. Eu te esperei por mais de 1 hora. - I waited for you more than 1 hour.