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| April 2010 |
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In this month's newsletter, you can learn more about Gramado and its Film Festival, The Gramado Festival, and the many local events organized by Brazil Station and sponsored by other organizations. Also included are language tips and new classes.
I hope you enjoy the April issue!
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Visit Brazil: Gramado
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Clockwise from top left: hydrangeas in bloom along a country road, the film festival logo, the Gramado Pórtico displaying the region's German heritage, and the Festival de Gramado theater.
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Originally founded by Portuguese immigrants in 1875, who were soon joined by German and Italian immigrants a few years later, Gramado is now a top domestic tourist destination in Brazil. Located along the scenic motor route known as Rota Romântica, Gramado is in the southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul, in the Serra Gaúcha region.
Gramado boasts a full schedule of attractions, with something for everyone. It hosts the Festival de Gramado, (Gramado Film Festival) a major South American film festival and the biggest film festival in Brazil, as well as Natal Luz, which sees the city decked out in lights and wreathes made of recycled material by local residents. Gramado is also known for its many hydrangeas that blossom in and around the city in late spring.
Combining striking natural beauty with Italian and German traditions, Gramado is a charming and picturesque destination. Colonial architecture and streetscapes, quaint gardens embellished with countless hydrangeas and the warm local hospitality conspire with a sophisticated dining and hotel network to make Gramado a popular tourist destination.
For more information about Gramado, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gramado
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Did You Know...?
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Gramado's most important and visible event, the Festival de Gramado, is held for six days every August. Since 1973, actors, directors, technicians and visitors alike have anxiously awaited the awarding of "Kikitos" (pictured right), the 13 inch statuette created by artisan Elisabeth Rosenfeld and presented to winners.
The festival screens dozens of films and awards prizes to Brazilian, Latin American, Portuguese and Spanish films. Currently awards are given in 24 categories; 13 for Brazilian films, eight for international films and three special awards.
For more information about Festival de Gramado, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festival_de_Gramado
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Brazilian Events in NYC
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Attend a Bate Papo or learn to samba like a pro this month with Brazil Station.
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Brazil Station is pleased to announce a variety of Brazilian events happening in April. If you want to announce any upcoming events, or offer ideas or suggestions for future activities, please contact us at newsletter@brazilstation.com.
Bate Papo- Tuesday, April 13 at 6pm
You are invited to a Bate Papo (relaxed conversation) in Portuguese at SushiSamba. The event is free (you pay what you consume) and is an opportunity to practice Portuguese and meet new people. There will be a happy hour at the bar from 4-7 pm with caipirinhas for $5and aperitivo specials for $2, $3 and $4.
We've been to bate-papos there before and people enjoyed the atmosphere and the special price for the appetizers.
Contact us at info@brazilstation.com to RSVP or visit http://www.meetup.com/BrazilianPortuguese/calendar/12993507/ for more information.
SushiSamba Sugarcane Lounge
245 Park Ave. South - between 19th and 20th St
New York, NY 10003
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Beginners Samba Class - Sunday, March 18 from 4 - 5:30pm
The Samba for Beginners class starts with a 30 minute warm up that exercises basic isolation of the body, followed by stretching and strengthening exercises. After the warm up, instructor Danielle Lima introduces the students to samba no pé(basic samba step) and passo marcado (simple choreographies), both typical of the Rio Carnaval. 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 Lima 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/12993765/
Learn more about Samba here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samba_(Brazilian_dance)#Samba_no_p.C3.A9
New York City Center
131 W 56th St 6th floor - between 6th & 7th Ave
New York, NY 10019
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Leny Andrade & Romero Lubambo - April 6 - 11 at 7:30pm & 9:30pm
The singer and musician Leny Andrade was born in Rio de Janeiro. She has had several hits on the Brazilian charts and in 2007 shared a Latin Grammy Award with Cesar Camargo Mariano for Best MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira) Album, Ao Vivo. Leny Andrade's eclectic style is a synthesis of samba and jazz. Andrade, considered by many the greatest singer of Brazilian jazz, has never had great commercial success, but is a well respected jazz artist.
Also born in Rio de Janeiro in 1955, Romero Lubambo studied classical piano and music theory as a young boy. Lubambo graduated from the Villa-Lobos School of Music in Rio in 1978, a top student of classical guitar. The rhythms and melodies defining Brazilian music and American jazz fascinated Lubambo. He taught himself through intense research and practice, developing exceptional skill, versatility and fluency in both jazz and Brazilian idioms. In 1985 he left Brazil for New York and has since performed and recorded with many outstanding artists, including Diane Reeves, Michael Brecker, Al Jarreau and Kathleen Battle.
For more information, visit: http://jalc.org/dccc/details09.asp?EventID=2249
Dizzy's Club Coca Cola Frederick P. Rose Hall - home of Jazz at Lincoln Center
Broadway at 60th Street
New York, NY 10019
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Caetano Veloso - Thursday, April 8 at 8pm
Caetano Veloso is a composer, singer, guitarist, writer and political activist. He has been called "one of the greatest songwriters of the century" and is sometimes considered the Bob Dylan of Brazil.Veloso was born in Bahia, a state in the northeastern area of Brazil, but moved to Rio de Janeiro as a college student in the mid-1960s. Soon after the move, Veloso won a music contest and was signed to his first label. He became one of the founders of Tropicalismo with a group of several other musicians and artists-including his sister Maria Bethânia-in the same period. However the Brazilian government at the time viewed Veloso's music and political action as threatening, and he was arrested, along with fellow musician Gilberto Gil, in 1969. The two were eventually exiled from Brazil, and went to London, where they lived for two years.
After returning to his home country in 1972, Veloso once again began recording and performing, becoming popular outside of Brazil in the 1980s and 1990s. He has won five Latin Grammy Awards.
Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.ticketmaster.com or http://www.bowerypresents.com
For more information, visit:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caetano_Veloso
TERMINAL 5
610 W. 56th Street @ Eleventh Avenue
New York, NY 10019
212-665-3832
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The Choro Ensemble of Brazil - Wednesday, April 14 at 8 pm
World Concert Series presents an Evening of Regional Music of Brazil - Choro Music featuring The Choro Ensemble of Brazil with guests Maucha Adnet and Anat Cohen. The full 100% of ticket receipts are donated to a different local children's charity after each concert.
For more information, visit: http://www.worldconcertseries.org
Church of the Blessed Sacrament
152 West 71st Street,
New York, NY 10023
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Forró da Madame - Thursday, April 15 at 10pm
Think Friday night hoedown... Brazilian style! Forró da Madame, a Brooklyn-based band, brings you this festive music that resembles country music with a Brazilian flair. Forró da Madame is lead by rising Brazilian star Liliana Araújo (singer, percussion) joined by the renowned Uri Sharlin (accordion) and the formidable Mike LaValle (zabumba).
Originally from Fortaleza, Ceará, Forró da Madame maintains the traditions of forró by following in the footsteps of the old masters and honors the superstars responsible for its popularization such as Luiz Gonzaga, Jackson do Pandeiro, Marinês and Azeitona, while also infusing the music with a contemporary touch.
For more information, visit: http://www.barbesbrooklyn.com
Barbes
376 9th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215
718 965-9177
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Roberto Carlos - Friday April 16 and Saturday April 17 at 8pm
Roberto Carlos celebrates his birthday and 50-year career. Also known as O Rei (The King), singer and song-writer Roberto Carlos is among the most successful Latin American artists. His singing career began in Brazil in the fifties, though it was a decade later that his popularity peaked. In the mid 90s a new generation of performers re-introduced Brazil to Roberto Carlos' earlier works, and he has won a new generation of fans. His record sales now exceed 100,000,000 copies.
Carlos has accumulated virtually all possible accomplishments as a highly successful artist, including a solid international career with awards like the Grammy and top positions on Billboard's Latin charts.
For more information, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Carlos_(singer)
Radio City Music Hall
1260 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY, 10020
212 247-4777
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Samba Phoenix - Saturday, April 24 at 8pm
Samba Phoenix is a Brazil Fusion Party Band. A variety of Brazilian songs as interpreted by New Yorkers who grew up on hip-hop & Jimi Hendrix. Warm, powerful female vocals and traditional drumming, dabbling in afropop, reggae, blues, and funk. The lyrics may depict a Yoruba fable, comment on the widening gap between social classes, advancing technology, or a terrible hangover and the adventure that earned it.
For more information, visithttp://www.myspace.com/jenniferprojectphoenix
Shrine Bar & Restaurant
2271 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. (133-134 St)
New York, NY 10030
Tel 212-690-7807
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Brazilian Photography - Now through May 1
1500 Gallery specializes in Brazilian photography, and is the first art gallery in the world with this explicit focus. The gallery considers "Brazilian photography" to be photography produced by Brazilian photographers, as well as images bearing a conceptual or thematic relationship to Brazil.
1500 Gallery represents the work of 17 artists, both emerging and established: 6 of the gallery's photographers are represented in the São Paulo Museum of Art's Collection of Photography. The collection of images includes both contemporary and vintage photography. The gallery's inaugural exhibition is a group show entitled Brazilian, which will run through May 1.
For further information about each artist, as well as the works presented, check http://www.1500gallery.com
1500 Gallery
511 w 25th St. #607
New York, NY 10001
212 255-2010
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New Classes Starting in April
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Individual classes at Brazil Station provide students with personalized attention.
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We will have new Group classes starting in the coming weeks. Other groups may be formed based on demand.
1. NIB - Beginner Level group class will start on Thursday, April 15 at 8pm. It is for individuals with little or no knowledge of Portuguese.
2. NIBS - Beginner Level 1 group class for Spanish Speakers will start on Thursday, April 15 at 6:15pm. It is for individuals fluent in Spanish and/or Italian with little or no knowledge of Portuguese.
3. N2B - Beginner Level 2group class will start on Monday, April 12 at 6:15pm. It is for individuals who have some knowledge of Portuguese.
4. N2BS - Beginner Level 2 group class for Spanish Speakers will start on Monday, April 12 at 8pm. It is for individuals fluent in Spanish and/or Italian with some knowledge of Portuguese.
5. N3B - Beginner Level 3 group class will start on Thursday, April 15 at 6:15pm. It is for people with a decent 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.
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.
Brazil Station
304 Park Ave South, 11th floor (at 23rd St.)
New York, NY 10010
646-287-6645
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Language Tip
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Words with multiple meanings often confuse students who are learning Portuguese. Below you will find some of the most common.
Apagar
1. Quem apagou o que estava escrito no caderno? - Who erased what was written on the notebook?
2. Os bombeiros apagaram o fogo. - The firemen put out the fire.
3. Apague a luz! - Turn off the light!
Atrás
1. João está escondido atrás da porta. - João is hidden behind the door.
2. Vá atrás dele agora! - Go after him right now!
Banco
1. Se eu fosse você, depositaria o dinheiro em um banco. If I were you, I would deposit the money in a bank.
2. Vamos sentar no banco da praça.? - Let's site on the park bench?.
3. Eu estava sentado no banco do bar tomando uma cerveja. - I was sitting on the bar stool having a beer.
Casamento
1. Domingo passado fui ao casamento de um amigo. - Last Sunday I attended a friend's wedding.
2. Casamento é uma experiência interessante - Marriage is an interesting experience.
Deixar
1. Gostaria de deixar um recado? - Would you like to leave a message?
2. Não me deixe sozinho. - Don't leave me alone.
3. Deixe-me ver. - Let me see.
4. Você me deixa nervoso. - You make me nervous.
Entrada
1. A entrada é pela porta dos fundos. - The entrance is through the back door.
2. Você esqueceu as entradas no escritório? - Did you forget the tickets in the office?
3. As condições de pagamento são: 20% de entrada e o restante em 24 prestações. - The terms are: 20% down payment and the balance in 24 installments.
Gritar
1. "Pare!" ela gritou. - "Stop!" she shouted.
2. Maria gritava muito durante o filme. - Mary screamed a lot during the movie.
3. O homem perdeu o controle e começou a gritar com seu filho. - The man lost his temper and started yelling at his son.
Jogar
1. Ele joga futebol muito bem. - He plays soccer very well.
2. Ela jogou o lixo no chão. - She threw the trash on the floor.
Moeda
1. Não gosto de carregar moedas no meu bolso. - I don't like carring coins in my pocket.
2. Qual é a moeda do Brasil? - What's Brazil's currency?
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