One of the many tidal pools off the beach teeming with fish and kayakers.

Porto de Galinhas is a beach in Pernambuco, Brazil. Famous for its bright natural pools and brilliant white sand, it is part of the municipality of Ipojuca, and located 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of the state capital, Recife.

Meaning "Port of Chickens" in Portuguese, the origin of the name Porto de Galinhas is well known. In the second half of the 19th century, when the traffic of slaves was forbidden, "chicken" was the code word for slave. "There are new chickens in town," meant that a ship loaded with slaves had arrived.

Porto de Galinhas has been voted "Best Brazilian Beach" for the eighth time in a row by the readers of Voyage & Tourism, one of Brazil's most preeminent travel magazines. According to the magazine, the beach has won its reputation due the beauty of the natural tidal pools (the closest to the coast in all of Brazil), the ecological trails, the hotel infrastructure and the proximity to a large city and airport in Recife.

The beach line is 18 km long with white, fine grained, clean sand. A chain of reefs line the coast, and these reefs form the famous pools. During low tide, the water trapped by the reefs forms natural pools. Tourists can swim and dive in the pools, or feed the stranded fish.

Porto de Galinhas has evolved from a sleepy fisherman village to become the playground of Brazil's rich and famous; and in recent years, a popular vacation spot for domestic travelers. While the beach is a hot tourist destination, many of the locals still make a living off the land and sea. Fishermen still plow the waves while plantation workers harvest coconuts.

Original letter of Law Áurea.

Slavery was a mainstay of theBrazilian colonial economy, especially in mining and sugar cane production. Brazil obtained 37% of all African slaves traded, with more than 3 million slaves sent to Brazil.

Slavery was legally ended nationwide on May 13th by theLei Áurea (Golden Law) of 1888. At this time the institution was in decline, as the country had begun to attract European immigrant labor throughout the 1880s, and was relying less on slave labor. Brazil was the last nation in the Western Hemisphere to abolish slavery.

Attend an acting workshop with Debora Balardini or see Seu Jorge in concert.

Brazil Station is pleased to announce a variety of Brazilian events happening in July. If you want to announce any upcoming events, or offer ideas or suggestions for future activities, please contact us atnewsletter@brazilstation.com.

Bate Papo- Tuesday, July 13 at 6pm

You are invited for a Bate Papo (relaxed conversation) in Portuguese atBossa Nova Brazil. The event is free (you pay what you consume) and it is an opportunity to practice Portuguese, meet nice people and listen to Brazilian music in a relaxed environment. All levels of Portuguese speakers are welcome, from beginners to native speakers.

For this event we will meet at a friendly space, with a low noise level and appetizer specials. The Happy Hour has been extended until 8:00pm for attendees, with $5 caipirinhas, frozen margaritas or cosmos.

Contact us at info@brazilstation.com to RSVP or visit:http://www.meetup.com/BrazilianPortuguese/calendar/13953242/ for more information.

Bossa Nova Brazil
772 Ninth Avenue 
New York, NY 10019
212 586-5005

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Acting Workshop with Debora Balardini - July 5-26

BEA (Brazilian Endowment for the Arts) in collaboration with the Nettles Artists, presents Acting Workshop with Brazilian performer and teacher Debora Balardini. The workshop will focus on some of the basic aspects of the performer's craft, including voice, acting, expression, presence, motion and emotion.

As a performer, movement researcher and producer, Debora Balardinihas been acting and teaching for the past twenty four years. She is the Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of the Nettles Artists Collective. Debora Balardini defines her work as "...acknowledgment of the space through the body... acting is a commitment to your senses, imagination and reality as a whole, be it in speech, song, silence, image or movement." The aim is to practice and discuss different techniques and influences of the theatre.

For more information check: http://www.brazilianendowment.orgbibliobrny@gmail.comhttp://www.deborabalardini.com or 212 371-1556.

BEA
240 East 52nd St
New York, NY 10022
212 371-1556

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MoMA Nights with Live Music - Thursday July 8, 15, 22 and 29 from5:30pm - 8:45pm

MoMA is open late every Thursday in July and August, with live music presented in two sets, at 5:30 and 7:00pm, in the Sculpture Garden. In July, sample the vibrant music of a new crop of Brazilian artists in conjunction with the film exhibition Premiere Brazil 2010 (in the theaters July 15-29). Hear Brazil marks a second year of collaboration with music producer and artistic director Béco Dranoff. Sculpture Garden and theater seating are limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.

July 8 - Wax Poetic Brasil
July 15 - Alexia Bomtempo and Pierre Aderne
July 22 - Adriano Santos Brazilian Jazz Quartet
July 29 - Kay Lyra

For more information check: http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/programs/52

MoMA
11 West 53rd Street
New York, NY 10019
212 708-9400

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Luiz Simas - July 10, 23, 24 and 31

In July Luiz Simas will do a series of laid-back gigs, including beautiful standard bossas (all instrumental), at Via Brasil

VIA BRASIL
34 W 46th street between 5th and 6th Avenues
New York, NY 10036
212 997-1158

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Premiere Brazil 2010 - July 15-29

A collaboration between The Museum of Modern Art and the Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival, the annual Premiere Brazil festival introduces New York audiences to original and accomplished recent work by both new and established Brazilian filmmakers.

This year's edition opens with the New York premiere of the acclaimed documentary Lixo Extraordinário (Waste Land), about the contemporary artist Vik Muniz's collaboration on a recycling project with the inhabitants of the world's largest garbage dump - a powerful ode to the transformative powers of art.

All films are from Brazil and in Portuguese with English subtitles. All are New York premieres, and first screenings will be introduced by the filmmakers. Premiere Brazil is organized by Jytte Jensen, Curator, Department of Film, The Museum of Modern Art, and Ilda Santiago, Director, the Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival.

For more information and a complete list of films, check:http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/films/1094

The Roy and Niuta Titus Theaters at MoMA
11 West 53rd Street
New York, NY 10019
212 708-9400

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Summer Samba & Jazz: July at the Cooper Union - Thursday, July 15, 22 and 29 at 7pm and 9:30pm

Cooper Arts presents three evenings of hot Brazilian samba and jazz, with sultry vocalist Kenia (July 15th), the remarkable Claudio Roditi Quartet (July 22nd), and the acclaimed New York Samba-Jazz Quartet, featuring drummer extraordinaire Duduka Da Fonseca (July 29th).

On her new Mooka Records release, "Kenia Celebrates Dorival Caymmi," the distinctive Kenia pays homage to the influential composer and singer, tackling his melodic portrayal of Bahia, the stronghold of Brazil's vibrant African culture.

Jazz trumpeter and Grammy nominee Claudio Roditi is a master musician, known for his ability to combine the complex rhythms of bebop, samba, and Afro-Cuban jazz into a unique sound. Grammy nominee Duduka Da Fonseca, performing with The New York Samba-Jazz Quartet, has been lauded as modern drumming's bridge between samba and jazz.

For more information check: http://www.cooper.edu 212-353-4195 or 212-353-4195 or events@cooper.edu.

For ticket information call: 800-746-3119 or 800-746-3119.

Rose Auditorium at The Cooper Union
41 Cooper Square (3rd Avenue between 6th and 7th Streets)
New York, NY
800 746-3119

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Liliana Araújo & Forró da Madame- Saturday, July 17 at 8:30pm

The Brooklyn-based band Forró da Madame (Madam's Forró) will play their unique (and contemporary) version of Brazilian Forró at SOB's.

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 a contemporary touch.

You can join us at the show, visit: http://www.meetup.com/BrazilianPortuguese/calendar/14012352/.

SOB'S
204 Varick Street
New York, NY 10014
212 243-4940

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Beginners Samba Class - Sunday, July 25 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 Limaintroduces 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.

For more information visit: http://www.meetup.com/BrazilianPortuguese/calendar/14012485/.

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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Seu Jorge and Almaz - Friday July 30 at 8pm

Seu Jorge is a Brazilian musician, singer/songwriter and actor. He was raised in a favela in the city of Belford Roxo in the Baixada Fluminense region of Rio de Janeiro state. He is considered by his fans a renewer of Brazilian pop samba. Seu Jorge cites samba school, and American soul singer Stevie Wonder as major musical influences.

As a singer, Seu Jorge was part of the band Farofa Carioca, writing most of the songs of their 1998 debut album Moro no Brasil. In 2001 he released Samba Esporte Fino, a pop album influenced by musicians Jorge Ben Jor, Gilberto Gil, and Milton Nascimento. His second album, the critically acclaimed Cru ("Raw"), was released in 2005. Seu Jorge also recorded the live duo album "Ana & Jorge" with Brazilian singer Ana Carolina, released in Brazil in 2005.

Seu Jorge has gained exposure through his work as an actor and soundtrack composer. He appeared in the critically acclaimed film City of God as Mané Galinha, and then played Pelé Dos Santos in Wes Anderson's The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, for which he provided much of the soundtrack in the form of Portuguese language cover versions of David Bowie classics. Jorge's performances are known for their excitement and getting the crowd moving. His new album 'América Brasil' had a limited Brazilian release in 2007.

For more information check: http://www.terminal5nyc.com/event/4560.

TERMINAL 5
610 W. 56th Street @ Eleventh Avenue
New York, NY 10019
212 665-3832

Private lessons at Brazil Station provide individualized attention.

We will have five new Group classes starting in July. Other groups may be formed based on demand.

1. NIB - Beginner Level 1 group class will start on Thursday July 15that 6:15 pm. It is for people with little or no knowledge of Portuguese.

2. NIBS - Beginner Level 1group class for Spanish Speakers will startTuesday, July 13th at 6:15pm. It is for people fluent in Spanish or/and Italian with little or no knowledge of Portuguese.

3. N2B - Beginner Level 2 group class will start on Monday, July 19that 6:15pm. It is for people who have some knowledge of Portuguese.

4.N2BS - Beginner Level 2group class for Spanish Speakers will start on Tuesday, July 27th at 8pm. It is for people fluent in Spanish or/and Italian with some knowledge of Portuguese.

5.N3BS - Beginner Level 3 group class for Spanish Speakers will start on Wednesday, July 21st 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 atinfo@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

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

Aproveitar

1. Eu aproveitei bem as férias de verão. / Eu quero aproveitar as minhas férias o máximo possível. - I enjoyed the summer vacation a lot. / I want to get the most out of my vacation.

2. Você deve aproveitar a oportunidade. - You should take advantageof the opportunity.

Carta

1. Ela mandou uma carta para o irmão. - She sent a letter to her brother.

2. Vamos jogar cartas. - Let's play cards.

Chegar

1. O avião chega às 7 horas. - The plane arrives at 7 o'clock.

2. Chega! - Enough!

Decorar

1. Vou decorar nosso escritório. - I'm going to decorate our office.

2. Às vezes é útil decorar textos para aprender línguas. - Sometimes it's useful to memorize texts for learning languages.

Emprestar

1. Eu preciso emprestar dinheiro do banco. - I need to borrow money from the bank.

2. Eu vou te emprestar minhas chaves. - I'm going to lend you my keys.

Faltar

1. Faltam 10 para as 4. - It's ten to four.

2. Está faltando alguém? - Is anybody missing?

Grama

1. Quinhentos gramas não é suficiente. - Five hundred grams isn't enough.

2. Preciso cortar a grama. - I need to mow the lawn.

Juiz

1. Juízes normalmente trabalham no Palácio de Justiça. - Judges usually work at the Court House.

2. O juiz tem muita responsabilidade num jogo de futebol. - The refereehas a lot of responsibility in a soccer game.