Archive for 'Culture'
New Music: Luiza Possi Posted by Rachel on Aug 17, 2009
Luiza Possi, age 25, grew up in Rio de Janeiro and gained acclaim as an MPB singer at an early age. She released her first album, Eu sou assim, in 2002, and has released three albums since then. The daughter of a singer and a musical producer, she has also done acting work. Several of…
Brazilian Profile: Clarice Lispector Posted by Rachel on Aug 13, 2009
Clarice Lispector is one of Brazil’s most famous and accomplished female writers, who is finally making headlines in the United States after becoming an icon in Brazil. Clarice was born Chaya Pinkhasovna Lispector, the daughter of Jewish Ukrainian parents, in 1920. When she was a baby, her family emigrated to Brazil, fleeing religious persecution, and…
New Music: Orquestra Imperial Posted by Rachel on Aug 10, 2009
Orquestra Imperial isn’t exactly an orchestra; it’s actually a band made up of 18 members, including famous and non-famous musicians alike who have rotated through various concerts with the group. The band has included Zeca Pagodinho, Seu Jorge, Caetano Veloso, and Elza Soares, amongst other big names, The band was formed in 2002 to play…
Favorite Pizza Rodizio Posted by Rachel on Aug 5, 2009
Churrascarias (steakhouses) are very popular in Brazil, especially rodízios, which are all you can eat, when the waiters bring all kinds of different cuts of meat. But not as many people know that there are other types of rodízio restaurants, including Chinese food, sushi, appetizers, beer, crepes, and pizza. So for today’s interactive feature, the…
Cielo Filho Breaks New Record Posted by Rachel on Aug 4, 2009
Cesar Cielo Filho, Brazil’s biggest swimming star, broke a world record at the World Championships in Rome last week, winning the gold in the 100 meter freestyle in 46.91 seconds. He was the first Brazilian swimmer to win an Olympic gold in Beijing last summer in the 50 meter free. He is only 22, and…
Beyond Ipanema Documentary Posted by Rachel on Aug 3, 2009
Released in March, Beyond Ipanema: Brazilian Waves in Global Music, recently premiered in New York at MoMA’s Annual Brazilian Film Festival. The documentary is about the popularization of Brazilian music outside of Brazil, and how different genres of Brazilian music have been popularized. The movie includes interviews with some of Brazil’s biggest stars, including Caetano…
Cinco Vezes Favela Posted by Rachel on Jul 29, 2009
Carlos Diegues, one of Brazil’s most acclaimed film directors, is working on a new project that he hopes will challenge stereotypes of Rio’s favelas and become a box office hit: a remake of his 1962 movie “Cinco Vezes Favela,” or “Five Times Favela.” Originally produced by upper class film students, the remake is being made…