Post Office Santa Claus - Papai Noel dos Correios

Held since 20 years, the  Post Office Santa Claus is one of the biggest social campaigns of Christmas in Brazil. The main concern is to respond to the senders of the cards addressed to Santa Claus and promote the mobilization of the society for the dream of Brazilian children. The spread  of christmas values such as love of neighbor, solidarity and happiness is the main benefit gained through the work of more than 108 000 employees and the solidarity of the Brazilian society. The campaign is aligned with one of the Millennium Goals set by the United Nations (UN), called "Quality basic education for all." The campaign will aim to respond to letters of socially vulnerable children  who write to Santa Claus and also to stimulate the writing of handwritten letters.
Be part of this action. Enter the site of Brazilian Post Offices and see which is the nearest office that takes part to the initiative, choose one or more letters and buy the presents to make children happy. If you want you can also be a volunteer and read the letters that the children are sending to Santa Claus.

Mercato Fashion finally in Sao Paulo

From 9 to 24 December the city of Sao Paulo gets the Mercato Fashion, an itinerant bazaar that already passed through Campinas and Rio de Janeiro bringing some of the best national brands with discounts ranging from 50% to 70%. It will be in Sao Paulo from today until December 24.
Here the main brands and designers: Ale Chueire, Alessa, Beach Couture, Carlos Tufvesson, Carlota Joakina, Filhas de Gaia, GIG, Glória Coelho, Hava, Jefferson Kulig, JJ of Juliana Jabour, Maale, Missinclof, Nem, Neon and Thelure.

Service
Where: Alameda Lorena, 1579 –  São Paulo 
When: From Monday to Sunday from 10 am to 10 pm. Day 24/12 open till 2 pm 

Odissi: Indian traditional dance

Odissi is a templar dance that was created in the Sun Temple, Konark region, easter India, in the mid-second century BC. There, in the Sun temple, all the basic movements of dance are carved. The style is characterized by the harmony of opposites and the fluidity of movement. The program consists of a traditional repertoire of Odissi.

Service
Where: CCSP, rua Vergueiro 1000 - Sao Paulo
When: December 9, at 9 pm
How much: For free (324 seats)

Circus Festival for free!

Between December 8 and 12, the Vale do Anhangabaú and surrounding will host circus activities  in honor of the National Day of the Clown (December 10). The party will show both Brazilians and Latin Americans artists to exhibit in a canvas built in front of the Post Office building, besides that many street activities will happen in the streets.

The Argentine Chacovachi makes his second appearance in Sao Paulo, this time bringing the show "Cuidado!! Un payaso malo, puede arruinar tu vida "(Beware, a bad clown can ruin your life). The performance will be presented on the10th, at 4.30 pm and on the11th at 1 pm. With a 24-year career is one of the most traditional street clowns from Argentina and worked for 16 years from plaza França in Buenos Aires.

Here is the Full Program!

At the opening on December 8, at 8 pm, a performance of the group Acrobat Fratelli happens on the buildings in the Vale. The next day, at 1 pm, is programmed the interactive spectacle "La mutante variété " of the Uruguayan Pambazos Bros. From Chile, El Kote group brings the show "Aquí el único animal soy Yo" (Here I am the only animal). The soil, which will be presented Dec. 10, at 15h, gathers technical juggling and improvisation.

Today is Avenida Paulista 119th birthday

 Picture: Werther Santana

Inaugurated on December 8, 1891, the Avenida Paulista was an initiative of the engineer Joaquim Eugenio de Lima, to respond to the demand of the residential center of Sao Paulo. In 119 years, the street followed the changes that transformed the city into one of the largest and most important of the world, always being at the forefront of these changes.

Today the Avenida Paulista is the main postcard from Sao Paulo, housing hundreds of shopping centers, theaters, bars, restaurants and universities. Daily, including weekends, officers, young and old people walk on its sidewalk.

 Picture: L.C. Leite

Viaduto do Chá is an interesting place in the city centre

The Viaduto do Chá is a famous bridge located in Vale do Anhangabaú, downtown in São Paulo. It was inaugurated in 1892 and was also the first bridge built in the city.

The name's origin is controversial. Some say it refers to the traveling salesmen who sold tea in the region before the bridge was completed but others argue that the name refers to the tea plantations of the farms of Baron Tatuí. Whatever the case may be, there is no tea to be found on the modern bridge.

Stay alert with your wallet and/or purse. The area is very crowded and known for pickpockets.

Service
Where: Viaduto do Chá

There is a square in Sao Paulo where is possible to find a replica of 14 bis airplane

Inaugurated in 1974, this bronze statue is an exact replica of the 14-Bis airplane created by Santos Dumont. Sculptor Luiz Morrone created this three ton piece in honor of the centenary of the birth of the man known as the "Father of Aviation" in Brazil.

Service
Where: Praça Campo de Bagatelle

Introducing: Oca at Parque do Ibirapuera

Designed by Oscar Niemeyer in 1951, the Pavilhão Lucas Nogueira Garcez, popularly known as "Oca" (it means house in the indian language), is an exhibition site located inside Ibirapuera Park.

Designed to be part of the original architectural Ibirapuera Park, it was built to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the City in 1954.

Recently this building has been used to host high profile exhibitions such as the paintings of Picasso and the Warriors of Xi'an (Chinese terracotta sculptures).

Service
Where: Parque do Ibirapuera
How much: It's up to the event

Tickets for the Amy Winehouse concert in Sao Paulo are already available

The tickets for the Amy Winehouse concert at Anhembi Arena on January 15th are already available.

The ticket prices range from R$ 200 (floor) and R$ 500 (premium track), and can be found by telephone (4003-1527) or via http://www.livepass.com.br/.

The British singer, 27 years old, will perform in Rio, Recife and Florianopolis.

Related links:
Concert of Amy Winehouse in Sao Paulo will be at Anhembi
Amy Winehouse in Sao Paulo for the first time

Welcome to the Bar do Biu

Bar do Biu offers dishes from Northeast of Brazil. Located very close to Praça Benedito Calixto, the bar usually gets crowded on Saturdays and it can be difficult to get a table. The audience is a cool mix of musicians, publicists and artists.

On Sundays the restaurant fills with families out for lunch. Stop by to enjoy a beer at one of the sidealk tables and be sure to try the Baião de Dois (Rice, cow peas, dried beef, cured sausage, bacon and cheese). It's a great place to have a beer on Saturday afternoons!

Service
Where: Rua Cardeal Arcoverde, 776
Phone: (11) 30816739
How much: About R$ 20 per person
Website: www.bardobiu.com.br/

6th edition of Cinema Venezia in Sao Paulo

The festival Cinema Venezia reaches in 2010 its sixth edition. The Embassy of Italy and Venice Biennale will give us a selection of Italian films presented during the 67th Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica in Venice.

Five of the six selected works are a panorama of contemporary Italian cinema who ran the Venice Film Festival this year and the sixth is a classic, restored, a tribute to the great actor Vittorio Gassmann: Profumo di donna, directed by Dino Risi in 1974. Check out the program!


Service
When: From 22 to 27 November
Where: Livraria Cultura and Cinemateca Brasileira
How much: For free

Virada Esportiva - sport everywhere in the city

Virada Esportiva 2010 is taking place during this week end, it started yesterday but you still have time to enjoy some sport today! This edition has some new features such as hang gliding simulator, the Ecological Games of Cantareira, the Swoop (parachuting from a helicopter) and sports on ce. The official program of the event has more than two thousand activities spread across all regions of the capital.

The goal is to awaken the population and to push them to include the daily practice of physical activities in their routine. Among the places that are hosting the event: Vale do Anhangabaú, Viaduto do Chá, Praça do Patriarca, Nova Luz, Parque do Ibirapuera and da Cantareira, Represa Guarapiranga.

Besides the events in the city center, the Virada will have more than a thousand activities to take place in schools Clubs, Community Clubs, Leisure Streets, parks, SESC's and other sports venues. The public expectation is to surpass the mark of 2009 in which more than 3 million people participated in sports activities.

Ascolta

Trascrizione fonetica

5th Human Rights Film Festival of South America

From November 19 to 25 Sao Paulo will host the 5th Human Rights Film Festival. As part of the program, on Saturday, the festival welcomes the presence of the Argentinian director Ricardo Darin, known for movies including "El Hijo de la Novia" and the Oscar-winning "El Secreto de sus Ojos".

Created in 2006 to celebrate the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is a space for reflection, inspiration and promotion of respect for the dignity of the human being. Brazil has sought to strengthen education and culture on Human Rights, in order to form a new mindset to the exercise of solidarity, respect for diversity and tolerance. As artistic expression, the cinema has a strong language able to touch people, to give feelings, to raise awareness and build common identities. Initially displayed in four cities, the exhibition has been growing every year. This fifth edition will be present in 20 Brazilian cities, covering the five regions of Brazil. Last year, the festivl recorded an audience of more than 20 000 people in 16 cities. The estimate for this year is that number to be doubled.

The festival is organized by the Human Rights Secretariat of the Presidency, with production of Cinemateca Brasileira, sponsored by Petrobras and support of SESC-SP, TV Brasil and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. All the movies have free entrance, rooms are accessible to people with disabilities.

Program

Balada Literaria, literature festival in Sao Paulo

A festival of literature without accreditation or press office, without tickets online and cerimony.
The balada begins today and runs through Sunday - promising turmoil in the region of Vila Madalena and Pinheiros. The main events (book launches, debates, concerts) will take place on nine points in the region, like the Livraria da Vila, the Biblioteca Alceu Amoroso Lima, theCentro Cultural b_arco, the Mercearia São Pedro. In the 24th and 25th there will be a Ressaca Literária (Literature Hangover), with more attractions. All for free. The event mix everyone. You can actually have a coffee with your favorite author, share an idea, and even drink a beer. It is like a house party.

The opening ballad occurs in the Livraria da Vila at 11am, the honoree of the year, writer Lygia Fagundes Telles, will chat with readers. Actress Leandra Leal will read excerpts of Lygia. The list of special guests is extensive: Lauro César Muniz, Hugo Possolo, Marcelo Rubes Paiva, Cid Campos, Alice Ruiz, Jorge Furtado and many others. The ballada has the advantage of not only being a literary event. Shows of Fabiana Cozza (today at 8:30 pm in the cultural b_arco) and the band Os Outros (Sunday at 8 pm, in the cultural b_arco) are also scheduled. One of the most important events this year is the presentation of a play based on the work of Chilean writer Roberto Bolaño (1953-2003). The piece Los Críticos También Lloran has Spanish actors and Venezuela.

The event also will launch a new publisher, Edith (of Marcelino Freire and Vanderley Mendonça). Between releases, especially A Matadora de Orquídeas (The Killer of Orchids), of the poet Analu Andrigueti. In the book, poems that range from childhood reminiscences to free verse about sex.
 
Highlights
Thursday November 18 
11am: Meeting with Lygia Fagundes Telles
(Participation of actress Leandra Leal).
Livraria da Vila, Rua Fradique Coutinho, 915
8:30 pm: Launch of new editor Edith, followed by a concert with singer Fabiana Cozza. Launch of book "A Matadora de Orquídeas," of the poet Analu Andrigueti. In the b-arc, Rua Dr. Virgilio de Carvalho Pinto 915

Friday November 19
2.30 pm: Chat with Sergio Roveri (playwright), Beth Goulart (actress) and Marcelo Rubens Paiva (writer and playwright). On occasion, there will be a tribute to the writer, actor and literary critic Alberto Guzik. Livraria da Vila
7.30 pm: The German writer Ulrich Peltzer launches novel 'Part of the Solution'. Then there will be party with DJ. At the Goethe Institut, Lisbon Street, 974

Saturday November 20
1.30 pm: Young poets make a tribute to poet Roberto Piva. EspaçoPlinio Marcos, Benedicto Calixto Square
5 pm: Meeting with Augusto de Campos. In the Library Alceu Amoroso Lima, Rua Henrique Schaumann, 777
8.30 pm: Presentation of the play "Los Críticos También Lloran", a tribute to the writer Roberto Bolaño. At the Teatro da Vila, Rua Jericó, 256
  
Check out the full program

New Hostel in Sao Paulo: Gol Backpackers

Inspired by one of the greates passion of every Brazilian, the new hostel Gol Backpackers could not be missing in our best accomodation list. Located in the heart of the city, Gol Backpackers is an excellent starting point for you to enjoy the best of Sao Paulo. The hostel is close to Sao Paulo's main avenue (Avenida Paulista), 250 meters far from the subway station Trianon-Masp and in front of the bus stop of the Airport Bus Service - Linha Circuito dos Hotéis (Hotels Circuit Line). It's the easiest goal ever!

This privileged location makes easy for the tourist to be in few minutes in some of the city's main spots. Of course they also have a great bar, for people like us, usually staying in backpackers when travelling, it is important to know that your hostel as a friendly place to have a cold beer after a long day of walking and visiting.

The hostel also has some interesting facilities: it is opened 24hs a day, this help if you wanna stay out all night (which in Sao Paulo is quite an obliged option, especially in the week end), you can sleep till late during your last day because the check out is at 11 am, big breakfast, free tea and finally, quoting the Gol Backpackers' website "it is safer than Italy's defense"! If you are a football lover the hostel has some plus: footbal every week Brasil x World Stars; button football competition; footbal skills contest; Shot in Gol! Everyday from 6 to 6:30pm (Free shots of Brazilian drinks)!

Service
Where: Rua Sao Carlos do Pinhal 461 - Sao Paulo
When: 7/7, 24/24
How much: From R$ 35 to 45
Website: http://www.golbackpackers.com/

18th MixBrasil Film Festival of Sexual Diversity

The 18th MixBrasil Film Festival of Sexual Diversity is taking place from November the 11th to the18th in São Paulo. It started at the beginning of the 90ies and it was the first time in Brazil that GLS organized in such a big art festival. This edition is going to screen 105 movies. The Festival was opened by the movie of Javier Fuentes-León's Peruvian drama Contracorriente / Undertow, that gaines a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar submission. The South American films gained special attention in the festival but the rest of the world is not unrepresented.

Not only movies but other activities will happen at the same time. On Saturday, the workshop"how to shoot a sex scene", at the Museum of Image and Sound (MIS), the directors of Tata Amaral, Malu de Martino and Carlos Alberto Ricelli , as well as guests from Germany and France to discuss with the public the process of creating sequences. The Mix Music - music arm of the event - brings bands like Mercenárias, Comodoro Truffaut and Daniel Peixoto to the Olido Gallery on Sunday and Monday.


Service
When: November the 11th to the 18th
Where: Many cinema of the city. Check out the list.
How much: Different prices, according to the Cinema.
Website: http://www.mixbrasil.org.br/
Program: http://www.mixbrasil.org.br/programacao2.php

Norah Jones for free in Sao Paulo

Yes, it is true! This wonderful singer, Norah Jones, is making a show on Sunday for free, at the Parque da Independencia. The concert will be opened by Jesse Harris at 4 pm and will continue with Norah's show that will present her newest album "The Fall".

Service
When: Sunday November the 14th, from 4 pm
Where: Parque da Independencia, Avenida Nazaré - Sao Paulo
How much: For free

Film Festival 4+1

From Thursday 11 to Sunday 14, the Cinemateca Brasileira (south zone of São Paulo) will host the first Film Festival  4 + 1, sponsored by Fundación Mapfre, Madrid (Spain). Held simultaneously in five cities (also in Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Mexico City and Madrid), the event aims to display recent productions of new and great directors, who have little space in the distribution chain of cinemas.
 
Service
Where: Cinemateca Brasileira, Largo Sen. Raul Cardoso, 207 - São Paulo
When: From November 11 to 14
How much: R$8 and R$4
Website: http://www.festival4mas1.com/

Video Guerrilha in Sao Paulo

Today, Thursday the 11th, the Video Guerilha project created by the VJ Alexis Anastasiou from the Visualfarm will take place in the Rua Augusta. The event, lasting three days, will be held between the streets Fernando de Albuquerque e Marquês de Paranaguá, always starting at 8 pm.

With media-art interventions on the buildings, the Video Guerrilha will be held collectively by audiovisual artists from different parts of Brazil and the world. Its innovative format will transform the Rua Augusta area in an outdoors art gallery and open to the public.

The event explores the possibilities of transforming urban spaces through installations, virtual graffiti and projection of giant images. Have a look on this amazing Video Guerilha made in Rio de Janeiro.

Service
When: November the 11th, 12th and 13th starting from 8 pm
Where: between the streets Fernando de Albuquerque e Marquês de Paranaguá
How much: For free
Website: http://www.visualfarm.com.br/videoguerrilha/

Concert of Amy Winehouse in Sao Paulo will be at Anhembi

The Amy Winehouse concerts in Brazil is already set up. The British singer performs in January on: 

• Florianopolis at Pasha, on January 8th
• Rio de Janeiro at HSBC Arena, on January 11th
• Recife at Centro de Convenções Pernambuco, on 13th 
• São Paulo at Arena Anhembi, on 15th

Except for the concert in Rio, Amy Winehouse arrives as the main attraction of the Summer Soul Festival, which will receive, in addition to the British star, the American singer Janelle Monáe and Mayer Hawthorne.
 
Janelle also splits the night with Amy in Rio, but without the name behind the festival's concerts.
Ticket sales for the concerts will start to be sold on November 22nd via livepass.com.br website, but the prices were not informed yet.
 
That is the first time the polemic pop star, 27 years old and two albums recorded, comes to Brazil. The tour comes a little before her third album release, scheduled for 2011. Amy received five Grammy Awards and Janelle Monáe was also nominated in 2008 with the single "Many Moons."

[source: destak]

An underground music festival

Musicians who appear in subway stations from around the world have until this Friday in Sao Paulo, the first edition of Red Bull Sounderground festival, which will be happening on the lines Blue, Red and Green.

The event will bring together 20 attractions and will be held simultaneously in eight other cities. In São Paulo, the presentations will be from 11am to 1pm and 5pm to 7pm in ten stations. On Friday, the last concert will bring together all the musicians.

To get to the cast of the festival, Marcelo Beraldo, the creator of the event, traveled 17 cities around the world, listening to the work of several musicians. The presentations will be all instrumental, with many styles, from reggae to tango, through pop, rock, blues and jazz.

Ten subway stations will receive the first edition of the international festival of subway musicians

"Playing in the subway is supposed to be in real life. No one need to be invited to the concert and having a straight contact is priceless", said Anatol Eremciuc, who was born in Moldova and plays accordion in the stations of Barcelona. The musician blends the traditional music of Eastern Europe (his country lies between Ukraine and Romania) with the rhythms of the West.

Service
What's up: Red Bull Sounderground
When: from today until Friday.
How much: For free

Where: See complete schedule on the site http://www.redbullsounderground.com/

Line 1 - Blue

Ana Rosa: Mellow and Pyro (Berlin) - Tomorrow, 11am

Sé: Anatol Eremciuc (Barcelona) - Today, 11am

Luz: Blood Red Sombreros (Moscow) - Tomorrow, 5pm

Line 2 - Green

Vila Madalena: Goan Ana (Sao Paulo) - Tomorrow, 11am

Line 3 - Red

Corinthians/Itaquera: Vivian Del Pintor (London) - Wednesday, 5pm

Tatuapé: Custard and Mustard (London) -  Thursday, 5pm
Bras: Harmonicas Mexicanas (Mexico City) - Thursday, 11am

Anhangabaú: Kutner and Koc (Paris) - Today, 11am

República: Akil Dasan (New York) - Tomorrow, 11am

Barra Funda: The Xylopholks (New York) - Today, 5pm

Revirada - The first edition

The first edition of Revirada happens in Largo do Arouche on November the 6th and 7th with the theme "dance." It is inspired by the the idea to create activities in the central region of Sao Paulo, like for the famous Virada Cultural. This first edition is about dance but there will be more on architecture and poetry.

The program is presenting various rhythms such as Salsa, Samba-rock, dance hall and dance lessons, among others. It is promoted by the Municipality of São Paulo, through the Municipal Department of Culture.
 
Service
When: November the 6th and the 7th
Where: Largo do Arouche - Sao Paulo
How Much: For free
Program: http://www.prefeitura.sp.gov.br/cidade/secretarias/cultura/noticias/?p=8388

Food Festival: Caminhos e Sabores

From this weekend to November the 14th we suggest you to have a walk at the Mercado Municipal and try the delicious dishes of the food festival called Caminhos e Sabores! 12 traditional stalls of the Mercadao will offer you discounts and new dishes!

The Elidio Bar, for example, launched especially for the event the Portuguese filet mignon  (filet mignon, fried onions, breaded, sautéed potatoes and maize farofa), for R$ 32. But if you have a smaller budget you will find good options too: the Hocca bar serves the baby sandwich at R$3 (usually it is R$ 8,50) and Raffoul offers a beer if you order the Arabic trio dish!

Terra de Santa Cruz, Sala Vip, Mortadela Brasil, Hocca Bar, Brasileirinho, Elídio Bar, Japa Loko, Salada Paulistana, Pastelaria da Gigia, Lanchonete Ponto 27 and Lanchonete Torre Du Kebbab, these are the stands taking part at the event!

Get to know Sao Paulo better: Cortiços

Even if Sao Paulo is often pictured as the richest and business city of Brazil, this is not the reality for many of its inhabitants. In the center of Sao Paulo, next to famous touristic points, some families live in what is known here as a cortiço. A cortiço is usually a house, divided into several small rooms, where many people live in poor hygiene condition and poverty. Sometimes big families live in a very small room and they have to share bathroom with other families, having very little privacy.

Part of the history of these cortiços are reported in the book we are suggesting you today: Cortiços – A Experiência de São Paulo. In the book you can also find the actions implemented since 2005 by the Municipality of São Paulo in the neighborhoods of Mooca and Se to improve the living conditions in these houses. The preface is by Thomas Hagenbrock, architect and urban consultant for the World Bank, the pictures are of Fabio Knoll and the book is edited by Alonso López, Elisabete França e Keila Prado Costa. The book is the result of the Programa de Cortiços from the Municipality of São Paulo and of the CDHU – Companhia Habitacional de Desenvolvimento Urbano (Housing Agency fot Urban Development).

The program, endorsed by the Lei Moura (1991) establishes minimum standards for housing to be completed by the owners of cortiços. To enforce the law, from 2005 to 2010, 1,814 properties in the central region were inspected, among which 723 have not been classified in this category. Of the remaining 1091 properties, 36 have been completely refurbished, 280 are in the works of adaptation and 66 were banned to represent a life risk to residents.

The book ca be download for free. It is really worth to read it and look at the pictures if you want to know a face of the city that is not so glamour as what we usually suggest you but that is, certainly, a representative slice of Sao Paulo society.

A nice space to read - PraLer

The reading area called PraLer is located in Parque da Água Branca and has a nice collection of books, which can be read by people in the park.There are seven different spaces, with a collection of children's literature, Brazilian and foreign literature, poetry, magazines, art books and others. Conferences and workshops for children are also organized. It is a good suggestion, to follow their blog because there you can be updated with all the event connected to the space PraLer. This is a really nice initiative that should be enlarged in other parks or public spaces of Sao Paulo.
 

Service
Where: Rua Ministro Godoi, 180 - Sao Paulo
When: From Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 am to 6 pm
How much: For free
Website: http://espacopraler.wordpress.com/

A new park in Sao Paulo: Parque Várzeas do Tietê

It was delivered these days the first phase of the Parque Várzeas do Tietê with the opening of a 15 km cyclestreet. Considered the largest linear park in the world, 75 km long and an area of 107 squared kilometers, it must only be completed in 2014.

In this first stage, the investment was R$ 377 million, 30% from the government of Sao Paulo State and 70% financed by the Interamerican Development Bank (IDB). The park should benefit 3 million people in the east area of the city at an estimated cost of R$ 1.7 billion.

The project design includes recreational facilities, while seeking to restore and preserve natural floodplain of the river and reduce flood risks in the metropolitan region of São Paulo. In all, 33 units of leisure, culture and sport, and 250 km of cycle track, 77 football fields and 129 sports courts.

The new movie of Woody Allen in Sao Paulo.

You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger (in Portuguese: Você Vai Conhecer O Homem dos Seus Sonhos), this is the new movie of Woody Allen and it is finally in Sao Paulo cinemas. It was launched at the last Cannes Film Festival in May and it begins with a quote from Shakespeare about the meaninglessness of life, something that the filmmaker brings to the screen, with different tones, in almost all his movies. 
The story happens in London, two normal couples break their marriages in search of a breath of newness to fill the emptiness of their lives. The cast is full of stars: Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins, Josh Brolin, Naomi Watts, Freida Pinto.

The minimal consumption fee is not prohibited anymore in Sao Paulo!

The state law that prohibited the charge of a minimal consumption in pubs and clubs was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court (Supremo Tribunal Federal). 
The decision is already evident in night clubs. Let us know which bar are now charging the minimal consumption fee.

Elections in Brazil

Today Brazilians are going to elect their next President. The candidates are Dilma Roussef (PT) and José Serra (PSDB). In Brazil the vote is mandatory so around 135 milion people are supposed to make a choice today.
If you want to follow the elections in English, here is a good link from the newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo.

http://comentarios.folha.com.br/comentarios?comment=107644&site=folhaonline&skin=liveblog

Cidade Limpa

This is a short video showing how the city has changed with the implementation of the law called Cidade Limpa - Clean City. It is not possible anymore to put banners everywhere in the city, so now we can see buildings' facades and streetlamps as they are, not covered by advertising material.

Psychologists of the Traffic

Drivers honk, shout and gesticulate. But it is not stress, it is relaxed and even joy. It seems unlikely, but the scene happened in a São Paulo traffic crossroad. The actors of this "miracle" are the Psychologists of the Traffic, a troupe that decided to humanize the routine of those who drive in the streets of the capital. They are volunteer clowns who make performances bewteen the streets ofTeodoro Sampaio and Henrique Schaumann, in Pinheiros.

People do not smile immediately. When the lights get red and the clowns begin to position themselves in the crossroad, many of the drivers close the windows. At the end of the presentation, which lasts about a minute, drivers' behavior changes. They open the windows, waving and shouting.

According to the group, since performances began on August the 2nd, they were never harassed.

The troupe has created five skatches to distract drivers. At the end of them all, the group raised a banner with the phrase "A day without laughter is a wasted day " Charlie Chaplin.

Inside Sao Paulo is seeking an English native speaker for a proofreading job.

Inside Sao Paulo is seeking an English native speaker for a proofreading job.

Profile:
• English native speaker, with excellent writing skills
• Interest in tourism
• Resident in Sao Paulo
• Good eye for detail
• Ability to assimilate large quantities of information, work independently and deal with strict deadlines

The job is remunerated. Interested and qualified candidates, please send your cv at diego@insidesaopaulo.com by October the 30th and we will get in contact with you.

34 Sao Paulo International Film Festival

The Mostra
From October 22nd to the 4th of November, São Paulo hosts the traditional São Paulo International Film Festival. For two weeks, more then 400 films from several countries will be exhibited at the 34th Mostra, in over 20 spaces among cinemas, museums and cultural centers around the capital city. The selection provides an overview of the world contemporary cinema production and of the tendencies, themes, narratives and aesthetics produced worldwide.
http://en.mostra.org/

Mostra Online

For the second year, São Paulo International Film festival promotes, in partnership with Mubi, the biggest platform of films on the internet, Mostra Online. This year, beyond the regular exhibitions in the theaters, 68 films of the selection of the 34th Mostra will also have free screenings on the internet. This is a great chance for Mostra’s fans all over Brazil, including those who don’t live in São Paulo, to be part of the event. The exhibition of the movies was previously authorized by the producers – and all the foreign language films have subtitles.
 http://mubi.com/festivals/sao-paulo

Free bike

In an unprecedented initiative, the 34th Mostra in partnership with the NGO Parada Virtual and Sabesp, connects with a free bike circuit, 15 of the exhibition halls. The first hour of loan is free and the others cost R$ 10 per hour. To get a bike, you have to register - the registrations can be made presenting a photo ID and proof of residence or visa for foreigners - and provide a credit card with a minimum balance of available R$ 350. Those who have no credit card can purchase the cyclist card at the price of R$ 15 and it will be valid during all the exhibition (from October 22 to November 4). In this case, the registration must be done at the Mostra Center in the Conjunto Nacional or at Unibanco Arteplex, located on the 3rd floor of the Shopping Frei Caneca.
 

Places equipped with bicycles: 

Belas Artes - Avenida Paulista, 2378 

Centro Cultural São Paulo - Rua Vergueiro, 1000 

Cine Cultura - Rua Padre Joao Manuel, 60 

Cine Olido - Avenida São João, 473 

Cinema Sabesp - Rua Fradique Coutinho, 361 

Cinematheque - Largo Senador Raul Cardoso , 207 

Cinesesc - Rua Augusta, 2075

Urban Bike in Sao Paulo

Tourists who stay in Sao Paulo will soon have a new way to experience the city: on two wheels, they will visit museums and go to clubs following professional cyclists.The Urban Bike project, launched this week, will start as a pilot project at the Hotel Unique, and in June 2011, will be expanded to other hotels and open to everyone. The idea is to reach 200 hotels, integrating a network until 2014.

The pilot project will work only abouve invitation until December. At this stage routes, reservation system and the operation of the program will be tested. In the second stage in January, the project will be open to guests of the Unique Hotel. In June it will be expanded to other hotels and anyone interested can participate, even if not a guest of the hotel.

The idea came for the 2014 World Cup. In the 2006 World Cup in Germany, for example, there was full use of bike.The tours will be guided by personal bikers who know the city very well. They are urban cyclists who have experience and a developed cultural repertoire.

Daylight Savings Time starts on October 17th in Brazil

photo: Glauco Araújo/G1

 

It will be necessary to add one hour to the clock on October 17th 2010.

 

The Brazilian Daylight Savings Time (DST) on 2010 will begin on October 17th at 0h01am and ends on February 19th 2011 at 0am. The time is adjusted to achieve longer evening daylight, by setting the clocks an hour ahead of the standard time. Be aware about flight schedules and buses departing time.

The time changes is only applied to the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Parana, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Espirito Santo, Minas Gerais, Goias, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul and Distrito Federal.

Last year, the period began on October 18th and ended on February 21st 2010. The Daylight Savings Time is current in Brazil since 1932.

Café Martinelli-Midi is a charming place to have a coffee in the city center

Opened in 1993, Café Martinelli-Midi is all set in a style of the 20s, with a furnished at that time. It's decor gets strong influences of French bistros. It is a pleasant environment where you can take an authentic Brazilian coffee, enjoy a pie or even have a "caipirinha".

Although the bistro's specialty is the breakfast and afternoon tea, lunch meals are very good. Be sure to try the traditional French Vol-au-Vent pie pastry stuffed, accompanied by salad or white rice. Among the menu options there are also soups and carpaccio.

According to the owner Carla Vigorito, Café Midi-Martinelli was ranked three times as the best coffee in town. Have a try and let us know if it is true!

Service
Where: Rua Líbero Badaró, 540 - São Paulo
When: From Monday to Friday, from 7h30am to 7h30am

Website: http://www.cafemartinellimidi.com.br/

Claudio Baglioni will play in São Paulo in October

2011 is going to be the year of Italy in Brazil. Brazil has been the home of a large number of Italian immigrants for a long time, their culture has had a strong influence on the Brazilian way of living and the celebrations have already started. Claudio Baglioni, one of the most important Italian singers, will be visiting São Paulo in October.

He started his work in the Italian music scene when he was only thirteen years old. Besides singing he has presented projects as a writer and architect, and is the creator and producer of an art and music event called “O' Scia”, where artists from all over the world get together in a reunion where the main topic is the immigration and the cultural integration between people.

The singer and songwriter, who has reached records in album sales and sold out concerts, will also celebrate 40 years of his carrier during the concert in São Paulo. Check it out!

Service:

Where: HSBC Brasil - Address:R. Bragança Paulista, 1281 - Chácara Santo Antônio - São Paulo

How Much: Prices range from R$120,00 to R$250,00 (ticket sales at www.hsbcbrasil.com.br)

When: October 11, at 9:30pm.

Website: http://www.baglioni.it

The ex-Beatle Paul McCartney will come to Sao Paulo in November!

The Ex-Beatle will be in Sao Paulo for just two concerts in Brazil, part of his tour that will also include Chile and Argentina.

Finally, the final chapter of the soap opera about the Paul McCartney's visit to Brazil was revealed. The former Beatle will be back to the country in November for two concerts only in São Paulo. The dates are not scheduled yet, but it will be likely around November 10th and 11th, and the intended location is the Morumbi Stadium.

Speculation about the visit of McCartney has been taking over the media for months. The confirmation reached the journalist José Norberto Flesch through a source close to the Paul McCartney.

The presentations are part of the Paul's "Up and Coming" Tour, which began in USA in March. The Paul's last visit to Brazil was 17 years ago. He also came up in 1990, for a concert in Rio.

According to the journalist Ale Rocha, the McCartney's team gave up the Praça da Apoteose for a possible concert in Rio. Since Maracanã Stadium is closed to get ready to the World Cup, there was no alternative, and both concerts planned for the country were organized to Sao Paulo.

A three-hour concert
In U.S., Paul has made presentations lasting up to three hours. The concert repertoire have pyrotechnics and passes the singer's career since the days of the Beatles.

The opening is usually a sequence with "Venus and Mars," "Rock Show" and "Jet", in that order. Throughout the night, it brings songs like "Let it Be," "Band on the Run," "All My Loving," "Blackbird," "Something," "My Love" and "Live and Let Die."

Paul sings about 35 songs. If nothing changes, the last before the first encore, will be "Hey Jude". Then he returns to stage with "Day Tripper," "Lady Madonna" and "Get Back". In the second encore will bring "Yesterday", "Helter Skelter" and "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band / The End."

[source: josé norberto flesch]

JA 367, more Jazz inside Sao Paulo

If you are walking during the day and you pass in front the number 367 on the Rua Joaquim Antunes (on the block between Rua Pinheiros and the Avenue Rebouças) you won't notice anything. At this time, the address is an office. At night, however, what once was the garage and garden of this old house becomes the bar JA 367. You enter from the side and a red carpet leads you to the pub. There you'll find a nice lounge with couches and armchairs that once belonged to the Hotel Ca'd'Oro. In this space both parties, with the sound of DJ and intimate jazz, R & B and sou concert happenl. At the time of drinking choose the long neck beers, including Eisenbahn, Devassa and Stella Artois. Nice place to be in Sao Paulo.

Service
Where: Rua Joaquim Antunes, 367 - Sao Paulo
When: From Thursday to Saturday, from 9 pm to 2 am
Website: http://www.ja367.com.br/

Human Rights short movies Festival - Entretodos

From September 13 to 19 CineSesc and Matilha Cultural host the 3rd edition of the Festival of Short Movies "Entretodos". The curator of the Festival has selected 24 short of the hundreds he received for the competition of the  best short movie. This yars the movies are more focused on issue related to the Human Rights.

Sevice
Where: CineSesc, Rua Augusta, 2075 and Matilha Cultural, Rua Rego Freitas, 542
When: From September 13 to 19, from 3 pm tp 8.30 pm
How Much: For free
Website: http://www.entretodos.com.br/

Expoazeite - Olive oil event in Sao Paulo

Over the past five years, consumption of olive oil has nearly doubled in Brazil, as a result of the emergence of a new middle class, which added it to its menu. Even so, the average per capita is only 200 milliliters per year. In other countries it is 2 liters per person. That means, there is still space to grow. One of the priorities of Expoazeite is to discover the best ways to harness the curiosity of the citizen about the olive oil.

Among the 25 exhibitors, there are specialists in the cultivation of olive and producers of extra virgin version - the noblest, obtained from the first pressing of olives. Two rounds of talks are scheduled. The idea is to discuss the expertise of exporters such as Portugal and Spain as well as hearing reports from those who have just started in the industry, such as companies from Chile, Uruguay and, of course, Brazil.
Hook part of this clientele is another mission of Expoazeite. That's why the access to the event will be free. In addition, there will be tasting of 200 varieties of olive oil. The process works similarly to the wine, if you go to Expoazeite you should taste a sip of the product. There is, indeed, a specially designed glass for this purpose. Another attraction: Vitor Fratini, an expert on the subject, will call for any questions from visitors. "We want the consumer to see the difference between a quality product and the one he bought before."

Service
Where: Rua Doutor Plínio Barreto, 285 -  Sao Paulo
When: September the 13th and 14th, from 10 am to 7 pm
How Much: For free
Website: http://expoazeite.wordpress.com/

International Children Film Festival

From September the 10th to the 19th, it happens in the Cinemark network the 8th Children Film Festival. The event will take more than 90 films bringing together original and classic Brazilian short films and international TV shows and special exhibitions and workshops on film animation and debates. To view the complete schedule of the movies, visit the official website of the 8º Festival de Cinema Infantil (8th International Children's Film Festival). It is just R$ 5 for each movie