By Bruno De Nicola, Contributing Reporter
A table at Flamengo's Porcão, photo by Porcão.
RIO DE JANEIRO – The New York based private equity fund Merrill Lynch has announced its plans to radically restyle Brazil’s famous chain Porcão. Brazil’s largest and most traditional retail food operation will undergo an extensive financial review and overhaul. Merrill Lynch bought the company in May 2008 in order to improve its modus operandi with plans to sell the business once its overall value increases.
The world’s most famous Churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse) was born in 1975 on the Avenida Brasil. Its original name was Riograndense. The current name, Porcão (Big Pig), has a colorful background story. A few weeks after the restaurant’s opening, its sign broke off, leading the eye to the next-door butcher’s sign, which had a huge pig next to its name. People started to refer to the restaurant as Porcão, and the name stuck.
Since 1975, Porcão has undergone quite a significant growth, establishing five restaurants in the Rio de Janeiro area, one in Brasilia and another in Belo Horizonte. Through franchising, the brand was exported to many countries abroad, including the United States. Later on, however, the franchise was dropped due to difficulties in long-distance business management.
Private equity funds such as Merrill Lynch normally start their investment process by picking a theme. They choose for example: energy, fashion or food; and then take over high potential underdeveloped businesses in that specific area. The inefficiently operated companies are put through a full review process until costs are reduced and management and service become more agile.
Porcão's food presentation and interior design have been overhauled, photo by Porcão. A company’s general improvement leads to a significant value increase, thanks to the business’s higher revenues and lower expenses. Ergo, at the end of the process, the company is sold to investors at a higher price.
“Food retail businesses are highly unprofessional in Brazil,” states Porcão’s former CEO, Wilbert Sanchez Montes de Oca, as he points out the details of the review process. As a matter of fact, since May 2008 the restaurant chain has gone through a total restyling: management, supplies, HR, marketing, service processes, all are being remodeled with quality and cost-effectiveness in mind.
“Culture is the hardest thing to change in a company, especially if its a 34 year-old business,” adds former CEO Sanchez, as he explains that the remodeling plan reaches out to include even the quantity of lemons used to make a caipirinha.
Porcão’s customers are loyal and stable, usually wealthy families and people over forty. However, two of the chain’s restaurants are more Gringo oriented, in Zona Sul’s Ipanema and Flamengo. Merrill Lynch’s plans for Porcão include a spread out to reach new targets. “All those who like meat should try Porcão at least once,” concludes Mr Sanchez. Branding and packaging operations are being implemented to allow the restaurants to appeal to a younger clientele as well.
By Juliana Tafur, Contributing Reporter
Lula with the Rio 2016 Olympics candidate banner at a meeting in Peking, photo by Antonio Cruz/ABr.
RIO DE JANEIRO – The entire world waits for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to decide which city will host the greatest sports event on earth in 2016. Rio is watching closely, counting the days until the final verdict comes from Copenhagen on October 2. Chicago, Madrid, Tokyo and Rio are all on the committee’s short list, but Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva says the time has come for a South American country to be a part of the Olympic and Paralympic legacy.
“We can’t accept the idea that the Olympic Games belong exclusively to rich countries,” Lula said earlier this month at the Brazilian Embassy in Paris. “I respect all the other candidates, but I think Rio de Janeiro deserves this chance.”
This is the first time the city makes it to the candidature stage, after four failed attempts in 1936, 1940, 2004 and 2012. The Brazilian Olympic Committee (BOC) has designated four groups to coordinate sporting venues, hotel accommodations, transportation and environmental concerns. Proposed projects include renovating Rio’s port and surrounding areas, as well as fast-tracking the Guanabara Bay clean-up and West Zone’s sanitation system.
Holding the Games in Rio de Janeiro will also strengthen programs like Favela-Bairro, which focuses on urbanizing low-income communities by providing street paving, transportation, electricity, gas, water and sewerage. Other projects that will benefit the city include new track and field grounds and the construction of a water park in Maracanã, as well as an Olympic park near the Metropolitan Center. The Olympic park will fit more than 200,000 people and will include commercial and office buildings.
“The point is to make up for all the delays Brazil has incurred over the last twenty years without investing in infrastructure. We will do this independently of the Olympics, but of course with the Olympics we will have to make new investments,” said Lula.
Rio 2016 wheel at Fort Copacabana, photo by the Brazilian Olympic Committee.
One of such new investments is a high-capacity, high- frequency bus transit system designed by the BOC. The committee says this transportation alternative will run at a significantly lower cost and will be capable of meeting all city needs. The buses will operate on an exclusive corridor of segregated lanes, with boarding and disembarking stations at convenient locations.
Resulting from the XV Pan American games, held in Rio in 2007, the city now has state-of-the-art sporting facilities, such as the Maria Lenk Aquatic Park and the Velodrome. If Rio were selected to host the 2016 Olympic Games, these sporting venues would become part of the Olympic Training Center, to be built over a ninety-hectare (220-acre) area.
Recognizing the benefits of the Olympic Games for Brazil, soccer star Pelé makes his case: “It’s a great pleasure to be here in full health defending Rio’s bid… We know there’s tough competition, but we are doing pretty well… So let’s get together, all of us Brazilians, with positive thoughts in our minds, to win this great battle.”
Some Brazilians, however, aren’t so positive. On the BOC website, Ana Rita Brunoro asks: “I’d like to know if there will really be a concrete policy in regards to the clean-up of the Barra [da Tijuca] and Jacarepaguá lagoons, or if it’s only pretense, as was the case in the Pan American Games?”
Alternatively, some Cariocas believe the Pan American Games served to strengthen Rio’s reputation as a hub for regional sports. Tiago Pereira, who represented Brazil in swimming at this international multi-sport event, says,“I’m sure that after delivering the Pan American Games, Brazil is fully qualified to host the Olympic Games. And I wish it the best of luck, hoping to be there in 2016.”
By Maíra Amorim, Contributing Reporter
Little Joy, photo by Maira Bittencourt.RIO DE JANEIRO – Little Joy are one of the most talked about indie bands in the music world today, and will be returning to Rio for their second show. Cariocas are getting another concert next month, this time at Fundição Progresso, on August 14.
The change of venue illustrates how big the band is getting. Last time they were in Rio, in February, they played at Circo Voador, which can hold up to 2,500 people. With a capacity of 5,000, Fundição has space for twice as many fans. Little Joy is also playing in São Paulo, at Via Funchal, on August 15.
Little Joy is a Brazilian-American group formed by the Carioca Rodrigo Amarante (from the band Los Hermanos), Brazilian-American Fabrizio Moretti (from The Strokes) and North-American Binki Shapiro, the only girl in the band. Formed in 2007, they have attained public and critic recognition and have performed all over the US, Europe and Brazil.
So far, the band has released just one self-titled CD, Little Joy, in 2008. It is a short, straight to the point and has joyful and fresh numbers throughout. They will be presenting music from this album at Fundicão’s show, accompanied by Todd Dahlhoff (bass), Matt Borg (guitar) and Matt Romano (drums).
Amarante and Moretti are members of two big bands: Los Hermanos (currently on a break), which has a battalion of fans in Brazil, and the Strokes, famous worldwide. The two met at a music festival in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2006, and became friends. They accidently met again in 2006, while Rodrigo was taking some time off with Los Hermanos and went to Los Angeles to collaborate with Devendra Banhart’s album Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon. They called Binki, Fabrizio’s girlfriend, and moved to a house at Echo Park, in Los Angeles, to write and record songs.
It is the same method Amarante used to employ with Los Hermanos. Before the release of any album they would all get together at a house in the mountains in Rio for a month or two to work on the songs. The group, formed in 1997, became a musical phenomenon in Brazil, with a huge group of passionate fans and serious LH-haters.
Music critics love how Los Hermanos were able to restyle Brazilian music, mixing rock and MPB with poetic lyrics. On July 2007, after 10 years, they gave a final concert at Fundição Progresso, drawing 8,000 people (nearly twice the house capacity).
Little Joy’s popularity in Brazil is undeniably linked to Los Hermanos. Orphan fans of the band will surely be present at the group’s show. But LH is not the only factor to their success, as Little Joy have a very different sound from Los Hermanos, and have just one song in Portuguese, Evaporar (Evaporate), a number made powerful with the help of Amarante’s whiskey-throated voice.
At Rio’s concert in February, Little Joy’s set list included Último Romance, a beautiful song about love written by Amarante and one of Los Hermanos’ most well-known numbers. It was a surprise to the audience, as they hadn’t sung it at previous concerts. Will they give audiences a repeat performance at Fundição Progresso? It’s not worth taking the risk.
Little Joy
August 14th – 10PM
Fundição Progresso
Rua dos Arcos, 24 – Lapa – Tel.: (21) 2220-5070
R$50 (with studen card) and R$100
http://www.myspace.com/littlejoymusic
By Doug Gray, Contributing Reporter
Flamengo's Adriano models new sponsor Olympikus, photo by Mauricio Val (VIPCOMM).
RIO DE JANEIRO – There were two rounds of the Brasileirao this week, and both games saw Rio’s teams fail to take an opportunity to change their ailing fortunes in the league. The top of the table continues to be dominated by three teams, Internacional, Palmeiras, and surprise leaders Atletico-MG who have been beaten just once in their opening twelve games.
Fluminense are in dire straights at the foot of the table just one point ahead of Nautico who lie at the bottom. The two sides thrashed it out in the relegation zone last year only narrowly avoiding the drop, and it looks like the 2009 season may well see a repeat of that decidedly sticky situation.
It is just 2 points from a possible 21 since their last win almost two months ago against local rivals Botafogo, the kind of form that has seen numerous coaches linked with the top job at the club. Current favorite is Renato Gaucho, the man who nearly brought Libertadores glory in 2008, but who ultimately oversaw Vasco da Gama’s first relegation in their history the very same season.
In the two matches this week Fluminense conceded eight goals, going down 4 x 2 away to Internacional on Wednesday night and 1 x 4 at home to Goias on Saturday. If the first result was understandable given the two side’s current league standings, the second, in front of their own fans at The Maracanã, was unforgivable.
Flamengo managed only a point from their two games this week, dropping down to tenth in the league and heaping yet more pressure on controversial manager Cuca who has been in charge at all three Carioca clubs in recent years, much to the suspicion of many fans as to where his loyalties lie.
Such loyalties play little part in the Brasileirao though, and the man who took Flamengo to state championship glory earlier this year will be on his way out of the door if something is not done soon to bring some vital wins.
Continuing to rely too heavily on the goals of Adriano, it was in fact Emerson who grabbed a late draw to break Botafogo’s hearts on Sunday night with two minutes left after the Foguense had been reduced to nine men with their goalkeeper Castillo and defender Wellington sent off in a spectacular match that finished 2 x 2.
On Wednesday Flamengo lost to second-placed Palmeiras 1 x 2 after a masterful display by midfielder Diego Souza for which the rubro-negro had no answer.
Botafogo will not play their eleventh round match against Cruzeiro until next month because of their opponents’ Copa Libertadores match last week, so the late 2 x 2 draw with Flamengo was a missed opportunity to grab the three points that would have seen them clear of the bottom four.
Coach Ney Franco remains ever confident that his side runs no risk of relegation this season despite their current seventeenth position and assures fans they will soon put together a run of form to see them back in contention for the Copa Sul-Americana qualification places at the very least.
The next round throws up some interesting contests in midweek, with Fluminense traveling to Atletico-MG in what is sure to be a grueling match against the top club and a very difficult place to arrest their run of defeats. Botafogo take on Nautico in Recife in a crucial relegation clash that could consign one of the clubs to the foot of the table, whilst Flamengo will host Barueri at The Maracanã – the surprise success so far this season, the Serie A newcomers are currently five places and five points ahead of their famous opponents.
By Sarah Coursey, Editor
A Galinha (The Chicken), a collaborative street piece by Smael and other artists, 2005, photo by Smael Vagner. RIO DE JANEIRO – It’s easy to miss Smael. The 29-year-old graffiti artist could easily be mistaken for a college student, and certainly not one of Rio’s premiere graffiti artists. When he gets to talking, all toothy grin and wide eyes behind smart spectacles, it becomes clear that while his mannerisms may be unassuming, his mark on Rio’s contemporary art scene is forthright. With expositions from Copacabana to Paris, the artist moves comfortably in international circles and keeps his hands busy with works on canvas, street art and an upcoming clothing line.
Rio was a late adapter to graffiti in Brazil. In the late 90s, with Rio graffiti still in its infancy, São Paulo was nearing the two-decade mark of its entry to the scene, born with tagging in the favelas. When the first Carioca pieces started appearing on buildings in 1998, Smael’s work as a member of the Nação Crew helped pave the way for the now-famous Santa Crew, whose work now dominates the streets of Santa Teresa. Despite Rio’s relatively short history in graffiti, Smael noted, “Today, Sao Paulo’s work is very homogenous, and in Rio there are many schools of graffiti styles and more variety, and there’s a lot of freedom in that.”
Smael's 2008 work on canvas Se o sertão virar mar (If the interior turns into sea), photo by Smael Vagner.Smael noted the political and social distincton between taggers, or those that put their own names or the names of their ‘crew’ on a wall, and graffiti artists, those creating figurative pieces now considered works of art in their own right. Smael commented,” The tagger wants to put his name on the wall, to be famous, and is a vandalist, but the graffiti artist is interested in aesthetics and community.”
Smael recognizes the value of promoting graffiti as the preferred street art form, and believes it can help the less fortunate. “Graffiti has created a new horizon for young people that have gone on to become artists and teachers. There are cases in which drug traffickers are now graffiti artists. It’s a gateway to a new perspective on life for the poor in favelas who don’t have other opportunities.”
The Brazilian government went as far as to pass the law 706/07, proposed in August of 2008 and approved in March of this year, effectively decriminalized graffiti while weighing heavier punishments on taggers. The law recognizes the artistic and cultural value of graffiti, and is considered by many artists to be the medium’s long-awaited and official stamp of approval. This came years after the forward-thinking Prefeitura of Rio’s project “Não pixe, grafite” (Don’t Tag, Graffiti) in 1999, which brought together 35 graffiti artists, each with their unique style; an initiative which inspired Smael to get his start.
When the Prefeitura came out in support of graffiti artists, Smael was frequenting the now-legendary Zoeira parties, hip-hop events responsible for launching artists such as Marcelo D2, now a household name. The events inspired the artists and vice versa, creating a community of like-minded people who shared their passion for art and music in the early days of Carioca graffiti.
It didn’t take long for Smael to emerge from the underground scene into the commercial gallery world. In 2003, just four years after he bought his first spray cans, his works on canvas were sold in the since-closed Haus Gallery, part of the Casino Atlantico complex in Copacabana. Smael’s art is now exclusively represented by the Inox Gallery, in the same location. On August 13, he will be the subject of a joint show at the gallery with São Paulo artist Alexandre Orion. His work is also on display in Santa Teresa at the posh pousada Castelhino 38, until August 2.
More information on the artist can be found at www.smael.com.br.
By Karen Shishiptorova, Contributing Reporter
Clifford M. Sobel, current US Ambassador to Brazil, photo by Brasilia US Embassy.RIO DE JANEIRO – As reported, US Ambassador Clifford M. Sobel is scheduled to be replaced by Thomas A. Shanon this summer. Appointed by George Bush in retribution for his fundraising efforts in New Jersey during the reelection, his nomination in May 2006 was seen with a certain reserve by the Itamaraty – Brazil´s Foreign Office – as among other issues, Sobel spoke neither Portuguese nor Spanish.
Mr. Sobel arrived with an express presidential order: To convince the Brazilian government to accelerate NAFTA – North American Free Trade Agreement – negotiations. He was also to stimulate the integration of the bio-oil industry between the two countries, which did not move forward. However, it was under Sobel´s three year watch that Brazil-US relations improved considerably.
Sobel´s recent declarations to O Globo reinforce the importance of Brazil-US bilateral relations to President Barack Obama. “Brazil´s policies are evolving, as well as US´s. And we are paying a lot of attention to them. Obama´s administration is still in its first six months, but it is building an agenda where Brazil is definitely at the center,” he declared, adding that the synchronicity between Obama and Lula is so perfect, they finish each other´s sentences. Much like Obama has given a new face to America, Brazil also underwent a makeover in the recent years. “Brazil is experiencing a very special moment. It is an island of stability, both politically and economically. When we look at the issues ahead, such as energy, climate, swine flu and the financial crisis, Brazil must be a part of the solution.”
Mr. Sobel learned that Brazilians are unable to say no, yet, this does not necessarily mean they are saying yes. He is also glad to note that, today, Americans know where Brazil is on a world map and that Buenos Aires is not its capital.
Sobel is credited with the Brazil visit of President George W. Bush and former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, as well as being a fierce motivator and facilitator of the productive Brazil-US CEO Forum of March 2007, to promote trade, industry and investment focusing on economic growth for both countries. He was also behind the endeavor called +Unidos, a joining of forces between the US Embassy, its consulates, the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the American Chamber of Commerce and fifty other American companies to develop and promote social and corporate responsibility initiatives in Brazil.
The +Unidos group released a complete mapping of US corporate and social initiatives in Brazil on December 9, 2008 entitled Social Private Investments in Brazil.
One of his final duties was launching the Northeast Brazil Tourism and Investment Seminar, held June 10 and 11 of this year, in Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Pernambuco. Sponsored by the US Embassy, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the Brazil Tourism Department, it gathered industry representatives and officials to discuss tourism and business opportunities between the US and Northeast Brazil.
Currently preparing his return, Sobel is sure about two things in his upcoming future: He and his wife, Barbara, are determined to learn Portuguese, a project he found impossible to tackle due to his 24/7 busy agenda, and that he will not return to his former company, Net2Phone (now ADIR) an internet telephone service provider. He intends to maintain the links and connections established in Brazil, with an eye to business ventures or even a university assignment.
By Bruno De Nicola, Contributing Reporter
Brazilian gas station on Freedom from Taxes Day, photo by Ramaiana Vieira.
RIO DE JANEIRO – Petrobras is set to launch the first part of a new project in the biggest oil basin ever discovered by mankind. The whole plan for oil extraction in the “Pré-sal” (Pre-salt) area will cost US$174 billion, leading the state company to profit from at least another two billion barrels. Despite these and other fruitful oil extraction measures, gas prices remain high at the consumer level.
The “Pré-sal” covers a very extensive area of 112,000 square kilometers just off the eastern coast of Brazil. It stretches 800 kilometers, from the state of Santa Catarina up to the state of Espirito Santo. Scientists believe that the basin probably extends further north to the state of Ceará. A thick layer of salt (200 to 2,000 meters) favored the transformation of primordial micro-organisms into the richest source of energy in the world.
In 2006, while inaugurating Petrobras’s largest platform, President Lula officially announced that Brazil had become self sufficient in terms of oil. In fact, by the end of the year, exportation exceeded importation by US$3 million.
However, the cost of gas for Brazilian consumers has not dropped and is still much higher than in neighboring, non self-sufficient South American countries. For example, the average price for a liter of gas in Brazil is R$2.53; in Paraguay, where there are no wells, it costs R$1.45. In Argentina, Chile and Uruguay, which together extract about a fifth of the amount of Brazil’s oil, the price is R$1.70.
Brazilians are paying a dear price for gas because of incredibly heavy tax pressures. If taxes were eliminated, per liter prices drop to an unexpected R$1.39.
On May 25 of this year, Brazilians celebrated the protest day titled “Dia de Liberdade de Impostos” (Freedom from Taxes Day). This specific date was chosen because the national press published a research article earlier in the year that counted 145 days of work just to pay taxes, or until May 25, based on a five-day work week. Gas stations participated in four cities for a one-day tax relief from taxes, lowering prices an average of 40 to 55%.
Strategic economic measure aiming to limit the annual quantity of oil extraction are a likely cause behind non-decreasing gas prices. The Brazilian government is afraid that a strong variation in the global oil market could cause a US Dollar drop, which would eventually damage all other exportation.
Low regulation over quality and service make fueling up in the Rio de Janeiro area a variable if not dubious deal. That is why Brazilians, as opposed to Gringoes, often speak about gas quality. Some gas stations are brand-less, while others are known to add water to their fuel. Recent research shows an impressive difference in price from one part of the city to another, and slight but significant differences between gas stations in the same neighborhood. The highest variation in price marked a whopping 12.4%.
Alivio Vaz, Vice President of the Union of Fuel Distributors, advises consumers to be careful when they see prices far below average: “Small differences of around R$0.05, either in a big area or the same neighborhood are part of normal competition, but a R$0.10 variation is a little fishy.”
By Jayme Monsanto, Contributing Reporter
2004 Olympic Champions Ricardo and Emanuel claimed Silver in the Grand Slam Moscow, photo by CBV.
RIO DE JANEIRO – Once again Brazilian doubles played a major role in a Beach Volleyball World Tour event. Grand Slam Moscow took place between Monday, July 13 and last Sunday, July 19, and Brazil took the Silver in both genders’ events, with a Gold in the Women’s event.
2004 Olympic Champions Ricardo and Emanuel finished second in the male competition, after being defeated by current World Champions Brink and Reckermann in the final on Sunday. The match was very balanced, as the Brazilians won the first set by 26-24, and lost the second by 18-21. In the tiebreaker set, the Germans played demonstrably better, and Ricardo and Emanuel lost by 14-16. The Bronze medal went to Swiss duo Lagica/Bella (Bella is a Swiss-naturalized Brazilian).
“We played well through the match, and even though we had a good advantage in our hands in the second set, we couldn’t win. Brink and Reckermann are having a great moment, and they have a very consistent game,” commented Ricardo after the final against the Germans.
In the Women’s Event, an all-Brazilian final took place, as Juliana and Larissa faced fellow Brazilians Renata and Val on Saturday. Juliana and Larissa were the winners, claiming the gold medal on Moscow sands. The Brazilian duo had already won in Moscow in 2005, 2006 and 2007, but could not take part in the 2008 competition as Juliana was badly injured.
This is the fourth Gold on Moscow sands for Brazilian duo Juliana and Larissa, photo by CBV.
“First of all, it is great to be back on top of the podium,” said Juliana, who celebrates her 26th birthday on Wednesday, July 22. “The past two weeks have been very disappointing since we played good enough to win, but could not make the big plays to win the most important matches.”
The 27-year old Larissa was “extremely pleased” about winning in Russia for the fourth time. “Juliana and I really enjoy playing in front of the Russian fans. They are very supportive of our play. We liked playing in such a historic place like St. Petersburg and are just as excited to win in the Russian capital today. It is not from Russia with love, but to Russia with much love from Juliana and me.”
The Bronze medal in the Women’s Event went to German duo Goller/Ludwig.
The next stop of the Beach Volleyball World Tour will be the Marseille Grand Slam, in France. The event starts next Thursday, July 23 and ends on Sunday, July 26.
Seven female doubles will participate: Juliana/Larissa, Ana Paula/Shelda, Maria Clara/Carolina, Talita/Maria Elisa, Ângela/Vivian and Luana/Lili. The male doubles playing the Marseille Grand Slam are: Alison/Harley, Ricardo/Emanuel and Márcio/Fábio Luiz. Five other Brazilian duos will play the Country Quota qualifying event to participate in the competition: Pedro Solberg/Benjamin, Billy/Bruno Schmidt, Pará/Bernardo, Thiago/Jan e Beto Pitta/Lipe.
By Maíra Amorim, Contributing Reporter
Beirut on stage with a flurry of musicians and horn instruments, photo by Will Melbo.
RIO DE JANEIRO – The American band Beirut will grace the stage in Brazil for the first time this September. They will perform in the percussion festival PercPan in Salvador (4th and 5th) and Rio (8th and 9th). A couple of stops outside the circuit have been planned as well, in Rio (10th at Sala Cecília Meireles) and São Paulo (11th and 12th at Via Funchal). The band will play seven concerts in the country – quite a few chances for fans to witness their Brazilian debut.
The band is led by Zach Condon, a 23 year-old Santa Fe, New Mexico native, a self-taught artist who learned to play several instruments such as the trumpet and piano. At the age of sixteen, he decided to drop out of school and travel the world. That is when he got in contact with different cultures and traditional music and decided to make a music project. It started out as a solo, but then Beirut was born in 2006, along with eight musicians, and has since become the darling of indie-rock.
The unique sound of Beirut, part gypsy and part big band, was inspired in part by Zach’s time in Europe. “I kind of wanted a ramshackle orchestra. This is gonna sound like a romantic story, but when I was in Paris I saw this band of kids that all bought pawn shop instruments like busted up tubas and trumpets and stuff, and they would all wander around Paris, playing. They weren’t great musicians or anything, but it sounded awesome and was a lot of fun. I kind of wanted to mimic that idea.”
Beirut, photo by Ben Chrisman.
Zach recorded his first album “Gulag”(2006) on his own, alone in his bedroom, playing all the instruments. For that feat alone, critics claim he is a music genius who is now a kind of maestro to the rest of the band. In Brazil, Beirut will present songs from “Gulag”, “The Flying Club Cup”(2007) and “March of the Zapotec”(2008). The song “Elephant Gun” was included in the soundtrack of the TV Globo series ‘Capitu’, which brought the band success in Brazil.
Another curious fact about Condon is that he studied Portuguese at New Mexico University. “I wanted to learn the pronunciation. Portuguese is the most beautiful language to sing in. I’m a fan of Caetano Veloso, Jorge Ben Jor and Tropicalism. After France and the USA, Brazil is the third most important country for me. It will be great to finally be there,” he said in a recent interview with O Globo.
The PercPan concerts in Rio will take place at Teatro Oi Casa Grande, in Leblon. Information about prices and times has not yet been announced. Check the venue’s website in the next weeks for an update at http://oicasagrande.oi.com.br/.
—-
www.beirutband.com
By Jaylan Boyle, Contributing Reporter
Secretary of Justice Romeu Tuma Jr, champion of Brazil's amnesty law, photo by Divulgacao.
RIO DE JANEIRO – The long-awaited immigration amnesty is at last a reality, and a canvassing of opinion among Gringoes indicates that an easier time is being had by those outside Rio and São Paulo.
While some in the smaller centers are getting the job done in twenty minutes, others, many in São Paulo, are struggling to identify when the doors will open to the appointed office. Some in Rio have reported that they are not receiving replies from the Policia Federal to application appointment requests, and instances of computer systems down for long periods.
An unforeseen difficulty for some is the requirement of applicant’s parents names to be authenticated by a consulate. For many, including British, Americans, Australians and New Zealanders, this is problematic as not all passports contain this information. The only solution is to make an appointment with one’s consulate to obtain a certificate with parent’s names. A birth certificate is not required by all consulates, including the British, where a self-declaration of one’s parents names is sufficient.
Another issue is the lack of clarification on when an applicant became ‘irregular’; the law states that the prospective resident must be illegal when they apply, however although one must have arrived in Brazil prior to February 1 of this year, the applicant’s status may change to illegal until the amnesty ends in December.
The press office of the Policia Federal has told The Gringo Times that applicant numbers are below expectations, which begs the question of whether many illegal workers see rectifying their situation a necessity. The amnesty is primarily aimed at migrant laborers rather than tourists, many hailing from the likes of Bolivia and Columbia.
The point has been raised that applicants should not expect too much help from their consulates. To give significant assistance would technically be abetting overstays, putting foreign countries in a precarious position with the Brazilian government. It seems that most consulates, besides authenticating documents, are not giving advice on the amnesty.
Jenny Smith from Porto Alegre is an encouraging success story for those about to take the leap. She has been in Brazil for fifteen months, twelve of which she has overstayed her visa. Jenny reports that the process took twenty minutes from start to finish.
“In my case, the process went remarkably and rather unexpectedly smoothly. I had only two minor glitches: my first trip to the Policia Federal was too early and they didn’t have procedures in place yet; the second was the added requirement of the Consular Certificate.”
Now that the amnesty is well underway, procedural difficulties should have been resolved, and it is hoped that the process will get smoother with time. Here in Rio, wildly differing experiences have been reported, with some finding the same level of service as did Jenny Smith in Porto Alegre.
Most Gringoes on the various amnesty blogs agree that almost everyone in an irregular situation will be eligible, but that attention to detail when collecting required documentation is key to avoid trudging home empty-handed and facing the bureaucratic machine all over again.
What’s required:
– 2 passport photos
– Consular document stating parent’s names (essential for passports without parent’s names)
– Passport and authentic copies of all pages of passport (including blank pages)
– Entry card (white paper given to arrivals in Brazil)
– Amnesty registration form (obtainable from the Policia Federal)
– Declaration of a clean criminal record (also available from PF)
– Receipts of the payments of the taxes
Contact your consulate:
AustraliaCanadaIrelandNew ZealandUKUSA
