Belo Horizonte for All

114!

2011-12-13T15:06:00.002-02:00

Yesterday, December 12, Belo Horizonte turned 114 years old. This video is a toast to it!

Malaysian teenage prodigy attracts interest of Belo's soccer club Cruzeiro

2011-10-26T00:51:00.002-02:00

"After impressing during his one-month training camp with the South American side, the 15-year-old is now set for an extended trial in 2012"

Read full article here.

Drivers out of control!

2011-10-09T13:54:00.001-03:00

During the fourth edition of the Red Bull Soap Box Race last Sunday, October 2nd, wacky pilots hit the sloping hills of Praça do Papa, for the excitement of a 55-thousand-fan crowd. A fogão-à-lenha shaped car, based on Minas Gerais typical old-time wood burning stove, was the big winner!

And the winner was Red Bule, a "Fogão à Lenha" on wheels.

Niemeyer's latest and last cathedral

2011-06-25T14:37:00.010-03:00

Belo Horizonte's archbishop, Dom Walmor Oliveira de Azevedo, has just unveiled 103-year-old architect Oscar Niemeyer's master plan for the city's second cathedral, the first being Catedral da Boa Viagem, downtown.

The new temple, a longtime dream of Belo Horizonte's catholic faithful and already named Christ, the King's Cathedral, will be erected in the northern Venda Nova borough, closer to the new Administrative center - also designed by Niemeyer - and the Confins International Airport.

Shaped like praying hands rising towards the sky, the structure can also be seen as two columns symbolizing God's mysteries or even a boat, with open sails ready to navigate waters of peace and hope towards social justice, says the bishop.

Figures for the building are impressive: it will have capacity for 5,000 seated lay people and up to 20,000 visitors in special events, amounting to 40,000 square meters of construction-area and taking between 75 and 100 million dollars worth of investment.

A favorite for Brazil's big architectural projects for years, Niemeyer stated this would be the last cathedral he would design.

Christ, the King's cathedral is expected to be completed by 2014, probably ahead of the World Cup games, some of which will take place in the city.

Via Estado de Minas

A taste of Minas Gerais in the voice of new 'country'-music star Paula Fernandes

2011-05-23T12:41:00.010-03:00

Although singer Paula Fernandes started her career back in 1993, only now she has gained national prominence as a pop / sertanejo (Brazilian country) music singer, with her songs taking top places in the charts.

Paula was born in neighboring Sete Lagoas (Seven Lakes), about 37 miles from Belo, and has also recorded a few songs both in honor of her hometown and Minas Gerais, as Seio de Minas which has become the official theme song of Terra de Minas, a TV show featuring cities and towns around the state with their typical culture, food and locals.

Watch the official video for "Seio de Minas" and, further below, I have tried a loose translation of the lyrics for you. (Sorry if it doesn't sound quite poetic or right - and I definitely couldn't catch up with the rhyme in Portuguese.)

Seio de Minas (Lyrics)
Paula Fernandes

Eu nasci no celeiro da arte / I was born in the arts barn
No berço mineiro / In the mineiro cradle
Sou do campo da serra / I'm from the hill plateau
Onde impera o minério de ferro / where iron ore is king

Eu carrego comigo no sangue / In my blood I carry
Um dom verdadeiro / A true gift
De cantar melodias de Minas / of singing Minas songs
No Brasil inteiro / all over Brazil

Sou das Minas de ouro / I am from the gold Mines*
Das montanhas Gerais / from the General* mountains
Eu sou filha dos montes / I am a daughter of the Mountains'
Das estradas reais / of the royal roads'

Meu caminho primeiro / My early way
Vi brotar dessa fonte / I saw it sprout from this fountain
Sou do seio de Minas / I am from the bosom of Minas
Nesse estado um diamante. / In this diamond land.

*General Mines as in Minas Gerais, the state's name

Alternatively you can watch several videos (on You Tube) featuring the same song along with images of Minas Gerais hilly landscape and tourist attractions.

Listen to Paula Fernanda's latest album (live) here, for free.

And here, Paula's rendition of "Dust in the Wind":

Also:

Behind Blue Eyes
and Don't

P.S. I am not a big fan of sertanejo music, but Paula Fernandes captivated me for several reasons. I hope you like this post.

Saint Patrick's: a new tradition in Belo.

2011-03-23T19:07:00.006-03:00

Both Frei Tuck Pub and BH Rugby decided to throw street parties this year in honor of Saint Patrick's which were held on Saturday, March 19. The shamrock (♣) and the green-clad took the streets of Savassi to celebrate and drink. The trouble was, there wasn't enough beer for the big crowd. Most of the invitations were sent out via social networking, but the street vendors, who really matter in this kind of event, don't usually have access to the internet in Brazil (at least not yet). Unlike all the other popular festivities in Belo, when scores of street hawkers with their large polystyrene coolers take every corner, no one could be found this time. The result was thousands of complaintive guests disappointed at Saint Patrick who had nothing to do with the mess.

I'm sure the organizers had the best of intentions and will be more attentive next year. And, I hope they will also make for more powerful (music) loudspeakers.

All pics from this gallery.

Official Posters / Teasers

Parks of Belo – A renaissance (I)

2011-02-21T10:46:00.008-03:00

It was not until quite recently, with all the talk about Global Warming and the need for an environmentally-friendly Eco-awareness, that the average Belohorizontino (citizen), started to feel committed with the preservation of parks and green areas around the city. It was somehow felt – maybe not only through widespread propaganda but also through local public policy – that, in order to help maintain parks well kept they would have to be attractive to the population, who in turn, would develop a bond – some sort of affection and a love of the place, thus acting to protect that public area for recurrent use.

During the 80's and the early 90's important parks and squares in Belo Horizonte became decrepit and run-down, a haven for street-dwellers and criminals who would keep the average citizen terrified of such places. Then the renaissance began – for a city which once was dubbed “The Garden City", first with the renovation of iconic Praça da Liberdade and then, although slowly and a with a few drawbacks, the gradual revitalization of many other parks “of a lesser importance”.

As an urban-planner myself and in agreement with Janes Jacobs, I understand that humans like the sight of other humans (and enjoy their company). (Indeed, it is very typical of belo-horizontinos or, for that matter, Brazilians, to drive around looking for a bar, skipping all the empty ones, until they find a place with enough people, that is, crowded, even if they have to wait in line to get a seat.) So, a big challenge for the city administrators has been to give appropriate uses to the squares so they will be always teeming with the “right kind of people”.

Here's a new and successful example, Praça (Square) Floriano Peixoto, in the Santa Efigênia neighborhood. It had been abandoned for ages until, last year, under a public-private partnership, where a business helps to maintain a public space in exchange for some tax deduction, Unimed, the giant health insurance cooperative, revamped the square completely. The project allowed for, among other things, a jogging track, an outdoor gym center, a playground and a few open air theatrical arenas (amphitheaters). Total Success! Every day, I drive by, at different times, and there you see the happy crowd. Kudos to Unimed and City Hall.

A (local) star is born!

2011-02-03T19:19:00.002-02:00

"Meet Brazil's Best Taxi-Driving, Beat-Boxing Michael Jackson Impersonator"

"The world is full of Michael Jackson impersonators delivering their best "Bad"s everywhere from Hollywood Blvd. to your local subway station. But how many of those performers can deliver a spot-on King of Pop impression while beat-boxing and driving you from one place to another? Meet Jean Walker, a cab driver in Brazil who gets you to your destination in a timely matter and is likely the closest thing his native country has to a faux King of Pop (via Buzzfeed)."

Read full article here.

Bienal Pulverized

2011-01-31T11:52:00.015-02:00

Some of the works displayed at the 29th Bienal de São Paulo make it to Palacio das Artes in Belo, where they will stay (open to visitation) thru March 20.

Obeying some visceral propriety, I couldn't help obliterating artist Gil Vicente's "Enemies" series images at the background.

by Cinthia Marcelle

New Bus Station to Reduce Downtown Traffic

2011-01-15T13:29:00.007-02:00

Belo’s city planning department will start construction of a new bus station in the São Gabriel neighborhood to help ease downtown traffic which is currently made heavier by vehicles moving in and out of the central bus station.

The new location sits strategically beside the city’s ring road and on the way to Confins International Airport. A public conference center will also be built close to the station facilities making it convenient for visitors to take part in events held there. Both venues should be completed by 2014, when Belo will host some of the World Cup games.

More pictures here.

Recently on Belo: Ana Finel Honigman reminisces about Minas Trend Preview

2011-01-09T17:58:00.004-02:00

New York and London-based Art and Fashion critic Ana Finel Honigman reviews Belo Horizonte major fashion event.

Via A Shaded View On Fashion

Ahead of the World Cup, more hotels

2010-12-16T12:26:00.005-02:00

5-star Pullman at the "Belvedere Site"

As demand rises 6% a year, Belo Horizonte is gaining new hotels to increase capacity for the 2014 World Cup, including five luxury towers in strategic locations around the city.

Maio-Paranasa Builders along with French group Accor, for example, are investing over R$ 300 million in 3 to 5-star hotels in the Savassi and Belvedere neighborhoods.

3-star Ibis at the "Belvedere Site"

Ibis Hotel at the "Afonso Pena Site" in Savassi.

The Belvedere neighborhood (Click the picture to see more.)

Aerial (Click the picture to see more.)

Also via O Tempo

Happy 113th Anniversay, Beautiful Belo Horizonte!

2010-12-12T12:43:00.003-02:00

Today, Belo is celebrating its 113th year since its foundation. Check images of the city which becomes more beautiful by the day.

Yet another video

2010-12-10T00:52:00.000-02:00

As Brazil grows, (upscale) investment pours into Belo Horizonte.

2010-12-07T19:02:00.006-02:00

Reserva Real is a sophisticated housing development 50 km away from downtown Belo Horizonte under the management of Design Resorts. It will feature several luxury condos surrounded by lush woods and vegetation, as well as a golf course, an equestrian resort, a shopping and entertainment mall (Uptown) and a mini airport which will give the complex the status of "first Fly In Community" (sic) in South America.

The estate will be strategically located in relation to the state's new administration center (35 km), to Confins International Airport (20 km) and to the new technological district, also known as Vetor Norte (3o km).

More info and pictures here. (in Portuguese)

Hash Brown distant relatives?

2010-11-30T22:04:00.006-02:00

Rosties at Barracão

Belo Horizonte is such a young city compared to Sao Paulo and Rio. It’s only going to turn 113 this December. But it strives to catch up with those two, looking to be fashionable and cosmopolitan. So, there are more and more new stores, bars, restaurants and clubs trying to offer international variety in a “world-class” atmosphere - complete with the chic interiors and subleties of refinement. But, can you be a punk other than at heart?

Cosmetic change is no change of heart. But, if a change of heart is needed to catapult Belo onto the rich cultural playground, we qualify. Just look inside. At the heart of this city lie treasures and people who are fertile, curious, sensitive and creative enough to ignite Belo Horizonte’s spirit and connect it to a truly multicultural and cosmopolitan world.

Then, you ask me, “How about hash browns?” Well, far off Belo’s beaten path districts, in the Pompéia neighborhood, you will find the Barracão Butiquim, where you can listen to live music of the most unexpected kind, drink from nostalgic Lagoinha glasses and eat delicious rosties – resembling hash brown casseroles - in a backyard-like patio dotted by 'cosmopolitan souls'.

Even Penguins!!!

In the Company of Jabuticabas

2010-11-25T22:10:00.004-02:00

Here are a few pictures of the jabuticaba orchard in Recanto Santo Agostinho, a so-called “hotel-fazenda (farm-hotel)” in the nearby town of Mário Campos, about 40 km (25 miles) from downtown Belo Horizonte. You can hire the whole place for the weekend to hold conferences, retreats, family parties and the like.

Jabuticabas are delicious and fascinating fruit, usually ripe between September and November in southeastern Brazil, depending also on the rainy season. In some nearby towns, locals will “rent” individual jabuticaba trees in their backyards to tourists so they can enjoy eating the fruit in loco as well as collecting as much fruit as they can. The neighboring historical baroque town Sabará holds a jabuticaba festival yearly usually in November. Read more here.

For the soccer lovers

2010-11-21T15:13:00.003-02:00

A new insight into Belo's 2014 World Cup Stadium, Mineirão.

And a few images of alternate stadium “Independencia’, in the Sagrada Família neighborhood, which will be used while Mineirão is under renovation.

Back to Blog

2010-11-18T17:51:00.001-02:00

In Belo, tree tunnels are a rule, but rarely noticed.

It’s very hard to feed all my blogs in such a busy life. I would update the classic “out of sight, out of mind” as “out of time, out of sight” which would be applicable to everything, from friends to blog posts.

Although writing blogs is very pleasurable to me, sometimes it’s virtually impossible to carry out all the sound process of prospecting, picking out, researching, taking pictures, writing, checking, editing and posting on a regular basis or one expected by blog readers. Let alone if you have to do it in your free time due to a lack of sponsorship.

So, I’ve decided to take a new approach here. Instead of waiting for the unlikely chance to fulfill all those requirements and beating (my own) expectations I will sometimes write shorter posts or simply post a picture or two.

It’s not a question of lowering the blog standards but rather a way of keeping it novel and fresh while giving the readers a chance to open up to their imaginations and run to their own conclusions.

Then, to bring this blog back to life, a few pictures of Barbacena Avenue in the Barro Preto / Santo Agostinho neighborhoods, showing tree tunnels, very common around the city and (thus) usually taken for granted by locals.

Morar Mais 2010, Belo Horizonte – Highlights

2010-09-27T17:00:00.015-03:00

The old building which once housed Hilda Brandão Maternity Hospital has been revamped,...

...highlighting its beautiful architecture in French neo gothic style.

One week to go until the end of this year’s mineiro edition of Morar Mais Por Menos®. So, I’m presenting, as promised, the works of young architects Ana Cláudia Verleun, Dinah Verleun and Laura Serafini.

"Galeria do Bem Estar" (roughly "Wellbeing Gallery"...

...by the Verleun sisters.

"Degustation Room" by Laura Serafini.

The architecture and decoration exhibition is also featuring several parallel events such as fashion and jewelry shows, wine and beer courses and tasting sessions.

Fashion show featuring bags by different Brazilian designers.

Jewelry show with pieces from the Anima Collection by designer Paulo Armando

The built-in restaurant designed by architect Cristina Menezes combined sustainability, low costs and great ideas into comfort and sophistication. The patchwork panel on the wall was made of wallpaper leftovers. The curtains, though imposing, were made from fabric costing as low as R$ 2.50 a square meter. Most items and materials, from the eco-friendly wooden floor to the low-consuming lamps were chosen to suit the sustainable project.

The restaurant, dubbed "VIVER A VIDA É VIVER BRASIL", roughly "Living life is living Brazil".

Other pieces definitely worth seeing:

"The young couple's bathroom" by Vanessa Barbosa, Carlos de Abreu and Patrícia Castro

"Dining-room"...

...and "Tea/Coffee Room" by Studio PXP

"Lunch Room" by Willemberg Lobato

Superb Lamps in the "Lavabo Room" by Lucha Fonseca

"Family Living Room" by Andréa Medeiros and Samira Ader

"Relaxation Room" by Carla Fontoura and Jacqueline Melo

"Conductor's Studio" by José Alberto Vianna de Figueiredo and Dante Lapertosa

"Santa Maria da Boa Esperança" Chapel (roughly "Saint Mary of Good Hope") by Letícia Batista and Deusicléia Horta with memorabilia from Suzana Maria Sousa Lima Mattos de Paiva's collection.

In the meantime...

2010-09-17T17:03:00.002-03:00

The world recreated by Raimundo

2010-08-31T19:05:00.008-03:00

"Naïve Art" artist Raimundo Machado de Azeredo started building his nativity scene back in 1906 when he was 12 years old. Because of scarce means, he first used a cardboard box lined with corn silk, moss and dried leaves to shelter the small baby Jesus. Decades later, after much devotion and hard work, the so-called Presépio do Piripipau was popular not only around his neighborhood but in the whole country. The ingeniously animated collection which features 580 figures in 45 scenes was transferred to the Museum of Natural History in 1976 and in 1984, four years before the creator’s death, the Brazilian government declared the piece an official part of Brazil’s Historic Heritage.

Raimundo's portraits.

A representation of the artist's studio.

More info on the Museum of Natural History here.

Do you like fish?

2010-08-13T21:07:00.008-03:00

Well if you do but are rather in the mood to contemplate the living creatures than to eat them, head to the Belo Horizonte Aquarium, which features 22 tanks filled with river water and swarming samples of 50 different fish species all from the Sao Francisco River, the longest river that runs entirely in Brazilian territory. As Brazil’s largest river fish aquarium, it also has a multimedia auditorium, exhibition galleries, gardens, a laboratory, a snack bar and a souvenir shop.

The aquarium is located at the nothern Pampulha Region, inside the city zoo, so allow some extra time for the other animals, too. Avoid weekend visits, if you want quiet. The Aquarium, along with the zoo, is open from Tuesday to Sundays from 8:30 am to 4 pm; the zoo closes 1 hour later. Tickets are paid separately, varying from R$ 2.00 to R$ 7.00, depending on day of visit. There’s a car fee, too, if you’re driving. Avenida Otacílio Negrão de Lima, 8000 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte - MG. Further info here (Portuguese)

Botanic Gardens, also close by, inside the zoo.

Theater Festival starts out tonight.

2010-08-05T19:57:00.006-03:00

Bob Wilson in Happy Days by Samuel Beckett
photos by©Luciano Romano

The 10th edition of Belo's International Theater Festival - Stage & Street (FIT) runs thru August 15. Companies from countries such as France, Spain, Argentina, Colombia and Nepal as well as troupes from around the country are going to perform at theaters in paid-for shows and also for free at outdoor venues in different neighborhoods. Check program here.

On the streets of Belo: Pre-Spring Explosion II

2010-08-04T18:27:00.002-03:00

Yellow, too!
An Ipê Amarelo (Tabebuia) at a small square in the Floresta neighborhood.

Pre-Spring Explosion I

Jazz is all around...

2010-07-30T15:53:00.006-03:00

...and for free, once again.

Vana Gierig (Photo by Eniac Martinez)

I'm running a little late, I mean a "lot" late (because I was off on vacation and couldn’t update the blogs), but you are still in time to see great names of world-class jazz on the streets and squares of Belo Horizonte. Vana Gierig, Jimmy Duchowny, Ull Moeck, John Ellis, Alma Thomas, Pink Turtle, Judy Carmichael and MPB singer Elza Soares are only a few of the musicians who are performing tonight and over the weekend at twin jazz festivals in the city, the Savassi Festival and the I love Jazz Festival, both featured here in past editions.

Elza Soares

Brazil launches web site for the 12 host cities of the 2014 World Cup

2010-07-29T10:08:00.005-03:00

Click the picture to visit the page the 'Brazilian Cities Selection" page.

Via Travel Daily News

Belo Horizonte might host 2014 World Cup opening ceremony.

2010-07-17T13:14:00.009-03:00

Since mighty São Paulo is lagging behind in preparing for the 2014 World Cup, Belo Horizonte is pushing a big effort to bring the opening ceremony to Mineirão, its prime football stadium. As reported by Estado de Minas, local authorities are waging a major campaign “pro-opening ceremony” which includes a 50-thousand signature petition - over 40,000 so far - and the backing of the state governor, Antônio Anastasia, the city mayor, Marcio Lacerda and a group of celebrities from Minas Gerais state.

Playing against Belo is the limited number of world-class hotels and the poor subway system. But the city’s main avenues have already been widened and remodeled in order to accommodate faster traffic. As for the hotels, if you are an investor, this is the right time to jump on the bandwagon.

"Come on, FIFA, we want it and we deserve it!"

Update: Read more on FIFA's webpage.

Brazil Cartograph-ed

2010-07-14T23:10:00.008-03:00

When the Portuguese set shore in Brazil in 1500, they soon tried to register and record what they had found. But they actually devoted themselves to the business one and a half centuries later, after realizing that the new “invaders”, the Ducth – mainly represented by the Blaeu family's cartography specialists – were producing richly detailed maps of Terra Brasilis, also referred to as Terra Papagalli (Parrots’ Land) back in 1525.

So, at “Coleção Brasiliana Itaú” you can even notice that, at the time, the Portuguese maps were still rudimentary copies trying to catch up with the Dutch works.

This impressive exhibition at Palácio das Artes running thru August 1st, is part of Itau Bank Council President Olavo Setubal’s invaluable collection, carefully and passionately assembled by him over the years and which includes items related to Brazil’s history, art and literature from the discovery times to the present days – a true jewel symbolizing Brazil’s image and culture.

Brazilian emperor Pedro I’s note to the Marchioness of Santos, thanking her for a turkey she had sent him as a gift:
“Thank you for the kindness of sending me the turkey which I have roasted and whose half I have ordered to be sent back to you."
Rio de Janeiro, April 6, 1828

A View and a Poem

2010-07-12T18:55:00.004-03:00

Snow...

... flowers.

Winter; snow;
Not here, though;
Winter flowers,
Barrens deniers.

And the hand of a friend
On a day of cry land.

Hearing versus pain;
Cards can be turned;
Flowers and companion;
Happiness once again.

Lúcio Antunes, July 12, 2010.

On the streets of Belo: Pre-Spring Explosion

2010-07-07T16:34:00.005-03:00

In winter - believe me - pink blossoms are all around! Here an Ipê Rosa (Tabebuia pentaphylla) smiles from ear to ear, head to toe, at everyone who's ready to see.

See more here.

Live better, pay less – an architectural overhaul.

2010-07-05T16:50:00.024-03:00

Last year, I wrote about Casa Cor ®, an architecture-décor-and-landscaping yearly exhibition. It’s hard to avoid the comparison, but Morar Mais po menos ® (roughly ‘Living Better for less’) is another architectural exhibition born out of the need to combine state-of-the-art decoration and architecture with an affordable budget. (Many visitors to Casa Cor kept complaining that the plans proposed at that exhibition were upscale and far-fetched, meant only for the super rich.)

Besides “affordability”, Morar Mais por menos ® also revolves around five “sub-concepts” which are sustainability, social inclusion, Brazilianity (what is intrinsic to Brazilian culture), technological innovation and sales – it’s worth mentioning that the items on exhibition are all up for sale.

This year’s edition will be staged at this jewel of local architecture: the old building that used to house the Hilda Brandão Maternity Hospital, originally inaugurated in 1916 and built in French neo gothic style to resemble the Knights of Malta’s Hotel de Dien, one of the first hospitals to be known of, dating back to 1443, in France. I am glad that one more historical building will be revamped and I am looking forward to the result.

Façade (Photo by Joana Gontijo/Portal Uai/D.A.Press)

Morar Mais is held in the capital cities of nine different Brazilian states. Belo Horizonte’s 2010 edition will run from August 18 to October 3, later this year and I plan on covering the event for you, dear blog readers. Meanwhile, here are some photos of the Hilda Brandão building in its current state.

I also asked three young architects to let me feature their Morar Mais plans and developments here and, later, the final result.

Architects Ana Cláudia Verleun, Laura Serafini and Dinah Verleun, whose work you shouldn't miss.

I would specially like to thank and send my regards here to Josette Condurú Davis, Morar Mais General Coordinator, who kindly provided me with some of the information and images in this post and who is always willing to sweetly and efficiently brief all the press bunch, including bloggers like me.

Below some of the folks who showed up at the Morar Mais launching breakfast, a few weeks ago. (Photos by Henrique Falci.)

Werner Rohlfs and Josette Davis, Morar Mais General Coordinator.

Monica Salles, Moema Carneiro and Fabiano de Paula.

Maria Alice Miranda,Dante Lapertos and Marisa Almeida.

Ligia Schubach, Claudia Chou and Riller Freitas.

Camila Bastos, André Filizzola Drummond and Andréa Victor.

Ana Karina Chaves and Klazina Norden.

Vivian Scarano and Ana Bahia.

Tiago Nogueira, Vanessa Ferreira and Janaina Veiga.

Rigléia Carvalho, Adriana Borgatti and Lara Noronha.

Paulo Pontes, Matthijs Vanloon and Marcelo Aramuni.

Sandro Schubach, Saulo Coelho, Josette Davis and Ligia Schubach.

Jason Mraz's duet with mineiro virtuoso singer

2010-06-24T20:49:00.003-03:00

Jason Mraz meets Milton Nascimento.

Check out Milton Nascimento's official webpage here.

Snow in tropical Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais?

2010-06-14T19:10:00.008-03:00

Most natives from tropical Brazil are fascinated with snow, most precisely because it never snows here. Well, never say never. In Southern Brazil a little snow will always fall in scarce spots usually between June and August, during the southern hemisphere autumn-winter. And as the temperatures go down, tourists will flock to the south and wait – and hope – until the white flakes descend – for the few lucky ones who are in the right place at the right time.

However the more north you go – or live – in the country, the more snow means “gold”. That’s why it’s worth mentioning the spotting of snow in Serra da Mantiqueira, a mountain range at the intersection of the states of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and São Paulo. In the Itatiaia National Park, the oldest ( = first) national park in Brazil, about 93 miles / 158 km east of Rio, some brave hikers have been able to see and enjoy white fields covered with either frost or snow, without having to travel abroad.

The inspiration for the post came from this cold wave which hadn’t hit Minas Gerais for decades, bringing the temperature down close to 0 C / 32 F. Because our houses are not insulated, I myself started using my hair drier to warm up my bed.

Check out more pictures of Serra da Mantiqueira here and its being hit by snow and frost here.

(All photos published here were taken from the skyscrapercity pages mentioned above.)

The BH-Garden-City Project

2010-06-11T21:32:00.004-03:00

Not long ago, Belo Horizonte used to be dubbed The Garden City. Many people from all over the state and other parts of the country who were recovering from respiratory diseases would come to Belo and stay for a while to profit from the highland’s mild climate and clean air purified by the abundant surrounding vegetation.

Well, that’s history now. But some brave citizens, under the coordination of cultural manager Julio Toledo’s, are trying to bring back that paradise-like atmosphere.

“It’s remarkable to know that nowadays 80% of Brazilians live in cities.

The city is where people most diversely experience citizenship and urbanity.

Belo Horizonte is a relatively young city which heads towards the future many times disqualifying and invalidating experiences which symbolically nurture its community in the name of a fetishism for modernity and an obsession with novelty.

At times of “shortness of time” and hurry-induced anguish, we lose the habit of walking around, sightseeing and discovering our city.

BH Cidade Jardim (BH Garden City) aims at bringing the city and its citizens together through activities, interventions and partnerships involving art, photography, architecture, history and the environment.

By encouraging people to look more attentively at the city around them, this project will stimulate the responsible use and preservation of the city’s public space as well as promote active citizen involvement with urban issues."

(Excerpt from their page, translated freely.)

To get to know more about this project, check out the official webpage. You can also order postcards, like those sampled here, which will help the initiative.

See more postcards here.

Dolls rise to life and give off fun (for free)!

2010-06-09T23:59:00.002-03:00

Belo's International Puppet Festival starts this Thursday with shows by groups from different countries in private theaters as well as free performances in important squares around town. Check the program here.

French Cinema (and actors) in town

2010-06-04T15:40:00.004-03:00

Le Petit Nicolas

The Varilux Festival of French Movies is under way at Usiminas Belas Artes. Some of the actors taking part in the movies will show up to chat with the audience.

The biggest swimming pool in the world?!

2010-05-29T12:55:00.003-03:00

The Crystal Lagoons webpage features a megapool plan meant to be developed in the Lagoa dos Ingleses region - 25 km south of Belo - by Inpar Construction Company. The swimming pool will have 100 thousand square meters and, thus, will be the largest in the world, right behind Chile’s Algarrobo pool in the San Alfono del Mar resort.

Recently on Belo:

2010-05-28T17:22:00.005-03:00

The Sion District, Belo Horizonte - Caipirinha chocolates and toast coasters in our guide to Brazil's hidden city.
By Cool Hunting.

Degryse Chocolates, in the Sion neighborhood.

Madonna’s Light to shine upon us, sort of.

2010-05-27T22:32:00.006-03:00

So, Madonna once sprouted blond and bright – with splendor groomed by her own will and work – and sang and danced, riding waves across the globe to touch people and hearts, well and alienate a few ones fromthe bitter bunch, too. Has she touched you? Me, for sure.

And then she comes in person to the tropical 'Braziland' and, with Fortuna's blessing and the touch of Midas, shines her light upon this kid, Jesus, lighting up his Luz, propelling him high into the sky full of stars.

Here he comes into town, to share his music, a little bit of HER light, in his turn.

So, my Donna, will you shine more of your light on me, indirectly?

Dj Jesus Luz (RJ) along with Felguk (RJ), Thomas Gold (Alemanha), Nedu Lopes (BH), Vj 1mpar (BH); Ipanema Music Festival; July 16, 2010, 11 pm, at Mix Garden, Rua Projetada, 65, Jardim Canadá, Belo Horizonte.

Tickets from R$ 40.00 to R$ 230.00. Online tickets: www.webconvite.com.br

On the streets of Belo...

2010-05-26T22:23:00.003-03:00

Graffiti on São Paulo Street, downtown Belo.

Minas Trend Preview Spring/Summer 2011 Roundup – Part II

2010-05-18T23:18:00.014-03:00

Because I am not a reliable one to comment on fashion design, I will give this second post about the MTP a different approach. How about “copying-and-pasting” and some attempt at prose-poem brainstorming on top of what I liked? So, here you have it:

Vivaz

“Dreams in black and white, in subtle hues, once put into a drawer, in time forgotten…dreams almost come true, super colorful; those we go back to sleep to try and dream again… dreams sweetened with delicious sweets we avoid eating…dreams that awaken us lazily as the warm summer breeze flows in through the window and the light peeks in through the curtains….”

(adapted from their release note)

Victor Dzenk

"Play some sexy seventies black music
And twist it, over time and space,
All the way to the Savanna landscape,
by the lovely sway of the African Sunset.
But, well, you are not to forget
Yves Saint Laurent’s safari set!"

Luc

Photos by GusLuz and Paulo Fernando

Patricia Motta

Forest diversity versus Minimalist shaping.

Claudia Mourão

Watch out for those...shoes!

Ricardo Almeida

I didn't grasp the ovation in the end. Well, the male models were so sure of their sexiness that they never smiled. "What has that/love got to do with this?!"

Backstage, everything is possible, even a smile.

Rogério Lima

This short ‘para-descriptive’ task kind of drained me out. But not enough to prevent me from mentioning Rogério Lima’s beautiful and ingenious bags made out of cement sacks, quite eco-friendly!

And last but not least, well, the beautiful rest.

Model wears creation by Alessa.

Model wears creation by Faven.

Model wears creation by Iódice.

Top Talita Pugliese brings her power back to the catwalk.

Remember Raica?

One of my all-time favorites, Ana Claudia Michels, for Patachou.

More on Minas Trend Preview:
Minas Trend Preview Spring/Summer 2011 Roundup – Part I
Official Webpage
Youtube

On the streets of Belo...

2010-05-13T23:05:00.008-03:00

Children hug mineiro writer and poet Henriqueta Lisboa (1901-1985) bronze statue at Praça Diogo de Vasconcelos, at Savassi.

The spring of the Beauty

2010-05-09T18:38:00.004-03:00

20-year-old Miss Minas Gerais Débora Moura Lyra, a journalism undergraduate living in Divinópolis has been crowned Miss Brasil 2010. Ms Lyra is gorgeous and very determined. A few weeks ago she was featured in Estado de Minas newspaper as saying “Nowadays, the jury members consider more than just beauty. Personality is fundamental. I will show who I really am: with a smile on my face, cheerful and communicative.”

What is surprising though is that Debora Lyra was not born in Minas Gerais. She comes originally from Espírito Santo, a coastal state north of Rio de Janeiro. But she felt so warmly welcome in Minas that she decided to enter the state beauty pageant. After winning it last October she devoted herself to the national competition, which included going for a 3-month-stay in the US to brush up on her English, something she considers essential for her next step: the Miss Universe pageant.

Miss Brazil 2010, Débora Lyra, and the current Miss Universe, Stefania Fernández, from Venezuela.

Approaching - Ignorance!

2010-05-07T20:32:00.003-03:00

"When I put this image on the streets, I try to bring homelessness into discussion. (…) A homeless person sleeping on the street becomes something natural. But when we see a poster representing that, then we think, “Oh boy! There is an image of something that I couldn’t even notice anymore.”

Guga Ferraz
No title, 2006
Serigraphic printing on MDF 35cm x 167 cm

Ehxibiton “Uma Gentil Invenção” (A Gentle Invention), thru May 30 in Arlinda Corrêa Lima gallery at Palácio das Artes. Free Admission.

This Thursday, the Objects are back!

2010-05-06T09:09:00.005-03:00

The second edition of FITO (International Festival of Object Theater) starts today and runs thru Sunday, May 9. Admission free. Check FITO's official webpage here.

Approaching - "Incomplete Landscape"

2010-05-04T22:13:00.007-03:00

"Trilha Sonora", 2001
by José Damasceno,
Iron and Wood Hammers, Inhotim Collection, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

From "Paisagem Incompleta" - Exhibition in Palácio das Artes thru May 23.

Image: Grão Fotografia

Minas Trend Preview Spring/Summer 2011 Roundup – Part I

2010-05-03T16:37:00.016-03:00

So on Thursday afternoon I drove the 25 kilometers from Belo Horizonte to Alphaville, an upscale condo south of the city, while Tori Amos whispered bitter-sweetly out of my car stereo but, well, there was a fashion event at the end of the road and I ridiculously felt like the headstone of the corner.

However, upon arrival, with friendly welcomes and a most agreeable setting, I swiftly relaxed into a state of “a beloved journalist”, the case being that I am not a journalist; beloved, well, maybe by family and close friends.

MTP facilities and amenities

Although Belo is no Paris and Minas Trend Preview is no Sao Paulo Fashion Wee k, I was taken aback by how elegant and organized the whole setting for the event was (except that, because of my poor connections, I had to wait in a long and lengthy line to attend each fashion show), and full of amenities (with air-conditioning and all). The press room was abundant with PC’s and Internet terminals and the free-food-and-drink counter was replenished every ten minutes or so it seemed (Hungry press or good service?).

Press Room

The Minas Trend Preview event is put on by FIEMG, the powerful industry federation in Brazil's third richest state. Their goal is to give a big boost to the local Fashion and Clothing Industry which is already, let’s say, quite huge.

Exhibitors' stands

I wouldn’t risk commenting on fashion. I mean, I suck at it, but I am not afraid of telling you what I liked. Anyway, I was happy to see that Brazil’s Great Lady of Fashion was around. Gloria Kalil, for your understanding, is somewhat of a local Anna Wintour, except that she is really charming, I mean, friendly, cool and accessible. Well, I tried to ask her what MTP meant for the Brazilian and maybe the world fashion, but her agent suggested that I stalked - in front of her VIP stand – and ran after her when and if she left for a fashion show. (In that moment, I quietly sympathized with all brave journalists and thought of giving up being a blogger and instead going to a bar in Savassi and drink beer in the company of friends.)

But, the Internet being my generous lover, here’s what I got from CHIC, Kalil’s webpage, a lighthouse for the style-and-fashion-conscious bunch in Brazil.

“Hello, chic ones! A day full of shows in Minas Trend Preview. Many Brazilian buyers and a few international ones at the Business Center and some foreign journalists peeking and working. We saw some shows by specific designers as well as preview shows with pieces by different designers. It’s more difficult to detect trends in the latter and, thus, even tougher to identify a personality behind them. I wonder if it is a good idea for the customers or the press.
We crowned the day with a cocktail in our lounge to welcome our friends from Minas Gerais. It was a very agreeable and amiable gathering. Tomorrow is the last day of the event. Let’s see if we can detect and make up a list of fashion directions proposed by the event for the next spring. Kisses. Gloria Kalil.”

Glória Kalil

Kalil's lounge

Vogue Lounge

L'Officiel Lounge

Luckily, I had the pleasure to talk in person with Dudu Bertholini, the bold and creative designer of Neon, a lad who emanates a lively, friendly and strong presence. He reminded me that Minas Gerais has a sound tradition in fashion dating back to the 80’s and that mineiros love fashion, so the event will bring in media attention to what has already been happening for some time. That’s why he is hopeful that fashion will become more popular and successful not only here but all over Brazil!

Dudu Bertholini

In one of my coffee breaks, I talked to two journalists from overseas, London-based Claire Dickinson, for WGSN and Jamime, from France, who were flown in by ABIT to try and capture the fashion scenario in Brazil’s third biggest city. Claire was interested to see what MTP had to show though she was not familiar with ‘Brazilian Fashion as shown by Rio and Sao Paulo fashion weeks’. Jamime deemed what she had seen until that point as very different from the usual spring-summer shows in Europe, but Brazilian culture struck her as friendly and mixed and the focus put on fashion might end up into something interesting.

Claire and Jamima

There were also many enthusiastic local fashion undergraduates attending the shows. I talked to 18-year-old Priscila who was very excited to have “this major experience” in such a big event involving “a certain glamour” and, of course, fashion design, an activity she has pursued since she was a child and a dream come true with the support of her family. One of the reasons her 17-year-old colleague Paula got into Fashion School was her family’s owning a clothing factory and she was deeply serious about it, even complaining that organizers should make it easier for fashion students to take part in the event.

Fashion undergraduates Priscila and Paula

As for the celebrities who are usually attracted to the honeyed spotlights of fashion shows, well, there were a few top models, soccer players(!), national TV stars and local socialites. But there is one really worth of mentioning here: a lovely young woman who, as usual, was sweet and kind to pose especially for this blog. Natália Guimaraes, former Miss Brazil (2007), won hearts all over the country, including Minas Gerais ex-governor Aécio Neves and KLB singer Leandro and then, went on to become an actress and is currently hosting Hoje em Dia, a national TV show, directly from Belo Horizonte. This cutie is such an unforgettable Miss!

Natália Guimarães, specially for Belo 4 All.

More, later.

Food – and tolerance – put to the test.

2010-05-01T21:44:00.011-03:00

Comida di buteco, which started out in Belo Horizonte back in 2000, has grown to such success that it has already spread to 11 major cities in Brazil. In Belo only, the 40 bars participating in last year’s edition attracted over 800.000 customers.

So, it’s here again, this time featuring jiló (scarlet eggplant) as an imperative ingredient in the dish contending for the public’s palate approval and prize. Bar-goers fill up a ballot where they rank both the dish – under flavor/taste, recipe creativity and appearance – and the so-called “buteco” – under beverage temperature (Brazilians love “crackingly-iced” beer, as they say), hygiene and service.

Nowadays, there are bus and shuttle services which will take groups to different bars on a given night, so they won’t have to worry about the “drinking-and-driving” law. But being patient is a required virtue during the Comida di buteco festival because only the early birds (I mean morning-time goers) are free from having to put up with long waiting lists before they are seated. As a matter of fact, many “botequeiros” – throughout-the-year regulars – who can’t tolerate the cheerful crowds give up their favorite botecos until the festival ends.

Talking of tolerance, this year, for the first time, a bar which is generally taken as a GLS house – meaning that the vast majority of its clientele is made up of gays, lesbians and sympathizers – is taking part in the competition. Estúdio da Carne (The Meat/Steak Studio) is running with “Jilogrette da Vovó para curar torresmo bêbado” (roughly "Grandma’s Jilo-grette to heal a drunk cracking"). It’s nice to see the mingling of the carefree, progressive bunch with crowds of other “happy people”, sometimes blatantly curious or slightly uncomfortable, who otherwise would never get close to such a place, given the Brazilian old-fashioned, insistent and culturally incoherent prejudice against gays and lesbians or the mineiro “bad-company-corrupts-good-character” judgmental sense. On the other hand, some regulars will jokingly badmouth the rookies, “Comida di buteco is a good excuse for the closet-cases to show up here.” You see, tolerance is needed both ways.

"Jilogrette da Vovó para curar torresmo bêbado"

The festival closes with A Saideira (One for the Road), a two-day bash with concerts by Mart'nália, Zeca Baleiro and Roberta Sá on May 15 and 16 at CEU Pampulha. Tickets at R$ 60.00 already available. More info (in Portuguese) in the event official webpage.

“Paleta em Ninho de Pelotas”

P.S. This afternoon I went to Estabelecimento with my friend Cris and we had “Paleta em Ninho de Pelotas”. It’s boiled beef in a wine sauce with onions and tomato pulp. On the side, rice rolls, filled with Canastra cheese, oregano, pepper, spinach and jiló. Scrumptious! To drink, we had Bohemia, this great beer originally from imperial Petrópolis.

At Estabelecimento, either the food or the setting will knock you off your feet!

Update (May 7):

French band Nouvelle Vague visited both Estabelecimento and Estúdio da Carne this week.

Dispatches from Minas Trend Preview, Spring/Summer 2011

2010-04-30T15:06:00.006-03:00

Ronaldo Fraga

Rogério Lima

Ninfa de Gaia

Ninfa de Gaia

Chicletes com Guaraná

Yet another Fashion Capital is born!

2010-04-28T13:35:00.011-03:00

The 6th edition of Minas Trend Preview has started today and goes on through Saturday, May 1st. Mineiro designer Ronaldo Fraga, the event curator, chose “Water, a new luxury of our times” as the theme for this edition which features 166 exhibitors – displaying clothes, shoes, jewelry and other accessories – and is expected to promote business transactions worth R$ 500 million.

Collections from Brazilian household names such as Iodice and Cavalera will hit the runaway as well as pieces by local designers and others from around the country. Among the special media guests this time are Elle France, WGSN, RTVE and Fashion Mag.

Minas Gerais State is the third largest fashion industry hub in the country and a major clothing exporter. Well, apart from the mineiro pervasive fashion-consciousness, that only explains the MTP endeavor.

More info on the Minas Trend Preview official site.

Via EM.

The world will run in Belo!

2010-04-23T20:40:00.007-03:00

Belo Horizonte’s first half-marathon will take place on August 08, 2010 definitively propelling Belo into the International Athletic Circuit to join cities like Boston, Chicago, London, Paris, Rome and Rio de Janeiro. The run will have as the backdrop of its setting the beautiful Pampulha lake, parks and modernist architectural complex.

The competition has been certified by AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races ), IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations), CBAt (Confederação Brasileira de Atletismo) and FMA(Federação Mineira de Atletismo).

Registration is already open and fees gradually increase as the date approaches. R$ 50.00 thru April 30, R$ 60.00 in May and R$ 70.00 from June on. More info about categories and registration on the Meia Maratona Internacional de Belo Horizonte official site.

So, world runners and globetrotters, a R$ 30,000.00 stake and a taste of Belo are both up for grabs!

Zooming over traffic jams

2010-04-19T18:43:00.004-03:00

UEMG - Minas Gerais State University's students Rafael Osmar de Oliveira e Costa and Elisa Sayuri Freitas Irokawa get the iF concept award 2010 on industrial design for this Overhead Public Transportation System conceived for the streets of Belo.

Via EM.

Read more on www.ifdesign.de.

Everybody is coming to town...

2010-04-13T12:55:00.008-03:00

Sexy-Cool Placebo to sizzle BH's strangely chilly autumn this Friday, April 16th.

And then... once a Mutantes member, singer Rita Lee brings her irreverence to Minas on April 17.

Charming Vanessa da Mata to knock belo horizontinos off their feet on April 20.

Finally, soothing Simply Red is coming for the first and last time - to say goodbye as a band, on April 21st.

All concerts at Chevrolet Hall.

Girls' Club

2010-04-10T13:58:00.006-03:00

Female runners will take Savassi by storm this Sunday 11 - tomorrow morning. It’s time for the Track&Field Run Series Feminina Shopping Pátio Savassi . So, if you're with the right girls, run. Otherwise, come an cheer them on.

Ancient creatures in a jungle, a few steps away.

2010-04-09T17:43:00.006-03:00

UFMG’s Museum of Natural History and Botanic Gardens comprise this ‘lost’ treasure in the middle of a big metropolis. Few people visit these 600.000 square meters of lush greenery with fresh air from the east – it is said that winds blow primarily from the east in Belo, so pollution is caught up later, downtown, and pushed towards the industrial districts. Besides, you will find other attractions such as mineralogy and archaelogy/anthropology museums, an exhibition on bats, cultural workshops and the stupendous PRESÉPIO DO PIPIRIPAU – an intricate nativity scene created over many years by a passionate local artisan – which I’ll be featuring here later.

A giant sloth fossil...

...and make-believe beasts turned into cuties by mother(right) and friends.

Museu de História Natural e Jardim Botânico da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, open Tuesday thru Friday, from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 16:00; Saturday and Sunday, from 10:00 to 17:00 Address: Gate 1 - Rua Gustavo da Silveira, 1035, Santa Inês, Belo Horizonte, MG. Check buses on official site.

Who's in town tonight?

2010-04-08T18:03:00.004-03:00

Dionne Warwick and son David Elliott; 9 pm at Palácio das Arte s, 55 31 3236 7400.

Obsession?

2010-04-05T22:42:00.007-03:00

I insist on the forms and shapes of Niemeyer’s ubiquitous architecture. Here, once again, the so-called Cidade Administrativa, recently inaugurated.

Fotos by Lucio Antunes (using a mobile phone camera)

Postcards from the Respite

2010-03-29T22:28:00.004-03:00

Thru my window...

My dear readers,

I am sorry to have left you here with so few posts about my beautiful Belo. There is something though that is keeping me away from here. And let me share it with you: I have just moved into my own little place and everything is so novel and charming that I simply can’t resist. The furniture is sparse, but I have flowers and wine. I have been spending quiet and delicious hours listening to music, reading or simply lying on this soft mattress and looking out at the sky through the windows. I have been lucky – and diligent, too, because I looked and looked and looked…– to find this place. The light is divine, the views are Olympic, the sky is heavenly blue, the clouds fluffy and playful and the sun and the moon dance for me. I’m in love, but truly, I also miss you.

I’ll be back though.

Best,

Lúcio

Who's coming to town?

2010-03-26T19:37:00.004-03:00

Mickey & Co, on a Disney Parade. Tomorrow, March 27, at 4 pm, on Avenida Otacílio Negrão by the Pampulha Lake. Free!

Who's coming to town?

2010-03-19T17:15:00.003-03:00

Ana Carolina – with her powerful voice – is celebrating her 10-year-old career by putting on “N9ve”, a concert based on her latest album, with stage setting by Bia Lessa and directed by Alê Siqueira.

This Saturday, March 20 at Chevrolet Hall. R$ 80.00.

Vicarious Art Trip Delight

2010-03-10T23:23:00.010-03:00

Here I give you a taste of João Maciel’s work.

"João Maciel draws ORT in the house that is being destroyed (text without bibliography)

It seems that there are two kinds of artists.
The first, a modern creation, is a scientist artist, very intelligent, who works in an interesting way with objects or with something he likes. The ideas are more interesting than the work of art itself.
The second, a historic painter, my favorite, is someone who draws all the time leaving traces of some constructed things without any sense or any shame.
The sense is not really important nor to convince or to explain, but to draw and draw again.
In this sense, the work if art is not a vehicle for some intellectual and intentional bright, but a physical proof of one more day of life.
João Maciel is something like that.
He doesn’t use painting to help us understand how things are. He uses the pen while he breathes, a vice. His world is reflected in his works of art. Friend of the graffiti, he is one of those people who doesn’t see a wall but a surface that can be drawn upon. The contemporary street appears in his paintings, drawings and assemblages.
Notebooks, cartoons, labels, India and prosthesis, colors, scrap and garbage, poetry, sex, mantric music, electronic music, rejection, marginality, urbanity, zen desire, hope, materiality and youth are here in this gallery in the drawings of a young author.
He can be considered an author because João Maciel persists in doing things on his own way, using his colors, his materials and procedures.
Drawing is for people who draw."

André Burian, April, 2008.

(Translated by Marilia Nogueira Carvalho)

Apart from this, you can see his work at www.belizariogaleria.com or at www.flickr.com/photos/mu108 or www.rojo-magazine.com/mon.

Also, an exhibition featuring some of his pieces along with some other artists’ will hit São Paulo, starting this Friday, March 12, at the 1º Salão dos Artistas Sem Galeria (‘First Salon of Galeryless Artists’). Check invitation and addresses below.

Wanna travel a little bit more?

Guns N' Roses also around

2010-03-08T13:31:00.003-03:00

Guns N' Roses; This March 10, at Mineirinho; Avenida Antônio Abrahão Caram, 1000, Pampulha. Further info: 0300 789 6846 Tickets: Bleachers - R$ 160

Who's coming to town?

2010-03-04T09:22:00.006-03:00

UPDATE: Well, not anymore. They have canceled their Brazilian Tour.

This March, Gossip is not only going to be the talk of town but also the real soft funky punk tasty dance music ground.

"in my bethroom!", photo and stencil by numamonsi
http://www.flickr.com/photos/numamonsi/

Gossip, the band, on March 17, at Roxy. Rua Antônio de Albuquerque, 729, Savassi. R$ 60.00 Tickets available at Chilli Beans in Pátio Savassi Mall.

Lu is Alone. Will you join her?

2010-03-02T17:00:00.009-03:00

16-year-old mineiro singer Lu Alone - short for Luciana Alone Pereira - sets out on her musical career after signing with Som Livre.

Via O Tempo.

Time to move on

2010-02-27T13:28:00.007-03:00

The new Minas Gerais State Administrative City is set to open this Thursday.

See some photos here.

Via IG.

Learn Brazilian Portuguese...

2010-02-11T17:52:00.004-02:00

...with The Guardian.

Carnival Warm-up

2010-02-09T22:52:00.009-02:00

Belo Horizonte doesn’t have a tradition of big Carnival parades or trio elétrico processions. In fact, back in 2004, a CNT/Sensus poll showed that only 41% of Brazilians liked Carnival. Even more surprising, only a small bunch – consisting of 15% of the country’s population – said they will always go out onto the streets and dance to ‘Carnaval’ tunes. So, it’s easy to understand why the map of big carnival parties is so sparsely dotted. But, don’t be fooled. Everywhere in Brazil, from the smallest village to the Sao Paulo megalopolis, you will always find many venues – private and public – where the ‘folião’ bunch will get together and shake their skeletons to the percussionists’ rhythms, be it samba, axé or old carnival marches.

So, a week before Carnival – a holiday when most of the frolicking flock will flap their wings away to places like Rio, Salvador or neighboring towns such as Ouro Preto and Diamantina – Belo Horizontinos gather in “Blocos” and go dancing around the city. Famous 'blocos' include Santo Bando (Holy Band) and Banda Mole (Soft Band), the latter with a tendency to lure parodical “once-a-year” crossdressed men.

Holy speaker!

And punks at Santo Bando's.

Banda Mole, downtown.

Last Saturday I myself – who love the folia – joined the 7th edition of Santo Bando in the Santo Antonio neighborhood, where a group of friends once formed a bloc and started inviting other people to play and dance along. In a country where people are always starving for jolly public celebrations, the bunch soon became a crowd - over 1,000 people. This year, the main guests were mineiro band “Mestre Samba” (Master Samba) who usually plays songs by Brazil’s great samba musicians. Between their opening and closing gigs, the Santo Bando's Battery (drum orchestra) paraded through the neighborhood streets followed along by enthusiastic ‘foliões’ (roughly ‘folly-ans’).

On the streets of Belo...

2010-02-08T17:22:00.008-02:00

Tatiana Fiche wandering around the Lourdes neighborhood...

...spots a cow parade piece,

...and the joke...

"Get thin ASAP. Ask me how-moooo"
(Well, got lost in translation here).

What the heck?! How about delicious ice-cream at Alessa?

...then strolling a little more...

...and resting under the tree.

Blowing my non-fashion mind!

2010-02-05T21:54:00.006-02:00

Belo Horizonte’s inventive fashion designer Ronaldo Fraga does Sao Paulo Fashion Week once again and then goes around the world.

www.nypost.com
www.ameliasmagazine.com
www.trendhunter.com

Read a little more about fashion in Minas. Here.

If the sun is shining, how about climbing?

2010-02-03T20:35:00.003-02:00

If you enjoy climbing mountains or hiking to a high peak you will really like Serra do Curral (Corral Mountain), near the Mangabeira’s neighborhood. There, you can also try rock climbing for which you’ll need to be both physically prepared and accompanied by a professional guide. But, hiking up to the top of the mountain will provide enough pleasure. I did that with my friends. It was a sunny and hot day and the walk was very hard, so needed a lot of water. The ground was slippery and covered with irregular rocks, so I fell down a few times and got all smudged by the red dirt. My peers didn’t fall like me, well, because they usually go up this beautiful mountain.

When you finally reach the top, you have a great view. At one side you overlook the vast city of Belo Horizonte and at the other side you can see a “lake”, formed in a crater which was left by a deactivated mining company. The lake water has an interesting beautiful blue hue and no smell. It’s a placid artificial “lake” hiding what once consisted of serious depletion of Belo’s beautiful nature.

The descent was hard too. But as we say in Brazil, “pra descer todo santo ajuda” (roughly “if are you descending, every saint will easily help”), we came down faster than we climbed up. In the end, we arrived at Parque das Mangabeiras, a lovely park, where we cleaned our hands, drank cool water and rested under the shady trees for some time.

So, that’s what I recommend doing in Belo on a sunny day if you are looking for some adventure and a sublime view.

Text and images by Marina Fonseca Medeiros

Medicine Undergraduate

Psychedelic Tower

2010-02-02T12:41:00.004-02:00

They have recently added colorful lights to the Alta Vila Tower.

Nostalgic for a sandwich?

2010-01-28T21:59:00.011-02:00

One of the best things about living in Brazil is that it is still possible and quite easy and cheap to have a balanced meal at lunch or dinner time in a big city like Belo. “Self-service” restaurants or “comida a quilo” (food-by-kilo) - as they are usually referred to - can be found anywhere close to your workplace or home. However, if you feel like eating a nice hamburger or another scrumptious sandwich, then you’ll be in trouble in most of the neighborhoods, mainly if you are not willing to sidetrack from your “healthy’ diet and dread those street trailer-shop ‘can-I-trust-this-mayo?’ ‘greasewiches’. That’s why I felt exhilarated when I came across Burgueria Original.

Here, a Japanese touch to an American classic.

In spite of not being the first of its kind in Belo, Burgueria is still quite Original. With art-deco style decoration based on an authentic American diner, complete with an old-time fridge and a rockabilly-boosted 169-tune jukebox, this recently-opened restaurant serves up to 180 customers with a variety of sandwiches, wraps and desserts made from exclusive recipes and ingredients. Burgers are home-made rather than industrialized, the bread is custom-made out of a household recipe and the special barbecue and garlic dressings are prepared at the restaurant.

Owners Ricardo Ferreira and César Brescia dived deep into 1950’s memorabilia, including movies and songs. Ferreira had special grooming in São Paulo both on restaurant management and hamburger restaurantery. In Belo, they commissioned Haus München chef Adriano Santos to develop an exclusive recipe for their 150-gram hamburger which includes beef, Calabria sausage (for the smoked touch) and pork ham (for the binding). They wanted something surprisingly beautiful and tasty. But you can also have the burger replaced with “picanha”, roast beef, baby beef, filet mignon, baked sausage, raw ham, or grilled salmon. From the extensive menu you can pick wraps, hot dogs, salads and mini-sandwiches as well. The choice of drinks will range from Itubaína, a tutti-frutti flavored soda, to draft beer, to Devassa and Eisenbahn beer. And there are the proper to-go-with desserts such as brownies, Petit Gâteau and an assortmentof ice-cream.

Go for the burgers or the atmosphere...

...or the beer, if you prefer.

Recognized from the façade.

Burgueria Original is located at the Ouro Preto neighborhood in the northern Pampulha Region, at 212 on stylish Avenida Fleming, which I will be talking about here later. Open Mon thru Thu from 16:00 to midnight; Fri thru Sun, from 13:00 to midnight. 55 31 3498 1188.

Also via EM.

A family is a family!

2010-01-26T19:24:00.005-02:00

Families and animals mingling together at Parque das Mangabeiras last Sunday. But, being the cute things so irresistible, who will draw the line?

Watch the nosy mammals in action. Where is the sign "Do not feed the coatis! Or touch them!"?

Tiradentes Cinema Festival at Full Throttle

2010-01-25T18:25:00.005-02:00

Tiradentes' Maria Fumaça (roughly "Smoky Maria", a Brazilian pop term for a steam locomotive)

The 13th edition of the Mostra de Cinema de Tiradentes runs thru this January 30. More info here.

Photos of the cinema-lover crowd there last weekend, here.

Inland Belo’s after-doomsday beach?

2010-01-25T16:23:00.001-02:00

Not really. Young protesters demonstrating against the mayor’s decision to prohibit public events, such as concerts and fairs, at Praça da Estação’s boulevard.

Photos by Paula Meireles

Via Ragga Drops, where you can see more photos.

Stupakoffian Lenses

2010-01-22T20:52:00.007-02:00

By contributor Natália Boaventura

Stupakoff’s photos are an invitation to beauty. In every click, a new emotion. Each gesture, each detail, each moment is unique. São Paulo-born photographer Otto Stupakoff, the first Brazilian fashion photographer, portrayed quite simple scenes in out-of-the-ordinary ways.

In addition to fashion editorials, Otto gained prominence by photographing celebrities, whose images were published in international magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Life and Marie Claire. After passing away on April 23, 2009, Otto has been greatly missed, but his work will keep him alive in the memory of people from around the world.

Anne, Rio de Janeiro RJ, 1979

Some of the artist's works are currently in exhibition at Belo Horizonte's Center for Contemporary Art and Photography and marks its inauguration, which occurred last January 13. The Center results from a partnership between Minas Gerais State Department of Culture and the Moreira Salles Institute to celebrate the Clovis Salgado Foundation's 40th anniversary. Focusing especially on fashion, women and celebrities’ portraits, the exhibition comprises 70 images laid out on two floors and brings places like Paris and Germany closer to us, with very good taste and a dash of glamour. Moreover, it shows another side of Brazil, equally beautiful and intriguing.

Manaus, Manaus AM, 1978

The exhibition runs through March 21 and admission is free. For those of you who want to check it out, the Center is located at 737 Avenida Afonso Pena, downtown Belo. Open Tuesday thru Sunday, from 12:00 to 19:00; except on Thursdays, when it is open between 12:00 and 21:00.

For further information, call 55 31 3226 7400.

Boulogne Gardens, Paris, n.d.

Medusa, NY, 1987

Gipsy girl, 1970

Writer Jorge Amado's granddaughter, Salvador BA, 1979

Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto MG, 1958

Heitor dos Prazeres, Rio de Janeiro RJ, 1956

See more on www.lilianpacce.com.br

What is the best way to go?

2010-01-21T12:12:00.005-02:00

Governor Aecio Neves has commissioned Spanish consulting firm Iberinsa-Spim to develop a feasibility study on the implementation of a public transportation system between the Vilarinho subway station in Northern Belo and Confins International Airport, be it a subway line extension, a light rail vehicle (LRV) or something else. (What would that be?). A trend has been noticed towards the LRVs, which are cheaper to implement and quite efficient. (Via Agencia Minas)

Salvador's LRV design for the 2014 World Cup.

Who’s coming to town?

2010-01-20T14:58:00.006-02:00

By contributor Ayala Melgaço

"Take on me, take me on. I'll be gone." Without a doubt, this is one of the most appropriate moments to sing this farewell chorus because the Norwegian band a-ha has announced their break-up by the end of this year.

Belo’s fans still have a chance to say goodbye to the band in their Farewell Tour 2010 concert at Chevrolet Hall on March 14th. Tickets are already available with prices ranging from R$ 70.00 to R$ 250.00.

Beware Ethanol… and Petrobras Gas

2010-01-19T16:04:00.006-02:00

Alcohol fuel prices have shot up meaning that flex-fuel car drivers have gone scrambling for gasoline. So, the already expensive U$ 1.40-a-liter (1 liter = 0.26 gallon) rate is searching for new sky heights. As a matter of fact, in some of Belo Horizonte’s gas stations you can’t find a single drop of gasoline! Will you do something about it, 'Saint Lula'?

Fuel Price Variation in Belo, by region.

Via O Tempo.

Countdown

2010-01-19T15:32:00.004-02:00

The new Administrative Center is about to be open.

A Taste of Not-So-Local Pop-Rock

2010-01-14T22:49:00.005-02:00

They released their first (independent) album in 2008 at a crowded Hard Rock Café, here in Belo. Building up their style on top of influences ranging from Michael Jackson to Queen, to Faith no More to Nirvana to Brazilian bands Nenhum de Nós and Biquini Cavadão, they have recently gotten to the top of the chart both as a band and with some of their songs: Porque eu and Vou te levar.

Johnny Klein, vocals; Ike Galhardo, guitar; Kiko Braga, bass & Vinícius Cabelo, drums.

More on www.dezoo.com.br or www.dezoo.palcomp3.com.br.

Still (,) waiting

2010-01-13T21:14:00.007-02:00

by Ana Casagrande

by Andreza Nazareth

by Clara Piquet

by Mariana Laterza

by Mario Rufino

by Miguel Gontijo

From "100 Mona Lisas..." More here.

Who's coming to town?

2010-01-13T12:05:00.003-02:00

Dutch DJ Tiësto, king of electronic dance music, bringing his ‘Kaleidoscope’ to town.

On Jan 15. More info here.

The Sweet Life of Monkeys

2010-01-12T21:17:00.009-02:00

If you dream of fresh air and green,
Quiet, coziness and a stream,
On the weekend or any sunny day,
Drive south a few scenic kilometers,
Sliding down the curvaceous mountains,
To the heart of an easy getaway.

Macacos (Monkeys) or São Sebastião das Águas Claras (San Sebastian of Clear Waters) is a semi-rural district in the nearby town of Nova Lima. It has a small downtown village revolving around an old historical chapel and hundreds of charming inns and restaurants scattered over its hilly and green landscape.

Because it is only about 25 kilometers (15 miles) from downtown Belo, it makes for a great lunch or dining spot, with bars and restaurants of all scales serving from local to international food.

On this post, I would like to specially refer you to La Dolce Vita, where I have been twice after the quiet atmosphere and authentic mineiro food (=homemade style cooking from Minas Gerais State). Try the “frango ao molho pardo” (chicken with blood sauce) or the “frango com quiabo” (chicken with okra). Their pineapple vodka cocktail - dubbed Caipifruta de Abacaxi - is superb too! They also have an inn – where I haven’t stayed, but the bungalows look comfortable and cozy.

Now, if you are in the mood for a bustling atmosphere full of hype and good-looking ones and want to be at the top overlooking the countryside, head to Mar Mineiro (Mineiro Sea). As we say in Brazil, “cada macaco no seu galho”(roughly ‘each monkey on its own branch’).

How to get there.

Ubiquitous Entertainment

2010-01-11T18:41:00.004-02:00

The 36th edition of the Theater and Dance Popularization Campaign started last week and runs through March 7. It is a great opportunity for mineiros and visitors alike to appreciate theater and dance performances for a more affordable price, only R$ 10.

In all, the public can attend 122 different shows: 78 theater productions for adults, 35 for children and 9 dance presentations in venues throughout the city. Shows will also be presented in Barreiro, a district in southwestern Belo Horizonte, and in the countryside towns of Juiz de Fora and Ipatinga.

“Mulheres em Crise”, one of the plays in the campaign.
Photo: Andréa Maia

According to Sinparc-MG, Minas Gerais’ Performing Arts Producers’ Union, 339 thousand tickets were sold during last year’s campaign. Greater success is expected this year. Tickets can be purchased over the internet (www.sinparc.com.br), at mobile stations (two cars going around the city) or at the following locations:

Mercado das Flores: Afonso Pena Avenue, at Rua da Bahia; Downtown; daily, 9am to 7pm.
Shopping Cidade; Goitacazes Floor; 910 Rio de Janeiro Street; Downtown; 55 31 3279 1200; Mon-Sat, 9am to 7pm; Sun, 12 to 6pm.
Shopping Patio Savassi; Floor L2; 6061 Contorno Avenue; Savassi; 55 31 4003 4172; Mon to Sat, 10am to 7pm; Sun, 12 to 7pm.

Check here for complete schedule.

Text and images by Ayala Melgaço

Public Relations and Journalism Graduate

The Art of Summer

2010-01-08T16:38:00.008-02:00

Far from guaranteeing results for artists or their public, the Verão Arte Contemporânea (Summer Contemporary Art) Festival aims at presenting intriguing pieces whose language represents novelty in local art. Coordinator Ione de Medeiros explains, “Our goal is to feed this kind of restlessness coming from those who live art the way we believe, through exploration and experimentation of languages.”

Throughout the year, the festival curators follow groups and attend shows – either via invitation or reference – in order to define the event program. Taking risks in art could be taken as one of the choice criteria. “It is good for the performer and even better for the spectator”, Medeiros says.

Get to know more here. (In Portuguese) or call 55 31 3227 7331

The festival runs thru February 10, but below you have this weekend’s program:

Cinema and Reality Showing
Centro Cultural UFMG, Av. Santos Dumont, 174, Centro, 55 31 3409 1079
Sat and Sun 17:30

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Teatro Oi Futuro Klauss Vianna, Av. Afonso Pena, 4.001, Mangabeiras, 55 31 3229 3131.
Sat 20:00

Nove Novos Destinos (Nine New Destinations/Fates)
Inhotim, Rua B, Centro, Brumadinho, 55 31 3571 6638.
Sun 9:30 thru 16:30

Stéphane Vigny Savoir-Forme
Museu Inimá de Paula, Rua da Bahia, 1.201, Centro, 55 31 3213 4320.
Sun 12:00 thru 19:00

Admission: R$ 12.00 (full fare)

Who's coming to town?

2010-01-04T22:51:00.005-02:00

“Salvation is free” and is sweetly coming to me;
And your dreams will "come true” as they will be here for you.

The Cranberries will be performing at Chevrolet Hall this January 31st. Tickets range from R$ 80.00 to R$ 200.00.