Is apparently what Naomi could not stop shouting as she joined the Ilê Aiyê group in Salvador yesterday. Glamurama reports that she participated in all the Carnival rituals, and was very emotional.
On Friday night, the model partied with designer Valentino in Rio. Visit RG Vogue for pictures.
Now where is my Naomi picture with a Made In Brazil sign?
The Daily News features a long article about Rio de Janeiro written by Jim Farber, perfect for those visiting the city for the first time.
Rumor has it that singer Ricky Martin will be spending Carnival in Salvador and Rio.
Actor Cauã Reymond escorted his gf home after rehearsals for Carnival in Rio.
Adriana Lima spent the weekend partying in Salvador.
While Paris was celebrating the new year in Vegas a week ago, her ex Stavros Niarchos was busy kissing strangers in Floripa.
Revista Lado A has finally uploaded pictures of NYE in Floripa. Check out the boys at the Sunrise Party, at Troy, and at E.Joy.
Rodrigo Santoro's performance in 300 was considered one of the worst of the year by Moviefone's online poll.
The first images of the spring Dior Homme campaign shot by Karl Lagerfeld with Brazilian Thomaz de Oliveira are unveiled.
Newcomer Gabriel Heckler will be skipping the shows in Brazil this season, and flying straight to Paris thanks to an exclusive booking for the Dior Homme show.
Chad White decides his hair should match his name.
View the show packages for the upcoming men's shows in Milan at Models.com.
Away from Brazilian stages for over 25 years, The Police packed Maracanã stadium in Rio with 74 thousand people for their only performance in the country last Saturday night. In spite of what I hear was a great performance, according to an online poll less than 40% were happy with the show. There were slow lines at the entrance of the stadium, and security was a problem: no metal detectors were turned on, and bags were not being checked.
The much talked about movie Tropa de Elite is set to make its international debut at the Berlin Film Festival in February, where it will be running for a Golden Bear. The last Brazilian movie to win the big prize was Central Station back in 1998.
Save the bartender, save the world: Lance Bass' ex Pedro Andrade has a new gig.
Rumor has it that Camila Alves is pregnant with Matthew McConaughey's baby.
The strike by the Writers Guild of America may result in a new season loaded with reality TV in the US. I am certainly not complaining, but I am already dying to know what happens on Heroes. Hopefully I will be able to watch it via Hulu next season.
Itacaré is the only Brazilian town which made it to the New York Times' list of 53 places to go in 2008.
Brazilian model Thomaz de Oliveira was hand-picked by Kris Van Assche as one of the new faces for the Dior Homme spring campaign. The new ads were shot by none other that kaiser Karl.
The first image of David Beckham in the new Armani underwear campaign hits the web, and it's quite a tease.
Brazilian player (and my ex-crush) Adriano gets awarded the Bidone d'Oro (or Golden Toilet) for being the biggest disappointment in soccer in Italy this year.
Designer Calvin Klein landed in Rio this past Saturday for another sunny season in the city. He gets back to his workouts in Ipanema today.
Mr. Marc Jacobs was looking good at the 2007 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Gala dinner, escorted by bf Jason Preston.
Brazilian actor Lázaro Ramos is in New York for the International Emmy Awards, which take place tonight at the Hilton. He is up for best actor for his role on the soap Cobras e Lagartos.
The New York Times T: Travel magazine takes on Bahia, spending eight days in the northeastern coast of Brazil and featuring tips on beaches, nightlife, and shopping.
A new gay club is set to open in São Paulo on November 30: Ultra Diesel. Marcelo Piccine, responsible for the project, talked to A Capa about his latest venture. Mr. Piccine has parties such as R:evolution and The Original Brazilian Pool Party under his belt, and promises an all-white club with a high tech led system, as well as a modelesque selection of bartenders.
X-Factor winner (and my new obsession) Leona Lewis broke the record for fastest selling debut album in the UK with Spirit. She also holds the title for best selling single of the year in the UK, with total sales of 490,000 of Bleeding Love.
If you missed the American Music Awards (I did), check out performances by Celine Dion, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, and Sugarland and Beyoncé in a country rendition of her hit Irreplaceable. For a list of winners, click here.
Design store Nando's is causing a lot of controversy in Salvador with its new ad campaign. Not only did the store photograph a naked man being kissed by a fully clothed woman for its catalog, but it also featured two men undressing to sell furniture, and suggested a lesbian couple with woman's legs crossing on a plush carpet. Photographer Alice Ramos and the store owners are going to to raise a lot of eyebrows with the images (which I hope make their way to a billboard asap). More of the catalog at XXY.
On October of last year, the owners of Pousada Kalaluna in Trancoso wrote me asking for help in possibly recruting a foreign intern for the summer. Apparently, they got a great response from the post, and selected Anthony from New York to come and stay at the inn for three months. Anthony wrote me in fluent Portuguese about a week ago, after spending six months in the country. Read what he had to say about his experience in Bahia and Rio after the jump (in English, of course).
In case you need some inspiration to go out and dance this weekend:
I am seriously considering spending time in the Northeast of the country after watching the videos above. I am sure Beyoncé could learn a move or two from these guys.
If you are not familiar with axé, keep in mind that thanks to the popular music style, Northeastern Brazilian singers rank amongst the highest paid in the country. Artists like Ivete Sangalo and group Asa de Águia cash in about R$300K per show.
In what is becoming a tradition, DJ Fatboy Slim played for over 4,000 fans on the streets of Salvador yesterday.
And apparently the boys in Salvador got hot and bothered to the sound of Brazilian singer Daniela Mercury as well.
And let me mention that Quincy Jones definitely became the biggest Brazilianizer this Carnival, partying in Rio and Salvador. Oprah better come with him next year.
My friends Carlos and Luiz at Pousada Kalaluna in Trancoso are looking for an intern for the summer, and I thought I would spread the word since one of you may be interested.
Candidates must be available from December 1 to February 28, and preferably in between 18 and 25 years old. I guess I don't need to mention that you should be charismatic and responsible. Knowledge of a foreign language and some hotel background on your resume also help. Kalaluna offers housing and meals, as well as a comission.
To contact Luiz, and learn more about the internship at the inn, email him at contato@kalalunapousada.com.br.
If you are looking to relax on beautiful sunny beaches as opposed to partying in Rio for New Year's, then I suggest you give Trancoso a try.
Located in the south of Bahia, Trancoso is slowly becoming a major gay destination in the country with several gay-owned businesses and inns opening every year. Kalaluna is a relaxing B&B in the area owned by a Brazilian gay couple. Luiz and Carlos contacted me a few months ago, and they were so nice I am sure they would be great hosts.
Kalaluna offers 7 cute cottages at very reasonable rates, with full breakfast included. The inn is located close to the beach, and walking distance from the village. Click here to contact the owners.
My family in Brazil just got back from a long weekend at Praia do Forte Eco Resort in Bahia, and considering this is the second time they have been there in the last year, I thought I would suggest it here as a destination next time any of you plans to visit the country.
Knowing how demanding my dad is with hotels, I can assure you that the resort located an hour north of Salvador is one of your best bets if you choose to spend some time in Bahia. All rooms feature water views, there is an open gym facing the gardens, a spa, and lots of activities to keep you busy. All that, and the food (which is included) is supposed to be superb. I wish I would have been able to go with them this time, but I am sure that I will eventually check it out in person. More pics after the jump.
Continue reading "Hitting Bahia: Praia do Forte Eco Resort" »
