Made in Brazil

Get Ready For Floripa Gay Pride

Brazil is funny in the sense that most Pride parades take place on random weekends throughout the year. The parade in Florianópolis happens this Saturday, and the parties start tonight since tomorrow is a holiday.

Wednesday, April 30: GLITZ Sedux at Jivago Lounge.

Thursday, May 1: Tribal Feeling at Club Concorde.

Friday, May 2: The Week's TOY Party at Life Club in Jurerê Internacional, and Perversion Party at Club Concorde.

Saturday, May 3: The Week's Cosmopolitan with Curtis Atchison at Life Club in Jurerê Internacional, and Post-Parade party at Club Concorde.

The 3rd Annual Florianópolis Gay Pride Parade starts at 2pm at Avenida Beira Mar Norte. Last year there was a big controversy with the fact that Peter Rauhofer was announced as a main DJ at a party, and never showed up. This year I cannot avoid but to feel that the city should have waited to celebrate Pride after São Paulo, or at least put together a couple of bigger parties. I am not attending, but I will report on the event early next week.

Paradise Island: Carnival In Floripa

Here are a couple of pictures courtesy of my friend Allan of some of the highlights of Carnival in Floripa, which included DJ Offer Nissim, a party on a yacht, the launch of a new franchise of nightclub The Week, and drunk cute guys at Bloco dos Sujos.

I heard there was a bit of a brawl at The Week when another São Paulo club owner tried to get in to dance to Mr. Rauhofer, but since I was not there I am not taking any sides (or writing my own version of what happened).

Carnival Party Guide To Floripa

Floripa is the second biggest gay destination for Carnival in Brazil. If you are heading in that direction, here is a list of the best parties happening on the island.

Friday, February 1st:
Babylon International Connection with DJ Offer Nissim at The Week.

Saturday, February 2nd:
Pool Party with Matinee Group at The Week.
E.Joy with DJ Chris Cox and a special performance by Suzanne Palmer at Lagoa Iate Club. Tickets online at Nos Vamos.
Fatboy Slim at El Divino Club.

Sunday, February 3rd:
Sunrise Party on board of yacht Casablanca with DJs Ana Paula, Patricinha Tribal, Ale Bittencourt, and Slam T, departing at noon from Hotel Veleiros. Tickets online at Nos Vamos.
Troy Pool Party with DJ Bill Hallquist at Alameda Casa Rosa, starting at 2pm. Tickets online at Nos Vamos.
Toy Party with DJ Isaac Escalante at The Week.
Concorde Crew with DJ Sandro Perez at Floripa Music Hall.
David Guetta and Mischa Daniels at El Divino Club.

Monday, February 4th:
Cosmopolitan Special with DJ Peter Rauhofer at The Week.

Tuesday, February 5th:
Nova Pool Party with DJ Stephan Grondin at The Week, starting at 4pm.
Tiesto at El Divino Club.

Please note that the parties listed at El Divino Club are not gay events, even though I am pretty sure they will attract a gay crowd. Remember to email me pictures when you are not too busy dancing shirtless amongst 2,500 hot sweaty men.

The Week Will Take Over The Island

The Week's first venture into Florianópolis during Carnival last year was so successful that the club decided to invest in building a bigger structure for 2008, inside of Praia Mole Eco Village Hotel. The project involves a brand new pool, dance floor, and wooden decks, and will hold about 2,500 people during the club's parties, starting in two weeks.

The schedule of Carnival parties at The Week Florianópolis is listed below.

February 1st: Babylon International Connection with DJ Offer Nissim.
February 2nd: Pool Party with Matinee Group, starting at 4pm.
February 3rd: Toy Party with DJ Isaac Escalante.
February 4th: Cosmopolitan Special with DJ Peter Rauhofer.
February 5th: Nova Pool Party with DJ Stephan Grondin, starting at 4pm.

View pictures of the site in construction at Revista Lado A and at MixBrasil.

The complete Floripa Carnival party schedule is coming next week.

Floripa Party Guide To NYE

In the past few years Florianópolis has become one of the main gay destinations for New Year's in the country, only rivaled by Rio. Here is a list of parties I recommend you put on your schedule for later this month:

Friday, December 28:

US Reveillon Edition at Clube Penhasco with DJs Slam T., Herbert Monteiro, and Marcus Vinícius. Tickets available online at Nos Vamos.

Saturday, December 29:

Club Concorde with DJ Rafael Calvente. Tickets available at Nos Vamos.

Sunday, December 30:

Sunrise Party on board of yacht Casablanca with DJs Slam T., Ana Paula, and Ale Bittencourt. The yacht leaves from Hotel Veleiros at 2 pm, and heads to Jurerê Internacional. Tickets at Nos Vamos.

Tribal Feeling at Floripa Music Hall with DJs Patrícia Tribal and Ale Bittencourt. Tickets at Nos Vamos.

Monday, December 31:

Party All The Time at Club Concorde with DJs Ana Paula and Demu Mix. Tickets at Nos Vamos.

E.joy Reveillon dos Sonhos at Yacht Club Lagoa with national DJs Rodolfo Bravat, Ale Vidal, Ale Bittencourt, and Colombian DJ Fist. Tickets at Nos Vamos.

Troy Reveillon Xtravaganza at Alameda Casa Rosa, with DJs Edson Pride, Ricardo Gonzalez, Lac, Beto Mafra, and André Neto. The party is open bar, and a countdown to the new year with fireworks is on the schedule. Tickets start at R$66 at Nos Vamos.

Tuesday, January 1:

ReFlexx Pool Party at Yacht Club Lagoa, starting at 3 pm with DJs Junior Peron and Kiron.

If you plan on attending some of the parties listed above, I suggest purchasing your tickets online asap. You will not only save money, but also time waiting in line.

Considering I will not be in Floripa for NYE, I am looking for a reader who is interested in covering the parties for Made In Brazil. If you would like to collaborate with the blog, please email me.

Readers On Speedo Sundays

Made In Brazil reader Bailey recently returned from a trip to Floripa, and emailed me some pictures thanking me for a few travel tips. I asked him if I could post them here, and he was a good sport about it.

Bailey also sent me some beautiful shots of Floripa. Make sure to check them out after the jump.

Discovering Ponta Dos Ganchos

I was invited to visit Ponta dos Ganchos in Santa Catarina earlier this year, but never found the time to go. This past weekend my dad was there, and only had great things to say about the resort, so I figured I would post it as an option for those of you heading to Floripa in the near future.

From the pictures the place looks like a deserted beach on an island in the Pacific, but it is actually a privately owned peninsula located only 20 miles from Floripa. The private resort counts with 20 luxurious bungalows, tennis courts, a spa and fitness center, all approved by Relais & Chateaux. It is probably the best place in the country for a romantic weekend getaway at the beach.

More pictures after the jump, and more information about the resort at Ponta dos Ganchos' website.

Learn To Surf In Floripa

Lately I have been bombarded with emails about Floripa as many of you seem interested in heading there in the next couple of months. While I am putting together a guide with bars, restaurants, and hotels to make your life easier, I decided to suggest surfing lessons as an alternative to all the late-night parties.

I have been thinking about learning to surf for a while now, and recently found out Floripa has a great program for that at Brazil Surf Camp. I figured I would post about it as there are probably a few of you who would like to embark on a surf camp in the south of Brazil as well.

I can't say much about my personal experience with the program as I have not yet been able to take a week off and devote it to surfing, but the packages listed on the website look like a good deal to me. And if a week is too long for you, there are also weekend packages with accommodations at Mole Beach Park Hotel, meals, and four hours of daily surf lessons, which could be a good way to get your body in shape for Carnival.

For more information, visit Brazil Surf Camp. I am now trying to get together a few friends to go with me to take advantage of the special group rates.

Sunset In Floripa

At Avenida Beira Mar, driving back from the beach.

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T.

Praia Mole in Floripa

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T.

Independence Day

Today is a national holiday in the country. There are no fireworks lined up, but it almost feels like summer in Floripa, and there are many parties going on tonight and tomorrow.

Expect full coverage of the weekend on Monday (and via blackberry).

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T.

Reliving Carnival In Floripa

Carnival is long gone, but I thought the weekend would be a good time to relive the parties organized by The Week in Florianópolis last month. I wasn't there, but my friends all had a great time.

The parties were so successful that the club has already booked Hotel Praia Mole for more next year. There are more pictures after the jump.

Party Guide: Carnival In Floripa

I can't believe that Carnival is right around the corner already. If I had the option, I would be heading to Floripa with my friends to enjoy the beach and party a bit.

Floripa has become as big a gay destination as Rio for Carnival in Brazil, and this year is loaded with parties non-stop. São Paulo's club The Week is moving to Floripa for the long weekend for the first time ever, and some of the country's biggest DJs are going to be landing in the city for the festivities. Here is a party guide to get you through Carnival:

Friday, February 16:

The Week's Beach Lounge kicks off the weekend at 1 pm in front of Praia Mole Hotel, with DJs Kiron, André Queiroz, and Alexandre Vidal. Free admission.

South Beats at Praia Mole Eco Village Hotel with DJs Demu Mix, Ana Paula, and Ale Bittencourt.

Saturday, February 17:

The Week's Nova Pool Party at 2 pm at Praia Mole Hotel with DJs Renato Cecin, Gutho Bumaruf, and Paulinho Agulhari.

Concorde club with DJ Eddie Baez, starting at 11 pm.

Troy at Alameda Casa Rosa with DJs Kiokio and Herbert Monteiro, from 11 pm to early morning.

E*Joy at Lagoa Iate Clube with DJs Tony Moran, Isaac Escalante, Kiron, Patrícia Tribal, and Roger Maia.

Sunday, February 18:

The Week's Beach Lounge at 1 pm in front of Praia Mole Hotel. Free admission.

Toy Party Praia Mole Eco Village Hotel, starting at midnight with imported DJs Eddie X, Hector Fonseca, and Brazilian João Neto.

Monday, February 19:

The Week's Beach Lounge at 1 pm in front of Praia Mole Hotel. Free admission.

Sunrise Carnival Edition on board of yacht Casablanca from 2pm to 8pm, with DJs Ale Bittencourt and Herberto Monteiro.

Pop Gay Pageant in downtown Floripa at 9 pm in front of Hotel Roma.

The Week's Babylon with DJs João Neto, Pacheco, and internacional attraction Eric Cullenberg.

Tuesday, February 20:

The Week's Beach Lounge closes the long weekend at 1 pm in front of Praia Mole Hotel. Free admission.

The party guide for Rio is coming this week as well.

Speedo Sundays From Floripa

Because it is summer down here, and I highly recommend some of you take a trip to Floripa as an alternative to Rio. Not convinced? There are more pictures of New Year's in Floripa over at Italo.

New Year's In Floripa: Sunrise Party

The first edition of Sunrise pool party in Floripa loaded a yacht with 500 boys to celebrate the New Year.

I hear there may be a second edition of the party on board of Casablanca on February for Carnival. More pictures of the event after the jump.

Party Time: New Year's In Floripa

How about hoping on a yacht AND attending a pool party at the same time? If you are going to be in Floripa on the first day of 2007, then I suggest booking a ticket to Sunrise party on board of Casablanca, the biggest yacht in the south of the country. With DJs Ale Bittencourt, Herbert Monteiro, and Alexandre Vidal, the yacht will leave from downtown Floripa and sail off to Jurerê Internacional. Brunch will be served on board, and tickets can still be purchased at nosvamos.com.br.

On the night before, you can ring in the new year at Troy Reveillon Deluxe, which is going to be held at Alameda Casa Rosa with a Versace-esque vibe. DJs Robson Mouse and Douglas Penido will be spinning, and tickets are available at nosvamos.com.br and Foch.

Plan Ahead: New Year's In Floripa

If you have already spent New Year's in Rio once, then I would highly suggest you check out Floripa. Even if you have not been to Rio, I think it is a great option because it is less expensive, and it is also where you will find most of the boys from Rio who get out of the city at that time of the year to make room for the tourists.

Although the whole atmosphere in Florianópolis is a lot more relaxed than Rio, the gay nightlife is fun, the gay beaches are crowded with cute boys (and hot surfers everywhere), and even Gisele spends New Year's there. If I stay in Brazil, that is where I am going with my friends.

Along with the agents from Flex Voyage, Made In Brazil has put together three packages at different price points for 8 nights in Floripa. Check out the selected hotels with pictures after the jump.