Made in Brazil

Gearing Up For São Paulo Gay Pride Weekend

Here is an update on São Paulo Gay Pride weekend, which is now only two weeks away.

Manhunt.net announced the winner of its online contest to elect the hottest Brazilian on the site. Garoto Vibe 23 got the most votes, and scored an all expenses paid round-trip to São Paulo for Pride weekend. He also guaranteed a spot on the Manhunt float on the parade, which will have DJs Brett Henrichsen and Aimee (DanceMusicDiva) spinning. To view the rest of the top ten Manhunt Brazil list, visit MixBrasil.

From tonight on, nightclub A Lôca will be also open on Wednesday nights. The night will be called Invert, and feature tribal and house music by DJs Paulo Ciotti and Rodrigo Borro.

Nightclubs Flex and Ultra Diesel have released their schedule for Pride weekend:

Wednesday, May 21:
12am: Flex International at with DJ Hector Fonseca.

Thursday, May 22:
8am: Ultra Diesel After 1D.

Friday, May 23:
8am: Ultra Diesel After 2D with DJ Erich Ensastigue.
8pm: Flex Chill Out with DJs Patricinha Tribal, Charles Medeiros, and Kiron.
12am: Ultra Diesel PM Project with producers Moshe Fain and Amir Marcus, and 3D projections (3D glasses will be distributed).
12am: E-Joy Pride 2008 with DJs Mario Calegari, Fist, Eric Cullemberg, and Herlison Child.

Saturday, May 24:
8am: Ultra Diesel After 3D with DJ Ale Bittencourt, live percussion by Alvaro Moura, and 3D projections (3D glasses will be distributed).
12am: Flex National with a selection of Brazilian DJs.

Sunday, May 25:
8am: Ultra Diesel After 4D with DJ Patricinha Tribal and free whey protein.
8pm: Ultra Diesel PM Project Special Edition Kalinato with DJs Luciano Pardini and Miguel Alanis.

Ultra Diesel has become the after hours destination for the boys who party at The Week on Saturday night, which is why some parties are listed at 8 am.

My feeling is that the biggest Pride party this year will be at The Week on May 24, with DJs Offer Nissim and Peter Rauhofer spinning. For The Week's complete Pride schedule, click here.

If you haven't booked a hotel in São Paulo yet, I recommend you do so asap. Most hotels near Avenida Paulista, where the parade takes place, are expecting to be fully booked for Pride weekend by later this week. If you are looking for a boutique hotel, I would suggest Emiliano in the Jardins area, but if you are not looking to spend R$800 a night, I highly recommend Blue Tree Towers Paulista, which has special rates of R$157 a night for Gay Pride weekend, and is conveniently located only a block away from the parade. A lot of the foreign DJs and press stayed there last year, so breakfast was sort of a cool scene.

And since Pride is the topic here, I am happy to inform that Rio has finally scheduled the date for its Gay Pride. It will take place on October 12 again this year, which is also my birthday.

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.

A Semana: Gays On Soaps, International DJs, Hulu, And The 2014 World Cup

The gay character from the new soap Duas Caras will be pushed out of the closet this Friday. Bernardinho, played by actor Thiago Mendonca, will be set up by a hustler played by Lugui Palhares, with whom his parents will find him in bed in the morning. I am curious to see how much will be left for the imagination when the chapter airs.

A new gay magazine for women called Sobre Ellass is in the works, and scheduled for a November debut.

There is a new gay club set to open in São Paulo: Ultra Diesel plans to take over Friday nights in the city by late November.

By late next month, Mark Ronson will be landing in the country for the Motomix Festival. His performance is scheduled for the 29th at club Royal.

David Morales will be spinning at The Week Rio on Friday night, along with Brazilian DJs João Neto and Ana Paula.

Belo Horizonte's sexy nightclub Roxy gets the approval seal at The Coolhunter.

Angra dos Reis' swanky Hotel do Frade gets a nod from men.style.com.

Jonathan Rhys-Meyers scores the cover of Details, shot by Steven Klein a la Mapplethorpe.

Have you signed up for Hulu yet? I did.

Brazil was chosen host of the 2014 World Cup today. After the withdrawal of Colombia in April, the country was the only candidate to host the event. Brazil had been told by FIFA it wasn't guaranteed the tournament simply because there were no opponents, saying it had to provide a solid bid package. Little did they know that solid packages are usually not a problem in this country.

A Semana: Fasano In Rio, Diamonds, Magazines, And Mr. Gay Brazil

The much anticipated Hotel Fasano will finally open its doors in Rio this Sunday. A cocktail will be held from 10 am to 6 pm to 3,000 select guests, celebrating the new hotel which will officially start operating this Tuesday.

Just out of curiosity, the comments about the September issue of Vanity Fair on this blog generated a series of articles and posts on every Brazilian site this week.

Diamonds are Beyoncé's best friend, and a new fragrance for women.

Gwyneth Paltrow looks slightly scary on this month's W magazine, photographed by Steven Klein.

Actor Ryan Reynolds talks to the Advocate about gay rumors and homophobia.

Model Viviane Orth scores the cover of the August issue of L'Officiel Brazil. This will be her second cover for the magazine in the country.

Top male models get their hair bleached for the latest installment of V Man.

Mix Brasil takes you backstage to check out the making of the cover of its upcoming gay magazine, Junior. I was fortunate to receive a copy of it in advance, and am thrilled that the country will have a gay publication that does not revolve around porn.

I had a bit of an obsession with German photographer turned (his own) model Lars Stephan earlier this year, but I am even more obsessed now after taking a look at his summer sweat series of self-portraits (warning: NSFW).

As previously mentioned, Mix Brasil partnered with Mr. Gay International to elect a Brazilian representative to the title. Eleven Brazilian cities have already confirmed their participation on the pageant, and Mix Brasil is still taking applications until Monday. The national finalist will be chosen in São Paulo on October 20. Now where do I sign up as a judge?

A 45-year-old man was found dead at Sauna 269 in São Paulo. The victim was found at a storage area with deep wounds on his forehead, and his pants down. According to the police, the victim probably died trying to exit the sauna during an unexpected police check last Friday night. The man apparently tried to escape to avoid having to tell his wife that he was at a gay sauna, and fell from the roof. Sauna 269 declined to comment on the case.

Weekend At Ipanema Plaza

I have recommended many people to stay at Ipanema Plaza in the past, but I had never actually stayed there since I stay with friends when I am in Rio. Given I was in the city for work, I got a chance to spend the weekend at the hotel to check it out for myself.

With the Caribbean-like beach weather on Friday, it was the perfect place to be. The breakfast was superb (after a night of partying at 00), the views of the beach incredible, and the staff could not have been nicer. Add to that the fact that it took me less than 2 minutes to make it to the beach, and it is certainly one of the best alternatives for a week of leisure in Rio.

If you are heading to Rio anytime soon (Carnival is right around the corner), email G Brazil for special rates.

Hitting The Beach: Pérola Búzios

I have been getting lots of emails asking me about spending some time in Búzios around and after New Year's, so I thought I would present Pérola Búzios as an option (or perhaps a motivation factor). It was designed by renowned architect and artist Helio Pellegrino, and looks like a perfect place to enjoy a break from the cold in the Northern hemisphere.

Not only is it surrounded by beautiful beaches, the hotel is also located at walking distance from Rua das Pedras, which offers a variety of restaurants, bars, and designer boutiques to keep you entertained when you are not tanning, working out at the gym, or relaxing at the spa.

More information about the hotel and rates after the jump.

Want To Live In Trancoso?

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.

Hitting Bahia: Pousada Kalaluna

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.

Hitting Bahia: Praia do Forte Eco Resort

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.