Made in Brazil

The Week Gets A Rainproof Makeover

São Paulo's gay mecca The Week is still the leading gay club in the city for one main reason: it is constantly changing for the better. Last week the club announced that it will be investing in a new high-tech roof to cover the outdoors pool area, just so that no one will have to worry about parties being canceled because of rain.

This coming Saturday DJs/producers Milk and Sugar will be spinning at the club to get the boys ready for all the Gay Pride festivities which kick off on Wednesday, May 21.

For The Week's complete Gay Pride schedule, click here. Tickets for the big bash on May 24 with Offer Nissim and Peter Rauhofer are already R$100, so I highly suggest you purchase yours asap at Ingresso Rapido.

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.

Glow Boys

Another edition of the GLOW party took over Brasília this past Saturday, and I am loving the selection of go-go boys featured (and their ripped denim attire).

More after the jump.

The Week Announces Gay Pride Schedule

I can't believe Gay Pride in São Paulo is only a month away, and I can't believe the event turned into a second Carnival in the country, with five days of parties lined up.

Nightclub (and gay mecca) The Week has already released its schedule for Gay Pride, so check it out:

Wednesday, May 21st: Babylon International Connection with DJ Isaac Escalante.
Thursday, May 22nd: The Week's Angels Visits Pacha with guest DJ Paulo.
Friday, May 23rd: Toy 4th Year Anniversary with DJ Chris Cox.
Saturday, May 24th: Girassol Day Party with Matinée Group at Club Regatas Tietê, and Babylon Special Edition with DJs Peter Rauhofer and Offer Nissim spinning at the same night.
Sunday, May 25th: Nova Pool Party with Matinée Group.

The club's resident DJs João Neto, Renato Cecin, and Pacheco, will also be spinning on most nights.

Expect a full party schedule of São Paulo Gay Pride early next month. I will be covering most of the parties live, and am planning tons of new features for this year.

A Semana: Megga Fun, Kanye West, Madonna, And Isabeli

Nightclub Megga Fun opened in São Paulo last Saturday, offering another alternative to the traditional Babylon party at The Week. Reviews from the blogosphere were pretty diverse, so I am going to check it out by myself next time I am in the city and let you guys know how I feel about it (with photos and videos as usual).

Talking about The Week, Erick Morillo will be spinning at the club in São Paulo this Friday. Tony Moran commands the party on Saturday.

Made In Brazil was picked as one of Typepad Featured Blogs last week, which I thought was pretty cool.

The boys from Ohlala went tanning for a cause with Work Out star Jackie Warren. I can't believe I will miss the premiere of the show now that am in Brazil.

Kanye West unveiled yet another amazing video, this time for Homecoming. I am wondering if the video for Flashing Lights ever got any play because of its content.

Madonna's Hard Candy blitz is gearing up with rumors of a possible live performance at Roseland in New York on April 28 or 29. Make sure to check out exclusive screen caps from the video for 4 Minutes, to listen to the Junkie XL mix of the single, and to preview Madonna's Elle cover. The video premieres this week.

CSS' lead singer Lovefoxxx stars in the new campaign for Luella Bartley's collection for surfwear label O'Neil.

Model Isabeli Fontana's big return to the runways this season is paying off. I hear she is booked for the new ad campaigns for Valentino, Cavalli, and Belstaff.

Talking about castings, this was the talk of the town last week. And it is true.

A Semana: Vogue Hommes, Edilson, Elite Squad, And Manhunt

The new Vogue Hommes International is out, with Josh Beech on the cover shot by Hedi Slimane.

Chad White sizzles in the new V Man, and provides lots of wardrobe ideas for the upcoming Black Party.

Brazilian model Edilson Nascimento is getting a lot of buzz lately, and he has only been in New York for a little over a month. Read an interview with him at Connex 24.7.

The era of fashion conglomerates has begun in Brazil. This week Forum designer Tufi Duek announced that he will be selling his label to group AMC Têxtil, owner of Colcci and Sommer, for a reportedly R$ 250 million. Tufi Duek will remain as creative director for at least the next three years.

Elite Squad (or Tropa de Elite), winner of the Golden Bear in Berlin, is set to make its US debut at the Tribeca Film Festival next month.

Brazilian soccer player Roberto Carlos stars along with David Beckham in the new Pepsi commercial.

MixBrasil and Manhunt have joined forces again this year to elect the 10 hottest Brazilians on Manhunt. To apply all you need is a Manhunt account and some hot pictures of yourself. The winner will score two plane tickets to attend São Paulo Gay Pride on May 25, as well as an iPod Nano and VIP tickets to Pride parties. If you think you've got what it takes and you happen to reside in Brazil, send an email to manhuntpromo@gmail.com with your name, age, Manhunt ID, and four pictures.

In Rio? Then celebrate the Easter holiday tomorrow at The Original Brazilian Pool Party at Clube Internacional de Regatas, starting at 5pm.

Flashback: Carnival In Rio

Carnival has been officially over for a week now, but I thought these pictures I received from reader Shawn were still worth posting. They are all from The Week Rio, probably the best addition to Carnival in the city this year.

More hot sweaty boys on the dancefloor after the jump.

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).

Keeping Up With The Boys In Rio

Some new pictures of the Cosmopolitan party with DJ Peter Rauhofer at The Week Rio this past Saturday, thanks to my friend Andres.

Is it just me or does it look like it was hot in there?

You May Be Missing Out On A R:evolution

Thanks to my friend Andres, here is a teaser of what went down in Rio this past Friday at the R:evoultion party with Tony Moran.

Carnival goes on until Tuesday, and since I am in Punta del Este as opposed to Rio I am counting on you guys to email me pictures. A little more of R:evolution courtesy of Andres after the jump.

Party Time: Carnival Starts Today

Just in time for Carnival, nightclub The Week launched a new website for its franchise built inside Praia Mole Eco Village Hotel in Florianópolis. The project for the new club in Santa Catarina looks pretty cool, and it opens tonight with a special edition of Babylon with DJ Offer Nissim. I am sure every gay men in Floripa is going to be there.

On other Carnival news, the weather forecast for Rio is of cloudy skies and rain until the 12th, with heavy rains expected on Monday. The forecast is not much different for Floripa. I guess at least people will not feel bad about sleeping all day after partying until 8 in the morning.

If you still have not figured out what to do in the next five days, I have some suggestions:
Carnival Party Guide To Rio
Carnival Party Guide To Floripa

Please note that the venue for R:evolution in Rio tonight has changed to Sky Lounge, and that E.njoy and Banda de Ipanema were just added to the schedule.

Be careful, have fun, and send pictures.

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.

Carnival Party Guide To Rio

Valentino, Quincy Jones, and models Natalia Vodianova and Daria Werbowy have all confirmed that they will be in Rio for Carnival. If you are heading to Rio later this week as well, here is a list of parties and events you will not want to miss.

Friday, February 1st:
R:evolution Open Air with DJ Tony Moran at Sky Lounge.
Babylon International Connection with DJ Stephan Grondin at The Week Rio.

Saturday, February 2nd:
Banda de Ipanema street Carnival at Praça General Osório, starting at 4pm.
Cosmopolitan with DJ Peter Rauhofer at The Week Rio.
Verão TIM with David Guetta at Jockey Club (not a gay event).

Sunday, February 3rd:
The Original Brazilian Pool Party with DJ Roland Belmares at Clube Internacional de Regatas.
Day Party with Matinee Group at The Week Rio, starting at 4pm.
B.I.T.C.H. with DJ Offer Nissim at Fundição Progresso.

Monday, February 4th:
E.njoy with DJ Eric Entrena at Roda Skol.
Cosmopolitan with DJ Isaac Escalante at The Week Rio.

Tuesday, February 5th:
Banda de Ipanema street Carnival at Praça General Osório, starting at 4pm.
The Original Brazilian Pool Party with DJ Bill Halquist at Clube Internacional de Regatas.
Day Party with DJ Brett Henrichsen at The Week Rio, starting at 4pm.
X-Demente with DJ Pablo Ceballos at Marina da Glória.

Tickets for parties at The Week can be bought in advance at Ingresso Rapido.

Keep in mind that I will not be in Rio this year, and that I appreciate getting pictures of all the parties which I can post here.

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.

A Semana: NYE, Brazilianizers, and Mr. Gay

DSquared2 twins Dean and Dan Caten spent New Year's at Chopin building in Rio.

Four million people watched the fireworks from the beach in Rio de Janeiro this year. O Globo Online has a picture gallery of the festivities.

I am saddened to report that one person died at Posto 9 in Ipanema during a shooting, and that five people were hurt by stray bullets in Copacabana on NYE.

My friend and blogger Italo talks about the parties in Rio on his blog. From what I heard, nightclub The Week reigned supreme in its first new year in the city, and Chris Cox was the best DJ.

Check out MixBrasil for a selection of pictures of the parties in Rio.

Rumors on Brazilian papers had everyone thinking Paris Hilton would spend NYE at Cafe de la Musique in Floripa. Paris ended up in Las Vegas, but models Alessandra Ambrosio, Izabel Goulart, Jeisa, Oluchi, and Fernanda Motta were there. Actor Jared Leto also chose the place to spend NYE.

Mary J. Blige performed Just Fine and Alicia Keys sang Like You'll Never See Me Again to ring in the new year in New York.

January 12 has been confirmed as the date for the first edition of the Creamfields festival in Punta del Este. The line up of DJs includes the likes of Hernán Cattaneo, Seb Fontaine, Jimmy Van M, S.O.S., and others.

It is time to get online and vote for Brazilian Luciano Lupo in the International Mr. Gay Competition.

Rio de Janeiro Party Guide To NYE

Rio is the biggest gay destination in the country when it comes to New Year's. Below is a list of events to choose from if you are heading that way.

Friday, December 28:

Ric Sena's Alegria with DJ Abel at Armazém 5. VIP tickets start at USD $80, and include access to two VIP areas, exclusive bathrooms, and drink tickets. VIP tickets can be purchased online at Alegria Events.

Saturday, December 29:

Cosmopolitan Special Edition with DJ Chris Cox at The Week Rio. Tickets at Ingresso Rapido.

Rosane Amaral's R:evolution Open Air at Escola de Remo do Flamengo, in front of Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, with DJs Twisted Dee, Fist, and Flávio Lima, and a performance by samba school Grande Rio.

Sunday, December 30:

Pool Party at The Week Rio with DJ Jamie Sanchez, starting at 4 pm. Tickets at Ingresso Rapido.

X-Demente at Fundição Progresso with DJs Mike Cruz and Frank Pellegrino.

Monday, December 31:

Cosmopolitan Special Edition After Midnight at The Week Rio with DJs Curtis Atchison and Erik Reves. Tickets at Ingresso Rapido.

Reveillon Ipanema 2008, with a VIP area assembled right by the beach, open bar, and ten hours of continuous music provided by DJs Fox'n'Feel, Mentex, André Queiroz, Marcus Vinícius, Patricinha Tribal, and Aless. The event takes place at Vieira Souto and Farme de Amoedo. Tickets start at R$ 300 at Ingresso Certo.

Reveillon R:evolution Made In Brazil by Rosane Amaral at Sky Lounge, with DJs Flávio Lima, Jeff Valle and Vlad.

Wonderland Rio at the rooftop of Ipanema Plaza Hotel. Tickets start at R$400, and include open bar and buffet all night long, as well as breakfast at 6 am. Buy tickets online at Ingresso Certo.

Tuesday, January 1:

The Original Brazilian Pool Party, starting at 2 pm at Clube Internacional de Regatas, with DJs Eric Cullenberg, Twisted Dee, and Flávio Lima.

Pool Party at The Week Rio with DJs Patricinha Tribal, Morais, Jeff Valle, and João Neto, as well as a special performance by a international singer (no names have been announced yet).

Since I will not be in Rio, I am looking for a reader who is interested in covering the parties for Made In Brazil. Please email me if you would like to submit pictures of the events.

Last year I posted a guide to restaurants in Rio, which I do recommend you take a look as well.

If you are heading to Floripa instead of Rio, take a look at the Floripa Party Guide To NYE.

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.

A Semana: Stalking Cauã, Beckham In Brazil, And Toys For Tots

Cauã Reymond attended the opening of a new Hering store in Ipanema yesterday with girlfriend Grazi Massafera. The actor (and Hottest Brazilian Of The Year nominee) is currently shooting a movie in São Paulo.

David Beckam will be making a pit stop in Brazil this month. He lands on the 28th, and will be in Natal for two days shooting a campaign for a new real estate development.

Hilary Swank graces the January cover of W magazine.

If you can't wait to see Tim Burton's movie adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Tood, click here to preview the opening sequence.

New York magazine looks back at the year in movies.

Style.com looks back at the year in fashion (and at Balenciaga's $159,000 robot leggings and the omnipresent Marc Jacobs).

2008 is going to be all about floral prints. Doubt it? Check out the latest issue of Vogue Italia, photographed by Meisel.

Model Marcelle Bittar is going to be presenting a TV show about fashion at Record Rio. The first episode airs this Saturday at 12:30 pm.

Bruna Tenorio scores a major new gig for Shiseido.

Christmas is around the corner, and am happy to see Brazilian gay clubs involved in charity work. This coming Friday, nightclub Blue Space will open exclusively for an event put together by Manhunt to support children who are HIV+. Admission will be free with the donation of a new toy. The last edition of the bear-oriented Woof Party this year, which takes place at Ocean Club this Friday as well, will offer reduced admission for anyone who brings a toy to donate.

Talking about parties, this Friday there is another edition of AleLux at Gloria with DJs Johnny Luxo and Ale Herchcovitch. On Sunday, The Week Rio will be hosting its first day party at the club's brand new outdoor pool area.

Caipirinha Factory

The bartenders' assembly line at the White Party, making kiwi and strawberry caipirinhas for 3,500 guests.

More on the big bash here and here.

Go-go Dancing At The White Party II

I wouldn't want any of you to miss the all go-go action at last Sunday's White Party II at The Week in São Paulo, so I captured it on video.

There is more after the jump, including a samba lesson.

Tackiest Event Of The Season: White Party II

Not even the clouds over São Paulo and the constant threat of a thunderstorm were capable of slowing down the gayest event of the month, designer Rogério Figueiredo's birthday bash at The Week. I did not attend the event last year, but my expectation level was set on high thanks to all the press releases I received on my mailbox for the past two months.

I am not one to bash a party when it is open bar and there are hot go-go boys, but I do confess I was expecting more of the event after all the online buzz. For starters, the invite could have used a little extra attention. If you are going to write it in English for no other reason than the fact you think it sounds cool, you should do a little homework so that you don't spell Birthday Spetacular wrong (it should have read Spectacular). As for the picture of the designer surrounded by flamingos and tigers, I thought it was really camp and perfect for the party. Rogério gets points for having the balls to do it.

The organization of the event was obviously the strongest point, but that is probably because it was supervised by the team at The Week. The idea of serving caipirinhas at the bars was cute and summery, but not effective considering the amount of time it takes to prepare them. I know I can't complain about drinks when they are free, but something else other than vodka, beer, or water would have been nice. I heard about a food court, and I know there was one, but I did not manage to find it (and all I saw related to food were boys sucking on popsicles).

Unfortunately, the weather did not help much with the all white theme. If it had been sunny and the skies had been blue, I think the party would have worked better. Somehow it felt like a New Year's Eve celebration in the middle of fall or something. On a positive note (or not depending on what turns you on), at least it did not rain, and it was fun to see what everyone had on.

As for the music, I would have liked it a little less hard and somber considering it was a day party. A lot of the people I saw who were high as a kite seemed to be enjoying it though, so please ignore my opinion. The twenty-minute samba break which totally raised the tackiness level to a 10 was actually one of the highlights for me when it came to dancing.

There is more after the jump, and exclusive pictures at a new photo album.

Weekend Forecast: Party, Party, Party!

This weekend is probably the busiest party weekend in the country until New Year's Eve, thanks partially to designer Rogério Figueiredo's birthday bash at The Week on Sunday a.k.a. White Party II.

If you are in São Paulo tonight, Russel Small from the Freemasons is going to be performing at The Week, compensating for the duo's last minute cancellation back in October. There is also hot DJ Pete Tha Zouk at club Pacha, and the always fun BafonBafu party at Glória, headlined by Sergio Amaral and Ju Andrade.

If you are in Rio, then do not miss the first carioca edition of AleLux at Barman Club in Copacabana, closing the MixBrasil Film Festival. Designer Ale Herchcovitch spins avec partner-in-crime Johnny Luxo.

Israeli DJ Ronen Mizrahi will command the turntables at Flexx in São Paulo on Saturday night, while Venezuelan Luís Erre will take over The Week. The first ever Eden Women Party also takes place, and is expected to draw 3,000 girls to Aldeia Turiassú.

For the past month, it seems that the main issue on the Brazilian blogosphere is the party put together by Rogério Figueiredo at The Week to celebrate his birthday and the launch of his menswear line. I would have called it a private party considering it is guest-lits only, but 3,500 guests is not exactly my idea of privacy. If the weather forecast is correct (and thunderstorms are really on the way), his much anticipated White Party may turn into a huge wet t-shirt contest. Regardless of the weather, I will be attending so do expect a full coverage here on Monday. If you are also going, remember that you must donate a toy at the entrance.

Coming Up: White Party II At The Week

Every gay men in the country is already talking about the second edition of Rogério Figueiredo's White Party at The Week in São Paulo on Sunday, December 9. The event celebrating the designer's birthday and the launch of his new menswear line is by invitation only, and will feature shows by drag queens Thalia Bombinha and Silvetty Montilla, a performance by a samba school, and music by DJs Alê Amaral, Grá Ferreira, Pacheco, Morais, and Eric Cullemberg. The party for Rogério's 3,500 guests will start at 1 pm, and is scheduled to last until 11 pm. All guests must obviously wear white, and donate a toy to charity. If I end up going (which is very likely at this point), I will definitely make sure to take my camera and fill you in on all the action.

NYE In Rio: Alegria And Wonderland

New Year's is right around the corner, and a few parties in Brazil are already scheduled.

If you are heading to Rio, Alegria is taking place again this year on December 28. Last year I heard the air conditioning needed a lot of improvement, so hopefully that has been taken care of already. Tickets start at R$70, and are on sale at Foch stores in Rio and São Paulo.

Tom Whitman is ringing in the new year at the rooftop of Ipanema Plaza hotel with the Wonderland party. The first batch of the 350 VIP tickets for the event are already on sale for R$400 at Ingresso Rapido, and include open bar and buffet all night long, as well as breakfast at 6 am.

I am sure that The Week Rio will also have some surprises in store for NYE. I will post them as soon as I get the official party schedule for the club.

Pool Party Season Is Officially Open

I happen to love day parties, and The Week in São Paulo sure knows how to turn out the best of them. After days of torrential rains in the city, a bright sun in the sky on Sunday afternoon was enough to make sure the club was completely packed by 5 pm. Music was fun and uplifting, and I have to confess that I thought hostess Gra Ferreira did an even better job than resident Ana Paula on the DJ booth.

Because I had tickets to see Björk at Tim Festival, I left at about 7:30. The party went on until 1 am. More pictures after the jump.

Agency Party

My friend Sergio Mattos' agency 40 Graus Models celebrated its third year in business last night with a big party at Baronetti in Ipanema. Here are some exclusive pictures from the party, which probably felt like a casting call to V Man.

Next year I better attend. More pictures after the jump.

Guide To Gay Pride In Rio

I am starting to loose track of how many Gay Pride parades are celebrated in Brazil, and of all their dates. The next big one lined up is in Rio, and it will take place this coming Sunday (by no coincidence, a long weekend in the country). If you are headed there for the festivities, there are plenty of parties to keep you busy over the weekend.

On Friday, October 12 (a national holiday AND also my bday), Rosanel Amaral will celebrate the 5th anniversary of her Pool Party at Clube Internacional de Regatas. It starts at 2 pm with DJs Jamie Sanchez, Twisted Dee, Flavio Lima, and Dudu Marquez. At night, DJ Aldo Haydar will spin at The Week as part of the new The WeekEND project.

On Saturday, the bears also have a place to play with a Rio edition of Woof Splash! at Hotel Atlantis in the afternoon. At night, head over to The Week again to dance to the sound of The Freemasons, who will be playing in the club for the first time. I am sure the music is going to be great (DJs Felipe Lira and Robix are scheduled to warm up the dancefloor), but if you want to avoid The Week two nights in a row, you can also opt for E.njoy at Vivo Rio. The line up of DJs will be 100% Brazilian, with Rafael Calvente, Ana Paula, and Ale Bittencourt.

On Sunday there is the parade in Copacabana, of course. I would go to 00 at night, but there is also the LK3 party with DJ Roland Belmares at Clube Israelita.

Now all the boys have to do is pray that it will not be raining as it was lat year. Remember to email pictures if you are there.

UPDATE: The Freemasons had to cancel their show at The Week due to a delay in obtaining visas. DJ Peter Rauhofer has been confirmed instead.

Go-go Madness At The Pool Party

I love the kickboxing shorts the go-go boys were wearing at The Week this past weekend. Since I failed to capture some of them on camera on Saturday, I made up for it at the pool party on Sunday evening. More pictures and videos of the boys dancing after the jump.

Nova Pool Party At The Week

The extravaganza in São Paulo this weekend to celebrate the third anniversary of Brazil's gay church The Week continued on Sunday with a special edition of the Nova Pool Party. Because of how cold it was in the city, I thought some of the boys would stay home, but I was wrong. When I got to the club at around 5:30 pm, the outdoor area was jam packed, with go-go boys dancing on scaffoldings and shirtless boys (enduring the cold) all over the place.

If the videos above look nothing like a pool party, it is because I was there until 9 pm.

The Brazilian Gay Mecca Turns 3 With DJ Offer Nissim

Owner Andre Almada and the entire staff at São Paulo's nightclub The Week are the best the country has to offer in terms of organization and professionalism, and it is no