Travel & Entertainment
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Rio de Janeiro Beauty Abound
Brazilians are known to say “Deus e Brasilero’ (God is
Brazilian), and once you’ve experienced Rio’s sensuality, its blazing
energy, the startling beauty surrounding you, it’s easy to see why. The
appeal of this magical city is not only in its natural and cultural
riches but also in its convivial people who are proud of their culture
while remaining genuinely welcoming of others. A team of social
psychologists have rated Rio’s 6 million Cariocas amongst the
friendliest in the world after a six-year study in which New York ranked
towards the bottom.
Around the time that the Portuguese claimed Brazil in 1500, ships that sailed past Sugar Loaf into Guanabara Bay mistook the fast current as indicative of a river mouth and logged it as “Rio de Janeiro” (River of January). Today, although this seductive destination is popular for its Carnaval season around February, it’s important to remember that Rio has something magical to offer all year long and in many cases, visiting Rio without the pressures of its bacchanalian festival may be the best time to take advantage of its sights and hospitality.
Its attractions include the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado (hunchback) Mountain, a peak 2,330 feet high from which Rio reveals itself to you like an indulgent lover. Not to be missed is also a two-part journey on panoramic cable cars that transport you atop the huge granite, vertical rock known as Sugar Loaf, dividing the Atlantic Ocean and Guanabara Bay. You are first taken to Urca Hill (770 feet high) where a playground, outdoor theater, restaurant and even a discotheque provide entertainment. A second cable car ride lands you on Sugar Loaf, 1,300 above sea level from where you can encounter Brazilian monkeys, view some of its 37 beaches and quite literally glimpse forever.
Even a typical day in the city can be a vibrant affair whether you catch the sunset while sipping caipirinhas on Ipanema Beach, sway to the beat of the samba clubs in Lapa, or just take the cobblestoned paths to Rua do Lavradio and sift through antique stores that turn into jazz clubs at night. It’s no wonder that the Cariocas think of Rio as the ‘City of God.’ One only has to look up at the Redeemer, gracefully looking down upon Rio or consider the beauty in the surroundings and its people to realize that God’s never been as generous as he has with Rio de Janeiro.
GETTING THERE
From Los Angeles to Miami (where you can hop onto TAM) fly American Airlines Business Class for top-notch service that kick-starts your vacation. For the third consecutive year, AA was the only U.S. carrier to receive a (2004) Five Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Services and nowhere is this more apparent than in their interaction with the client. AA.com is a valuable resource for reservations, upgrades and specials offers.
TAM Brazilian Airlines 1-888-2 FLY TAM
Operating an impressive fleet of 53 state-of-the-art airbus aircrafts, TAM prides itself in offering unsurpassed luxury and comfort. In TAM’s Business Class hospitality exceeds your expectations. Business Class seats recline 180° and feature video screens, telephone/fax sets and hookups for laptops. There is enough room to do the samba and “well being in the air” concept includes a specially prepared menu supported by the renowned French Chef Jean Paul Bondoux (La Bourgogne) and the involvement of Chefs from around the world like the Grand Hyatt Paris, Loews Miami Beach Hotel and Hyatt Regency Santiago. Start with a Mango, Pineapple and Cashew Nut Salad, Palm Heart Cream and impressive entrée choices including Fillet Mignon with Fine Herbs Creamy Sauce, Salmon served with Soba Pasta or Chicken Fillet with Date Crust and Port Wine. Passengers choose from a wine list beginning with Möet Chandon Brut Imperial champagne and followed by select white & red wines of Chile & Argentina.
WHERE TO STAY / EAT & DRINK
Marina All Suites Av. Delfim Moreira, 696 Leblon – Rio de Janeiro
Marina All Suites is part of the prestigious Epoque Hotels group that boasts over a 170 boutique hotels worldwide and offers valuable promotions and rates through their website.
The most coveted boutique hotel on Rio’s Leblon Beach is a haven for celebrities and the hip set. Intimate and classy, the renowned hotel offers superior service without the stuffiness. A spectacular rooftop pool overlooks the beach and azure waters, there is a private lounge to entertain visiting guests, and a mini movie theatre provides in-house entertainment.
As a bonus, one of Rio’s hottest night spots, Bar D’Hotel floats on the 2nd Floor and can confidently boast of the sexiest ambiance, the headiest cocktail made with Absinthe and champagne, and hands-down the tastiest rump-meat burger you’ve ever had! So even though the famous churrascarias and seafood establishments like Satyricon beckon, you may actually end submitting to the charms of this trendy, Buddha Bar-esque abode repeatedly. The hotel’s 8 designer suites are amongst the city’s best so it’s no wonder that the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Giselle Bundchen, Leo DiCaprio and Natasha Beddingfield flock to this haven.
- Ghalib Dhalla
CELLULOID
Long Live ‘The Dying Gaul’
In his brilliant and unconventional film, playwright and screenwriter Craig Lucas (The Secret Lives of Dentists, Prelude To A Kiss, Longtime Companion) thrusts us into the lives of struggling screenwriter Robert Sandrich (Sarsgaard), his sexually avaricious producer Jeffrey (Scott) who makes him an offer of a lifetime, and his compassionate and emotionally unfulfilled wife Elaine (the divine Patricia Clarkson). What makes Gaul perhaps one of the most memorable examples of its genre is that it treads into territory where most of its acceptance-hungry indie siblings haven’t dared to go in recent years. With a complete disregard for hybrid expectations and audience approval, Gaul looks harrowingly at the corruption and betrayal rife in Hollywood’s creative process and the lives of its elite.
The Dying Gaul - Holedigger Studios LLC/Strand Releasing – Starring Peter Sarsgaard, Campbell Scott, Patricia Clarkson.
A Neighborly Tribute
Since 1968, ‘Mr.
Roger’s Neighborhood’ song-filled show has been a staple in
children’s television. Fred Rogers, in his soft-spoken manner, would
ask his viewers, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”. To put in perspective
the impact that Mr. Rogers had on American culture, the third
After watching Mr. Rogers perform one of his songs on his children’s series, Grammy and Emmy award winner producer/composer Dennis Scott was surprised to learn that no major recording artist had ever covered his material. That was about to change.
Songs from the Neighborhood
What is surprising is that every major label was contacted, but as it turned out, no one wanted to commit. Eventually finding a home at Memory Lane Syndication, the project would take two years to complete and the only thing that could top the experience was a phone call from Joanne Rogers, the widow of Fred Rogers who told Dennis, “I can’t even tell you how full my heart is right now. He (Fred) would love it. I love every song with all my heart.”
And, as Dennis says, “that makes the journey all worthwhile”
-Warner Alas
www.songsfromtheneighborhood.com
PAGES
Latin Grammy's
The 6th Annual Latin Grammy's returned to Los Angeles and drew musical artists from around the world, including Grammy nominees Elefante, who performed to a capacity crowd on the eve of the awards ceremony at the Rumba Room. Nominee Bebe visited Suite De Las Estrellas at the Meridian Hotel the day of the awards before taking home the Latin Grammy for Best New Artist. The artists weren't the only winners, bags that were hand-painted and signed by celebrities and nominees were to be auctioned off for charity.
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