segunda-feira, 28 de março de 2011

ENJOY IT! - Ozzy Osbourne in São Paulo

This tip is for fans of classic Heavy Metal genre. "The Prince of Darkness," Ozzy Osbourne, returns to Brazil for a series of concerts in five cities. The concerts are part of the promotional tour of the singer's latest album, Scream (Epic Records) and his latest single "Live Will Not Wait."




The concerts will be held in São Paulo Anhembi Arena on April 2 at 21:30.
On the site www.vagalume.com.br you have lyrics, music, chords and much more



Enjoy it!

TRAVEL GUIDE - New York

Every month we choose a country, city and give travel tips, its cooking, what's more interesting to do and see and who wants to improve your English, tips of where to study.
First destination will be New York City.





When to go?
The best time of year to travel to New York City is from late spring to early summer (June to mid July) and late summer to early fall (September to mid October).
In these months the weather is more pleasant, neither too hot nor too cold.
Another advantage is that the cost of travel is much smaller for both hosting and airfare.
And the city is beautiful with many flowers in spring and autum with yellow and red leaves, because New York is a heavily forested.

Where to go? What to do there?
Prepare an agenda with main events, fairs, exhibitions coming up in New York, is a clever tip for your trip. See the schedule of events on the official tourism website of New York, www.nycvisit.com/calendar-of-events. And in Portuguese this site is wonderful, www.vamosparanovayork.com/passeios.htm.


sexta-feira, 18 de março de 2011

AUTHORS - Elizabeth Bishop (08/02/1911 - 2011)

This year, American poet Elizabeth Bishop would be celebrating her 100th birthday (08/02/1911- 1979).

She is considered one of the greatest poets of the twentieth century. She won many awards and toured the world. She lived for 20 years here in Brazil, in Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais.
The Alumni Libraries have the complete works of collected poems and prose. We also have a play about the poet: A Port for Elizabeth Bishop.



sexta-feira, 11 de março de 2011

HOLIDAYS - ST. Patrick’s Day!


In the United States and Great Britain, the Irish communities celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17. The Irish community in the United States is very big.
Who was St. Patrick and why is he important to the Irish?




Patrick was born in Britain in 389 AD. When he was 16 years old he was captured and taken to Ireland. He became a slave. After 6 years Patrick escaped to France by ship. There he became a priest. He returned to Ireland as a bishop in 432 AD. He converted most of the Irish to Christianity. There are legends about St. Patrick. One legend says that he banished all the serpents from Ireland. Another legend says that he used a shamrock to teach the Irish about the Trinity. Today the shamrock is still a symbol of Ireland and the Irish. On March 17 there are big parades in most American cities in honor of the Irish. Many shops and restaurants are decorated with green shamrocks.

ENGLISH TIPS - STEAL X ROB

You steal things but you rob people, places


sexta-feira, 4 de março de 2011

HOLIDAYS - Carnival around the world


Brazil: The celebration is supposed to go on from the Saturday before Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) until Mardi Gras Day, but in some Brazilian cities the celebration can last seven or eight days. People celebrate on the street, dancing with samba schools, or in ballrooms.



Bolivia: Bolivia has carnival parades for children and adults in the streets. Most everyone gets wet from water balloons and water buckets.


Caribbean Islands: There are multiple carnival celebrations in Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti, like marching bands, crowning a Calypso King or Monarch and "Playing Mas"/Masquerade, a masquerade ball.




Venice, Italy: Many events are held in the canals, including shows, concerts, dances and water processions with masked rowers and decorated boats.

Cadiz, Spain: They celebrate with papier mâché figures and satirical songs copied from Venice’s celebration.

Germany: Carnival is called as "Fastnacht". There is a big parade through the main street.

New Orleans, USA: Celebrations are concentrated for about two weeks before and through Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras in French). Usually there is one major parade and several large parades each day. The parades in New Orleans are organized by Carnival krewes. Krewe float riders toss throws to the crowds; the most common throws are strings of plastic colorful beads.