Introducing: Teatro Municipal de São Paulo

Teatro Municipal viewed from the Praça Ramos de Azevedo 

The Teatro Municipal of Sao Paulo was inaugurated in 1911 and is one of the most important theaters in Brazil. It is often featured on postcards because of its historical importance as a venue for the Semana da Arte Moderna (Modern Art Week) in 1922. Also, it is a landmark of Modernism in Brazil, and is noted for its architectural style, inspired by the Paris Opera.

The theater often hosts opera concerts, ballet, string quartet performances among many others. It's worth a visit!

Service
What: Teatro Municipal de São Paulo
Where: Praça Ramos de Azevedo
Map view of the Theater: www.prefeitura.sp.gov.br/cidade/upload/Mapa
Buying tickets: www.ingressorapido.com.br/prefeitura
Phone: +55 (11) 3397-0300
Website: www.prefeitura.sp.gov.br/cidade/secretarias/cultura/teatromunicipal/

Introducing: Mosteiro de Sao Bento

Mosteiro de Sao Bento

Founded in 1598, the Mosteiro de São Bento (Monastery of St. Benedict) is an historic building of São Paulo. Of course that on the very beginning, it was just a tiny little house very different from the picture above. The construction of the current structure began in 1910 and ended on 1914 following the project of the architect Richard Berndl, from Munich, Germany. Now, the monastery houses the Monastic Cloister, the Basílica Abacial de Nossa Senhora da Assunção, St. Benedict's School and the College of St. Benedict.

Brazilian History
In 1641, Amador Bueno was acclaimed "King of Sao Paulo" in the aristocracy paulistana intention of proclaim the independence of Brazil. Afraid of being considered a traitor of the king of Portugal, took refuge in the Monastery of St. Benedict, asking for the protection of the monks. From the outside, the Paulistas shouted: "Save Amador Bueno, our king". From inside and afraid, he repeatedly answered, "Long live to our lord Dom João IV, king by whom I'll give my life."

The Pope Benedict XVI was received at this Monastery during his first visit to Brazil in 2007. The clock perched atop the main entrance of the Monastery triggers the bells that can be heard from many blocks away. The 6000 pipe organ is used every Sunday at 10 am during the mass that features Gregorian chanting.

Service
What: Mosteiro de São Bento
Where: Largo São Bento
When: During the week, from 06 am till 06 pm; Saturday and Sundays, from 06 am till midday.
Phone: +55 (11) 3328-8799
Website: www.mosteiro.org.br/

Introducing: Museu da Imagem e do Som (MIS)

Front door of the MIS

The Museu da Imagem e do Som (Museum of Image and Sound) was inaugurated in 1970 and was created on the intention of collect, record and preserve the sounds and the images of Brazilian culture.

The collection offers about 350 thousand of films (short, long and documentaries), records (depositions, interviews, debates, lectures and musical performances), photographs and a graphic designs. In addition to that, the museum organizes exhibitions, seminars, movie sessions and photography. There is also the LabMIS, a research center specialized on the production of new media created to support a group of resident artists.

Service
What: Museu da Imagem e do Som - MIS
Where: Avenida Europa, 158
When: Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am till 06 pm
Phone: +55 (11) 30629197
Website: www.mis.sp.gov.br/

Introducing: Santa Cecilia's Church

Saint Cecilia's Church

Despite the elaborate artwork of the Santa Cecília's church took ten years to be completed and was finally delivered in 1917, its construction started in 1899 and was just inaugurated on November 22, 1901 on the day of Saint Cecilia. The paintings were completed by the well known artist Benedito Calixto (name of a famous square of Sao Paulo which hosts every Saturday an eccentric street market. Click here to find out more). Oscar Pereira da Silva, designed the central and side domes of the church. The neighborhood surrounding the church received its name. The subway station Santa Cecilia (Line 3-Red) is located right in front of the church and was inaugurated in 1983.

Service
What: Igreja de Santa Cecília
Where: Largo Santa Cecília - Sao Paulo
When: Monday to Friday, from 7 am till 7 pm; Saturday, from 9 am till 8 pm; Sunday, from 7:30 am till 8:30 pm
Phone: +55 (11) 3331-5195
Website: www.paroquiasantacecilia.com.br/

Creative video-advertisement campaign in Sao Paulo puts a smile on your face

Sao Paulo is very famous for its transit issues. Thousand of cars cause dozens of kilometers of traffic jam every single day in town. Most of the drivers listen radio for hours, while they are stuck on the streets.

This video-advertisement [Portuguese] was published by a Brazilian company called Brastemp in São Paulo. They transmitted the same message on 11 different radio stations at the same time, asking for people to smile for the driver of the car on their side. It quickly became a contagious trend and everybody started to smiling to everyone. That was an admirable and creative way of input something good into the tough routine of many Paulistanos. Congratulations!

Introducing: Museu Afro Brasil

Afro Brazil Museum

Located at the Pavilion Padre Manoel da Nóbrega, the Museu Afro Brasil celebrates historical, artistic and cultural influences of Africa in Brazil and was inaugurated in 2004.

photo: nelson kon

The building is part of the architectural project of the Ibirapuera Park designed by Oscar Niemeyer in the 1950s. There you can find about four thousand pieces including; paintings, sculptures, prints, documents and photographs. The museum highlights topics like: religion, art, work, African Diaspora and slavery. The collection also tracks the historical trajectory of African influences in Brazilian society and the development of the country, featuring pieces that date back to the 15th century. This museum highlights important aspects of the origins of Brazilian culture.

Service
What: Museu Afro Brasil
Where: Avenida Pedro Alvares Cabral - Pavilhão Padre Manoel da Nobrega - Parque Ibirapuera – Portão 10
When: Tuesday to Sunday; from 10 am till 05 pm
Phone: +55 (11) 3320-8900
Website: www.museuafrobrasil.org.br/

Photo exhibition highlights the importance of photojournalism

Young at the Bridge - Germany; by Raymond Depardon

The book store Instituto Moreira Salles from the Livraria Cultural, located at the Conjunto Nacional building opens an exhibition titled "Magnum Contact Sheets". It was organized by Latinstock, an official representative of the Magnum agency in Brazil, and brings 39 images published by "Magnum - Contacts", with records accompanying the rise of the illustrated press and the professionalization of photojournalism. Check it out!

Service
What: Magnum Contact Sheets
Where: Avenida Paulista, 2073
When: November 6th to January 6th. Monday to Saturday, from 9 am till 10 pm; Sunday, from midday till 8 pm
Phone: +55 (11) 3170-4033