Sao Paulo will host the Rotary International Convention in 2015

São Paulo won the competition for the 2015 Rotary International Convention, which is expecting about 40 thousand participants.

São Paulo competed in the final round with other tough destinations such as Houston and Phoenix (USA), but won unanimously by 13 votes. The event will be at the largest convention and exhibition center of the continent, the Anhembi Park.

The event will be prepared for a great number of participants (40 thousand people are expected) among registered by the International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA). Nowadays, São Paulo leads the international ranking of hosting events in America. "The victory, strengthens the position of São Paulo as one of the best destinations for events of this matter", comments Caio Luiz de Carvalho, the president of São Paulo Turismo (SPTuris). "We must also remember that in 2015 the city will be even better because the work of urban mobility that will be made for the 2014 World Cup," he added.

São Paulo has already hosted this meeting in 1981 when it's received 17 thousand people from 94 different countries. Last year the event happened in Los Angeles and, this year in Birmingham. The next editions will be in Montreal (2010), New Orleans (2011), Bangkok (2012), Lisbon (2013) and Sydney (2014).

Vik Muniz: Masp hosts his biggest exhibition ever

Vik Muniz is one of the greatest Brazilian artists internationally well known, nowadays. Previously seen by 48 thousand people in Rio, came to São Paulo as tremendous success.

Already presented in U.S., Canada and Mexico, the exhibition came to Masp with 131 pieces that show every moment of his career. The images comes from his earlier periods when he used to paint with chocolate, diamonds (used to portray the recent series Celebrity) and his most recent artworks series called ‘Pictures Of Garbage’, produced by an organization of objects found in the trash, which makes an image to be photographed from above.

His curious career started in New York, 25 years ago when a critic from the The New York Times discovered the artist. Coincidently or not, Masp Museum had last month, the largest quantity of visitors in 10 years. This exhibition runs till July 12th.

Service
Where: Av. Paulista, 1578 - Bela Vista - São Paulo - SP
When: From now till July 12th.
Phone: (11) 3251 5644
How much: R$ 15 and R$ 7 (students). Free for under 10 and above 60. Also free every Tuesday.
Website: www.masp.art.br

Saturday Eccentric Market at Benedito Calixto square

One of the best ways to spend the weekend in Sao Paulo is to visit one of its markets, typical in any neighborhood. Saturday is the time of Benedito Calixto Market. It takes place in the square with the same name in Pinheiros, between Cardeal Arcoverde Street and Teodoro Sampaio Street (famous for musical instruments shops). The Market has different interesting spots. At the square, it’s possible to meet ordinary people selling old-fashion stuff, from sunglasses to colored telephones, passing through books, pictures and everything else. Walking around the market it is possible to find also old artisans, especially making leather shoes and bags. One I would suggest is an old funny man (photo) that makes leather shoes, both for man and woman. Very few models but the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever had. You shouldn't miss it! His smile is contagious. In the middle of the square is the food court. My suggestion is the Arabic food. A tiny woman prepares the best cabbage and rice roll ever. But the choice is bigger: Portuguese and Bahian (one of the Brazilian states territory) food, traditional pastel, Argentinean ‘empanadas’ and much more. It is a meeting point starting from 2:30pm when a show of “chorinho” makes everyone happier. Finally, at one side of the square, there is an area dedicated to the new fashion stylists, where girls just go crazy. There are plenty of very nice clothes and accessories for quite reasonable prices. Everywhere around the square it is full of bars and pubs to have a drink and the atmosphere is very young and cool. Not so famous within tourist, it really worth to have a look!

Service
Where: Praça Benedito Calixto, n/n - Jardim Paulista - São Paulo - SP
When: Every Saturday, from 9am till 7pm.

Siga La Vaca: Great value for money

There is a good value for money option to have dinner in Sao Paulo. Called "Siga la vaca", this restaurant got inspiration in a good Argentinean restaurant chain with the same name. Siga la vaca offers 5 different rooms, being 3 karaoke rooms, balcony and living room. At the menu, it's possible to find cold and hot snacks, among a big range of options. Young and beautiful people fill up the place to have the huge beer tower at the balcony. Nice place!

Service
Where: Rua Canuto do Val - 97 - Santa Cecília - São Paulo - SP
When: Monday to Friday, from 6pm till the last costumer; Saturday, Sunday and holiday, from 11h30am till the last costumer.
Phone: (11) 3224-0586
How much: Average R$ 35 per person.
Website: http://www.biroska.com.br/sigalavaca/

Parrilla

Is it quantity or quality? If you want to try some good meat but does not have a good place to address this desire, this is the accurate place. Located in a quiet corner of Moema, La Ventana offers delicacies typically Argentinean, such as Parrilla Porteña for a good price in a charmer spot. Let your appetite in the hands of the chiefs parrilleros and don’t be shy of asking which kind of wine fits well with your choice. Buen provecho! [jorge colombo by B-Coolt]

Service
Where: Rua Tuim, 61, Moema

When: Monday to Friday, from 11h30am to 16:00 and 18h30 till 1am; Saturday, Sunday and holida, from 11h30am till 1am.
Phone: 11-5051-8237 / 5051-1733

How much: Around R$ 50 per person.
Website: http://www.laventanaparrilla.com.br/

Bloody pub

Rua Augusta is a really nice place to be. To reinforce it, here is nice place to have some drinks: Z Carniceria. It’s an old butcher/slaughterhouse from 50’s. As an intention to save the charm of this legendary street, the same owners of the Vegas Nightclub decided to transform it in a thematic pub. In paradox, most of the dishes are vegetarian (despite that some of them, still bringing the pleasures of the flesh). Some of the exclusive drinks are also into this butcher purpose and come with their names associated with the theme, such as: Blood Marry, Mad Butcher, Bloody Summer, Baby Beef (all these names are in English). The music comes from on-line radios and the sound style is Rockabilly, Blues and Jazz from New Orleans. Their website is pretty nice and this is undoubted a nice place for overseas. Try it on!

Service
Where: Rua Augusta, 934 – Bela Vista – São Paulo/SP
Phone: (11) 2936.0934
When: Tuesday to Saturday from 7pm till 2am. Sundays and holidays from 5pm till midnight.
Price: It's for free to get in.
Website: www.zcarniceria.com.br

Organic and Vegan restaurant

For those who are traveling into São Paulo, the restaurant Cachoeira Tropical is a great advice. That's a incredible value for money meal managed by a family that leads an organic and vegan cause. Offering daily 15 hot dishes, 18 salad types, 10 desserts (among diet and non diet), 4 fruit types of the season and 2 flavors of juice, everything costs just R$ 14 per person during the week. This restaurant deserves all the compliments. The service is really simple and fast because it's fully self-service (as much as you want) restaurant. It's possible to pick up food whenever you want, change plates, and refill the juice glass forever if you are up too. After the banquet, it's possible to find tea, coffee made by fresh smashed beans and even cachaça, sometimes. That's the tip of the InsideSãoPaulo Team. We are always around to make sure it is still wonderful. Have a try!

Service
Where: Rua João Cachoeira, 275 Itaim Bibi - Sao Paulo - SP
Phone: (11) - 31675211
When: Monday to Friday from 11:00 am to 15:00 pm. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 11:30 to 16:00.
Price: Monday to Friday R$ 14, Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays R$ 16 (Prices per person all inclusive).
Website: http://www.cachoeiratropical.com.br/