POR AÍ

Sambaing with Clara

Dead in 1982 as the result of a medical malpractice, when she was in her prime, Clara Nunes, the greatest female sambista Brazil ever had, is back to life singing duos with some of her favorite composers. The just-released CD is entitled Clara Nunes: ComVida a play with convida (she invites) and com vida (with life, alive). Among those participating in the magic duos are Chico Buarque, Milton Nascimento, Paulinho da Viola, Martinho da Vila, Nana Caymmi, Elba Ramalho and Gilberto Gil. Paulo César, the man who was her producer and husband, writes on the liner notes to the CD: "This was a wrenching disc to make. There was such emotion in the studio. Some cried. Others recast their vocals several times. All were moved." ComVida is being released in the US by Hemisphere.

Holy parties

San Francisco Bay Area residents have the chance to spend a heavenly evening with the saints Saturday, June 22, when the Bay Area Brasilian Club holds its annual Festa Junina (June Celebration) at the arraial (hamlet) of Lorena Simers in Atherton. Now in its fifth year, the event has become increasingly bigger, better and more popular. Brazilians and non-Brazilians alike have been eager to dance forró and quadrilha (square dance) and to taste pipoca (popcorn), canjica (white maize soup with milk and sugar), amendoim (peanut) and bolinho de milho (corn cake) all traditionally part of the event. Many even arrive in comical Festa Junina costumes. For the first time there will be a sanfoneiro (accordion player). He is Brazilian Tatagiba. More information? Call (415) 334-0106.

Meat know how

It was on April 1995 during a Tribute to Tom Jobim at the Lincoln Center in New York that Italian-Brazilian Alberico Campana had the great idea of starting a Brazilian barbecue house in the Big Apple. After the show, he and a group of Brazilians couldn't decide on where to go to get a churrasco (barbecue). Campana is the owner of churrascaria Plataforma, Jobim's favorite restaurant in Rio. The original meat house has become a spot for artists, musicians and Bohemians who love red meat. The Plataforma New York (49th Street at 8th Avenue) is importing seven Brazilians to work in the kitchen and promises to be a piece of Rio in the New York with chope (draft beer) and specialties like picanhas, maminhas and chicken hearts for the connoisseur. Another renowned Carioca (from Rio) restaurant is also doing business in the US. It is the Porcão (Big Pig) which opened a place for 300 people earlier this year in Miami.