#18

Wake Rio: a Lagoon lesson        

One of the wonders of the city, the Lagoon Rodrigo de Freitas appears as a great option to practice some summer sports, like wakeboard. Splash!!! 

The hoven is on! Oh yeah, the summer arrived, and for what it seems, it not only came to shine, but to burn. Beaches and streets crowded, traffic is blocked, and that sensation of trance in complete chaos and a heat so strong that can fuc** up anyone. What about the lagoon? Oh yes the lagoon. Once owned by the portuguese Rodrigo de Freitas still enlightens as some sort of Oasis in the heart of Rio de Janeiro.  Apart from being only a postcard scenery, it also comes up as the ideal option to practice some sports. Especially, if you're into an adventure: a wakeboard session, also known as the "Professor Marquinhos Lesson".

Although not very well treated, our lagoon of salty water has become a trademark for the city. Not even the young man from the portuguese cavalry could imagine or justify such tribute. The fact is that, nowadays its disputed by  sportsmen of regatta, naval clubs, paddle (why not?) and by the furious motorboat of Rio Wake Center, the name of the "school", a project of Marquinhos. “I practised all modalities of water skying in the USA, plus slalom and barefoot. However, after I was familiar with "wake", I wanted to take this sport to Rio, since it was very poorly explored" states the instructor and pilot of the motorboat.

“Playboy Sport!”, we can even get it. But such prejudice is justified by the lack of conditions to purchase the board and other expensive items demanded by the sport, such as the motorboat. But, actually to be able to slide in the lagoon waters, "workout your physical condition and have a good dosage of emotion and maybe give it a go on the tricks" as described by the professor. R$200 reais/hour (with all equipment included) are worth it, even more if you divided it with friends (good suggestion). Which means that your twenty minutes can cost R$50, almost the price of the massage you're gonna need after your lesson! Prepare yourself for the falls!

Besides getting to know the lagoon from the inside, with diapers and fishes includes, have a few falls and go for a boat ride, the class of professor Marquinho is valid for the mystic lessons learned. For those who are interested in sport, is a great opportunity to learn, as the specialist in the topic says: "To have the opportunity to practice wakeboard in one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world, in the heart of Rio it's a privilege. I guarantee that even for people who have never practice wake before, will be able to improve in a few minutes. The pupils always go satisfied and broken, but they still come back" jokes around Marquinhos! Let's check it out!! Good after massage!!

Book: http://www.riowakecenter.com.br/

Email: riowakecenter@riowakecenter.com.br / riowakecenter2008@hotmail.com

cel: 99767147

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#17

Z.BRA Hostel: a year of success

To celebrate its first year of existence, the most "beloved" city hostel gathers with Noon to make a unique party, this saturday (17/12), at 4 p.m., in 00.

Celebrating a year of a lot of work, success and existence, Z.BRA Hostel unites to well-known project Noon, from the most demanded couple of DJ's Flow & Zeo, to celebrate a unique party, which you surely don't want to miss out, this saturday (17/12). The spark will be set after the beach, but it will be set on fire by 16h, in 00, with resident DJ´s and more: Dubshape (SP), (Alê Reis and João Lee), Pedro Mezonatto and Bernardo Campos, both from Molotov 21.

If Z.BRA Hostel walls could speak, Oh well they would have several stories to tell, even more knowing that it used to be a spiritual centre. After a carefully thought and daring  plan, the space changed, gain a new identity and nowadays, its more spiritual, a house that receives well travellers from all corners of the world. In only a year, the "Brasil with Z" or the "Z in Brazil" stole the scene, gain notoriety and recognition and became one of the most beloved hostels in Rio, the most fancy that's for sure (without a zebra). 

From the interest and friendship of four "brothers" (Breno Novaes, Emir Bechepeche Jr, Michel Asseff Filho e Raphael Azulay), Z.BRA Hostel was born, raised and fastened upon one of the most coveted corners of Leblon. "The idea was to make a hostel which at the same level of standards of the neighbourhood, we din't want towels hanged on the windows" jokes Emir. "We created almost everything, the whole concept. At the beginning, we wanted to make something like a tropical paradise, although, in the end, we went for something more modern, without being futuristic." completes Breno. 

The decoration, coordinated by Le Modiste, from Lilli Kessler and Sol Azulay, uses a lot the retro concept, something that differentiates Z.BRA from other hostels. "We wanted to use a mix between retro and modern to break the futuristic image. We wanted something different, but without losing the carioca sight", states Breno. With an ambience all planned out, the way was to release the boat and paddle. "At the beginning, it was tense. We opened 5 days before new year's, full house a lot of complications. But, it was a learning experience, today we offer a better service. We have gain experience", says Emir. 

After a year of experiences, Z.BRA Hostel has enough reasons to celebrate and also to expect more. "We were blown away with all the spontaneous acceptance, all that success and care, it just gives us the desire to be a part of this project forever and improve even more, being more efficient", reiterates Michel. For those who want to have a closer look at the hostel, better hope that the world doesn't end, since there is only availability for 2012. “The trend now is just to grow, come along!", concludes Breno. 

Obs: Special hugs to all Z.BRA staff, who were mentioned here but the names are not visible. Congrats, really!!!! 

Check the party teaser Z.BRA (click here)

00 - Av. Padre Leonel Franca, 240 - (Planetário) Gávea

More informations: www.zbrahostel.com
Av. Gen. San Marti 1212, Leblon

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#16

Hype Fair: back to Babilônia 

After four years, Babilônia Hype Fair returns, justifying the waiting period, revealing a lot more, this next weekend (17 e 18/12), at the Jockey Club.

After four gap years the Babilonia Hype Fair - an event that consecrated its concept and brands such as: Farm, Via Mia and Espaço Fashion. – attracted a real crowd of cariocas and tourists in its weekend debut. It showed that a lot has changed since those fifteen years of circus tents. Alternative fair? Don't think so, maybe back in the days. It's a "barn of creative economy translated into different types of art". For those who are curious and want to check it out, the "fair" will remain open until the 17 and 18/12, from 14h  to 22h, at  the Jockey Club. The entry is R$ 10, but it's worth the bet!

Organized by Fernando Molinari and Robert Guimarães, the Babilônia Hype Fair return to its activity with a more urban look and a bigger structure. From the outside, it even looked like Cirque Du Soleil. Besides shows (with a specific arena), radio, workshops, DJs and several works from different visual artists, the fair has 220 exhibitors, of which 95% are presenting their brands for the first time. The idea is to introduce new trends, in fashion, decoration and design, something that justifies the chit-chatting.

Famous for revealing successful brands, ten became chains of stores, the Babilônia Hype Fair, in its comeback edition, received more than a thousand applications, which translates into a "new generation of entrepreneurs" as Molinari says. Despite the different proprosals and works, the demand was basically  just one: low prices. “Not everything is really cheap, but they have different stuff, that you can't find at average shops", points out Felipe Pádua, one of the visitors. In what concerns the present crowd (crowed), the advertiser ironically adds: “ Hype is more than mainstream”.

On the fashion walls - a Fair named hype couldn't leave out a space for "street art". Actually, it has became more and more popular in events, and with lot to talk about, however the graffitis were there before the exhibitors. But, on the inside, the space was very well seized and represented by 30 selected artists, among them: Instituto Rua (Márcio Bunnys, La Selva, Marcelo Macedo, Combone Wesley and others), Riot de Janeiro, Rafo Castro and Alexandre Cavalcanti; Airá “O Crespo” and Marcelo La Marca, at the workshop (Super Spray), among others.

Hoping that the Babilônia Hype Fair returns soon, maybe this time to stay. In march, the event will have another edition and the tendency is to grow. In fact, the producers just sealed a partnership with  Sebrae Rio, Riotur and the local and state cultural secretaries.
If the "Beast people eater" - a sculpture from Alexandre Cavalcanti, entitled "Pre-Historic Now. Furious Animals"-, knew about this, he would be happy and waiting, just like the carioca audience.

More informations about the Babilônia Hype Fair:
http://www.babiloniafeirahype.com.br/bloghype/

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