Author: Aula Viva

Lampião & Maria Bonita – Meet the Cangaceiros from the Brazilian Sertão

When I was eight  I saw this TV series based upon a true story called Lampião e Maria Bonita. It took place in the dry lands of Brazilian Sertão, a bit similar to –and not far from- the region of Crisópolis, where grandpa Octavio had settled alone in a house, in the middle of nowhere, after leaving the big city once and for all. I remember having cherry tomato wars with my siblings, picking cotton from the trees in his backyard and eating his polenta. I also remember looking at the moon from the porch and feeling overwhelmed by its power, its mystery, and by the fact that it surely knew everything about my future (but it wouldn’t tell me). In terms of landscapes, I am not sure where the memories of this TV series end and where those from my childhood at grandpa Octavio’s little ranch begin.

Luísa Maita: Street Smart Brazilian Music

I recently fell in love with the music of Luísa Maita. Her first album Lero-Lero is as street smart as it gets. Do you know what lero-lero means? It means a casual conversation without a goal in mind; or simply chit-chat. How could I not love this album? Lero-Lero has a marked urban characteristic. Having […]

Meet Brazilian Theater Legend: Cacilda Becker

Ladies and gentlemen, senhoras e senhores!

Let me introduce you to one of Brazil’s most important stage artists… Cacilda Becker!

Born in 1921 in the city of Pirassununga in the state of São Paulo, raised by her mother along with 2 sisters and with very little money, Cacilda became one of the biggest names in the history of Brazil and Brazilian theater. She left us early, at age 48, while on stage: At the end of the first act of the play Waiting for Godot, Cacilda had a stroke. She had been working as an actress for 30 years.