PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE  

Dear Members:

Congratulations, CCBU members: the Brazil-USA Cultural Center of Florida, earned one more Brazilian International Press Award! The Brazil Pavilion at the Miami Book Fair International, was recognized by the popular and the Electoral Council vote as the winner in the Category "Event that Best Disseminated Brazilian Culture", in 2006. This award belongs to all of you, who are invited by the creator and organizer of the award, the journalist Carlos Borges, to participate and celebrate, this important recognition, at the big party of April 14, at the Parker Playhouse, in Fort Lauderdale.

Continuing the celebration theme, we are preparing an exciting party in commemoration of the Cultural Center’s tenth anniversary - a cocktail at the beautiful garden of historic Villa Woodbine, in Coconut Grove, on May 17th. The theme of the night will be the celebration of the past ten years accomplishments and the establishment of CCBU's legacy for the future. Don’t miss this unique and spectacular event!

In last month's newsletter, I introduced the benefit and incentives program for CCBU's members. This program recognizes all the support we have received from you and at the same time, is a celebration of our members. This will also be a fantastic opportunity to advertise our members' services and products. In this newsletter you will already find some interesting offers and discounts for CCBU' s members only. I take this opportunity to invite all of our members to participate in this exciting program.

Cordially.

Adriana Riquet Sabino 

CCBU WINS SEVENTH BRAZILIAN INTERNATIONA PRESS AWARD

The Brazil-USA Cultural Center of Florida was the great winner of the Brazilian International Press Award, in the category "Event that Best Disseminated Brazilian Culture" in 2006 with the SALVADOR-BRAZIL PAVILION at the Miami Book Fair International. With seven BIPA, the Cultural Center is the record winner. This award is not only in recognition for CCBU but also for the dedication and support of all our members!

The Brazilian International Press Award was created ten years ago by the journalist Carlos Borges, to recognize and honor personalities, institutions and initiatives that promote Brazilian Culture and the Brazilian community that lives in the United States. Since 2000, it includes the category of "Lifetime Achievements Award". Some of the winners in this category personalities like the writers and Brazilian Academy of Letters, Nélida Piñon, João Ubaldo Ribeiro; composer Ivan Lins, singer Alcione, the basketball super champion Hortênsia, the boxer champion Popó.

With time, the Brazilian International Press Award became a celebration of the Brazilian way of being, stimulating the interaction and cohesion of the Brazilian communities of the different American states, because the nominees are chosen by popular vote and the winners among the five finalists in each category are picked by a group of journalists from several Brazilian communities in the United States.

The award ceremony is an impeccably produced and entertaining event which alternates the prizes with musical performances in a glamorous atmosphere.         

The big awards night, which until last year was presented at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts Center's Amaturo Theater, this year will be transferred to the newly renovated and bigger Parker Playhouse.                                                                                          

The creator and producer of the event, journalist Carlos Borges wants to honor all CCBU members and invite them as special guests of the Tenth Brazilian International Press Award.

CCBU WILL CELEBRATE ITS 10^th ANNIVERSARY ON MAY 17

On May 17, the Cultural Center will celebrate its tenth anniversary with a cocktail party in the gardens of Villa Woodbine, in Coconut Grove. The night's theme will be the commemoration of the successes and milestones of the past decade, the recognition of our partners and supporters and the establishment of the future's legacy.

It will be an elegant night, with good music, memories and friendship.

CCBU's LUNCHEON AT FAIRCHILD TROPICAL GARDEN -   April 19

It's spring time in Florida and CCBU invites its members and friends to enjoy Nature at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Thursday April 13. Our group will visit the spectacular Chihuly at Fairchild exhibition, by tram with a guide. Following the tour we will lunch al fresco.

The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is a garden dedicated to conservation and education. Since its inception in 1938, one of the world's largest tropical plant collections is displayed within the beautiful landscape designed by landscape architect William Lyman Phillips.

World-renowned artist Dave Chihuly is making an unprecedented return to Fairchild with a new and expanded installation of his magnificent art. The 2005-2006 Chihuly exhibition was a huge success and the 2007 exhibition marks the first time Dale Chihuly has ever exhibited in the same location twice. Bright, colorful and unique glass works are integrated with the lush tropical plants, making the visitors embark in a journey full of surprises.           

Our group will meet at 12:30 with the Fairchild Garden's hostess who will take us on a tram tour (45 minutes duration) through the gardens and exhibition. An outdoor luncheon will follow at 1:30 p.m.

Do not miss this unique event. Come and bring all your friends and family.

CCBU TOUR OF FAIRCHILD GARDENS AND CHIHULY EXHIBIT AND LUNCHEON

Thursday, April 19 - at Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden

                                10901 Old Cutler Road. Coral Gables

                                 www.fairchildgarden.org

 Group meets at 12:30 p.m. at North Entrance

 Tram tour begins promptly at 1 p.m. (lasts 45 min.)

 Tour ticket and luncheon:  CCBU MEMBERS: $ 37.00

                                         NON-MEMBERS:  $ 45.00

REPRESENTATIVE OF ADA MERRITT'S PORTUGUESE PROGRAM PARENTS AT CCBU'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The parents of Ada Merritt's Portuguese program's students nominated Mr. Sergio Chade as their representative in the Cultural Center. Sergio Chade, father of two Ada Merritt's students, was involved in the process of the creation of this prestigious program since its beginnings and attended the first information meeting organized by the Miami-Dade Public School System and CCBU, back in 2002 at the Riverside Elementary School.

CULTURAL CENTER AT FOCUS-BRAZIL 2007 - April 13

Formerly named Brazilian Communication Congress, this ambitious event returns to show how Brazilians around the world have been active in the cultural and media fields.

The journalist Carlos Borges, inspired by the Brazilian Forum created and presented by CCBU in 2005 at the Broward Main Library, presented last year the first and very successful  Brazilian

Communication Congress which convened Brazilian journalists, authors, marketing professionals and cultural entrepreneurs from several parts of the world.

SOME MILESTONES IN CCBU HISTORY

CCBU presented the Minas Gerais cuisine at Cadillac Hotel

In 1998 the Minas Gerais Gastronomy Festival at the Cadillac Hotel in Miami Beach was a resounding success.

Cantidio Lanna and Mazzô Pinto brought to Miami the best of the typical cuisine from the Minas Gerais State. During two days, guests sampled "tutu de feijão", "feijão tropeiro", "vaca atolada", "pão de queijo", " canjiquinha", "ambrosia" and a lot more.

In 1998 we sent our first newsletter to members.

NÉLIDA PIÑON LIBRARY is inaugurated in 1999

The inauguration of the Nélida Piñon Library was a milestone celebrated with a cocktail at the Library, then located in Coconut Grove, in the Consulate General of Brazil premises.

The library is named in honor of  the Brazilian Academy of Letters former President, former University of Miami professor, world renowned author and winner of prestigious literary awards, Nélida Piñon who inaugurated  the library. 

The library was the result of the joint efforts of CCBU members, especially Maria Tereza Wiesman, who coordinated the book donation campaign in Brazil. The Brazilian airline VASP generously transported 1.5 ton of books to Miami free of charge.

When inaugurated the Nélida Piñon library had a collection of approximately five thousand items - books, films, CD-ROMs, and other materials in Portuguese.

COMING PROGRAMS:

Friday, MARCH 30   - 8 p.m.      

GILBERTO GIL IN CONCERT

Knight Concert  Hall                    

Rhythm Foundation and Carnival Center for the Performing

at the Carnival Center for Arts present Brazilian music legend GILBERTO GIL in an

the Performing Arts.                 

As a celebration of CCBU's 10 anniversary, Rhythm Foundation offers a discount to CCBU members.

Are invited to a special post-concert party at Kary & Y.

MEMBERS:  $70.00 - orchestra level (non-members: $75.00)

$40.00 - second tier level (non-members:$45.00)

All CCBU ticket holders are invited to a post-concert party at

Glamorous new restaurant and lounge Karu & Y .

To purchase tickets email ccbu@bellsouth.net

Friday, APRIL 13 - 1:30 p.m.      

CCBU moderates Literature and Language panel at the Second Brazilian Communication Congress. 

New River Room                        

Broward Center for the Performing Arts - Fort Lauderdale

Keynote speaker: world renowned Andersen Award winner, Ana Maria Machado and Hans Christian  

Participants in the panel: Carmen Garcia, Principal of Ada Merritt School, home of the first English-Portuguese program; Prof. Steven Butterman, director of the Portuguese Program at University of Miami; Prof. Nick Shamway, Head of the Brazilian Center at University of Texas - Austin; Nancy Weintraub - Broward Center Public School System; Adriana Sabino, President of CCBU. Event open to CCBU members More information: www.pmmsite.com

*Saturday, APRIL 14 - 8 p.m.       

10th. BRAZILIAN INTERNATIONAL PRESS AWARD

CCBU is one of the winners and will receive its seventh trophy 

for the "Event that Best Disseminated Brazilian Culture" (Brazil

Pavilion at the 2006 Miami Book Fair).

Parker Playhouse                        

Fort Lauderdale                          

CCBU members are special guests (free event).

Sunday, APRIL 15 - 8 p.m.         

"BOSSA BEATS" Concert with Brazilian music icon ROBERTO MENESCAL. Special participation of singer Pery Ribeiro.

Parker Playhouse                     

Fort Lauderdale

Lovers of Bossa Nova cannot miss this opportunity!

Information and reservation at: www.pmmsite.com - info@pmmsite.com

**Thursday, APRIL 19 - 12:30 p.m   

CCBU Tour of CHIHULY AT FAIRCHILD and Luncheon

Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden.             

A special guided visit of the spectacular exhibit of Dave Chihuly's glass works installation at the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden.

10901 Old Cutler Road                   

Coral Gables                                    

TOUR & LUNCHEON

$ 37.00 ($45.00 - non-members)

Reservations: ccbu@bellsouth.net or 305-376-8864