Samba spirit

8/09/2010 10:24:00 a.m.

BRAZILIAN Leandro Cavalcanti came to New Zealand after reading about the country in National Geographic magazine.
“There was something about Wellington, and I had a good friend called Wellington, so that was a sign,” he says.
Cavalcanti arrived in the capital in 2000, worked in a café, and later at Rialto, Embassy and Paramount Theatres.
When Cavalcanti got a position as Trade and Cultural Promotions Officer with the Brazilian Embassy in Wellington his world changed.
“I worked there for four years and I was involved with the promotion and organisation of the Latin American Film Festival.”
Cavalcanti then relocated to Toronto to help set up a Brazilian film festival there.
After two years he shifted back to Wellington, and this year chose nine films to feature in the Reel Brazil film festival.
“[These] films reach out to ethnic communities such as Bollywood Dream which is set in India, but features many Brazilian actors,” he says.
Reel Brazil Film Festival, Paramount, September 9-September 15.

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Cover Story

Best of Wellington 2011

Fringe Festival

Briefs

From police to employers chamber
JOHN Wills has been appointed as interim chief executive of the Employers Chamber of Commerce (ECCC), effective immediately.
Save the Rhino
A concert this weekend features local performers including Jomba, Skapiti, and Siggy. It is part of an international awareness day to support the petition to the South African government to stop rhino poaching. The Waterfront, Marine Parade, Raumati Beach, 11 February.
Jazzy clouds
The first performance of jazz musician Mike Nock’s choral work Land of the Long White Cloud will be sung by the Orpheus Choir at Soundings Theatre, Te Papa, 18 February. It’s a free concert and only expected to last about 10minutes.
On board
CONRAD Smith, the new Hurricanes captain has rejoined the team after an extended RWC break, in time for the sellout pre-season game at Managatainoka this Saturday.
Share the vision, free
SIR Paul Callaghan a trustee of Zealandia, formerly the Karori bird sanctuary will give a talk about the vision and importance of the sanctuary for New Zealand. Rutherford House lecture theatre1, 5.40pm, February 13.
Indian art money
MORE than a dozen locals are showing and selling their art, at that well known art space, Betty’s Bar on Blair St, to fundraise for the Karunai Dhan primary school in India. From 5pm, February 10.
Star signs
INTERNATIONAL astrologer Faye Cossar, a former Wellingtonian is visiting the city to conduct workshops and a public talk. Cossar is unusual in that she holds a Masters degree in astrology. February 14.
The Great Outdoors
GREATER Wellington’s Great Outdoors summer events programme continues this week with a daughter, mother, grandmother mountain bike ride at Belmont Regional Park on February 12 and an evening guided walk from East Harbour Regional Park on February 8.
Swimming challenge
SWIMMERS looking for a challenge can take up the long-distance summer swim challenge at Wellington City Council pools.
Participants have until April 30 to swim or aquajog 53 kilometres, the distance equivalent to doing a circuit of Lake Mead in Nevada.
The distance covered is recorded by pool staff and there are spot prizes along the way.
On your skates
SOME of the world’s best skaters are in town for Bowl-a-Rama 2012, a week long celebration of skateboard culture.
The competition is at Waitangi Skate Park on February 11, but there are additional events throughout from February 8 to 12, including an art exhibition by local and international skateboarders at 15 Courtenay Place.
Safer outdoors
A new website has been created to make planning for safe outdoor activities easier.
AdventureSmart,org.nz provides safety information and support for those planning land, snow, water, boating and air activities.
Sommerfest
SOMMERFEST, Wellington’s family-friendly food and beer festival, takes place in the Worser Bay Boating Club on February 26.
The annual festival offers a range of boutique beers matched with great food tastes.
Breaking with tradition this year there will also be margaritas from 5pm.

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