A bit of Cuba in Brazil? You bet. Two founding members of Cuba’s famed Buena Vista Social Club begin a three-city tour this week in the land of samba and sun.

Percussionist Amadito Valdes, 63, and Barbarito Torres, 53, rehearsed last week in Havana for the upcoming tour. Valdes is a percussionist and Torres plays the Cuban lute. Concerts are planned for Sao Paulo, Refife, and Olinda beginning Sept. 1.

“We are going to play all of our traditional songs: son, danzon, bolero, all those things identified with Buena Vista Social Club,” Valdes told the Associated Press.

Many members of the original Buena Vista group have passed away in recent years and Valdes and Torres are some of the last remaining original members since American guitarist/music producer Ry Cooder brought Cuban musicians together in the ‘90s. Their self-titled album became an international hit launching the musicians to international stardom, creating an increased interest in traditional Cuban music. Some of performers later released successful solo albums as well.

A dozen musicians will back up the duo on the Brazilian tour. Two featured artists in the band include Valdes’s daughter Idania, 28, a singer and solo recording artist, and Teresa Garcia Caturla, an occasional singer with the Afro-Cuban All-Stars, another successful Cuban group.

With Brazil’s rich musical heritage, the group should receive a warm reception. What do you think?

– SEAN CHAFFIN

(updated 12:50 pm EST  September 8th, 2009)

It is perhaps the longest-running war in Brazilian history. Year after year, for decades, the battles are fought and heros have fallen.

We’re speaking of course, of the intense futebol rivalry that rages between Brazil and Argentina, and last week Argentina’s head coach, Diego Maradona threw gasoline on the fire when he  ’predictably’ predicted a victory over Brazil.

But, when the dust had settled, it was Brazil’s victory as they became the first South American nation to make it to the World Cup finals by defeating their old enemy Argentina 3-1 in the South American – League Group in Rosario. A brace by Luis Fabiano after a Luisao header opened the scoring helped the five-time world champions book their tickets to travel for South Africa next year. It confirmed Brazil’s qualification but leaves Argentina in fourth just two points ahead of the play-off places.

Argentina started attacking Brazil from the start, Lionel Messi going wide with a left-footed shot in the 13th minute to rouse the home crowd. However, it was the visitors who took the lead 11 minutes later when Luisao headed home a Kaka free-kick past the Albicelestes goalkeeper Mariano Andujar, according to a report filed with ESPN.

Maradona had showen no lack of faith in his squad.

“We’re going to win because we have better players,” Maradona said in an interview Monday on Radio Palermo and quoted by the Associated Press.

“By beating them we will show everything we have as a group,” the fiery coach said. “The boys are strong.”

The talented Brazilian squad stands atop the South American standings, and the loss moved the Argentines dangerously close to being outside the Top 4 and possibly missing out on a guaranteed World Cup slot. Ecuador (two points back) and Uruguay (four points back) sit just behind Maradona’s team.

So, Argentina’s slip-up proved costly.  The game which was played in Rosario, Argentina was Argentina’s second World Cup qualifying home defeat since September 5 1993, when they lost 5-0 to Colombia in Buenos Aires.

What do you think? Will Argentina make the cut? What are the odds that Brazil will repeat as World Cup champs in South Africa (2010) and again when they host the finals in 2014?

– SEAN CHAFFIN

Saris, extravagant Bollywood dance routines, ornate palaces, and – Portuguese? Yes, India is hip in Brazil thanks to a recent telenovela sweeping the country.

“Caminho das Indias” (Way of the Indias) is a smash hit for Brazilian TV giant Globo, with characters tossing in Hindi words and phrases to add to the “realism”. Hindi phrases like “Arre Baba” (Oh my goodness!) have entered everyday speech, and interest in yoga, meditation, and Indian dance is increasing. Indian clothes and decorations have also become popular with vendors are even hawking Indian sarongs on Rio beaches.

“People like it because it’s very energetic and very happy,” Samra Sanches, an instructor of Indian dance classes, said in a recent Reuters article. “We try to work on moves similar to those in the novela.”

The story of a forbidden love between a beautiful high-caste woman and a low-caste man has taken some liberties with Indian culture, but remains popular nonetheless. Brazilian soap operas typically feature more than 200 episodes over a six-month period before reaching the series conclusion.

“Caminho das Indias” was filmed partly in India, but with many scenes at Globo’s studios – complete with sets featuring Indian towns, temples, and even the Ganges River. The show’s impact on Brazilian interests exemplifies soap operas’ powerful influence in Brazil. Globo’s prime-time soap operas, often portraying Rio’s wealthy, can capture 40 million viewers per night.

Critics charge that, in keeping with telenovela standards, the show features risqué situations that would not be approved of in India, where public kissing or on television is taboo. Sexual encounters between the show’s main characters also would have been grounds for expulsion of the female character from her family in real life, many Indians in Brazil argue.

If you have seen them, what do you think of Brazilian telenovelas? What makes them so appealing? Is it fair to take liberties with Indian culture? Tell us what you think.

– SEAN CHAFFIN

Picture this: you’ve got a wonderfully relaxing Rio afternoon planned – maybe a cool cerveja or caipirinha, followed by a trip to Copacabana Beach and a dip in the cool Atlantic. A nice lunch is on the menu, but you’ve got a craving for … a cheeseburger. Never fear – Rio was the birthplace of Bob’s – known across Brazil for its burgers and fast food.

While McDonalds may claim Brazil as its eighth-largest market, many Brazilians prefer their own “home-grown” burger joint. Bob’s has an interesting past that merges the American love for fast food with one American’s love for Brazil.

Bob Falkenburg was an American pro tennis player in the ‘40s and ‘50s, and even won the 1948 men’s Wimbledon title. While playing in Rio de Janeiro, he fell in love with the city and moved there. In 1952, he opened his first restaurant on Copacabana beachfront. Offering typical American fare not seen at the time in Brazil, burgers, hot dogs, fries, sundaes, and shakes, the tennis player had an instant hit on his hands.

As Pamela Bloom notes in her wonderful travel book Brazil Up Close: “The meat is thicker and less papery than a Brazilian McDonald’s, and the chocolate milkshakes are definitely healing.”

By 1974, Falkenberg had expanded to 13 locations across Rio before selling the business and returning to the United States. The chain changed hands several times through the years and is now owned by Brazil Fast Food Corp. Bob’s now boasts more than 600 of the burger joints across every Brazilian state and is second in fast food only to McDonald’s.

So when in Rio and the burger urge strikes – maybe check out a uniquely Brazilian fast food experience. Our pick? The signature dish, a double-meat cheese burger with fries and shake, which is aptly named – the Big Bob. So what do you think? What was your experience like if you’ve visited Bob’s?

– SEAN CHAFFIN

As popular Brazilian President Lula da Silva gears up for his re-election campaign for 2010, reports last week signaled that the Brazilian economy has begun to pull itself out of the global economic downturn.

Experts credit the improved economic outlook to increased consumer confidence and a growing middle class in recent years that has added 20 million Brazilians to the consumer class.

“Investments and exports are down, but consumer spending is still growing, although slower than before,” Juan Pablo Fuentes told McClatchy Newspapers. Fuentes tracks Latin American economies for Moody’s Economy.com website in West Chester, Pa. “People are still willing to buy durable goods like electronics and cars. It shows optimism, which is important.”

From 2001-07, Brazil’s poorest 10 percent saw an increase of real income by 49 percent, according to Brazilian economist Marcelo Neri. He said economists estimate almost 28 million Brazilians joined the consumer economy from October 2003 to October 2008.

Adding to the country’s economic stimulus, was a federal sales tax break in June for the country’s auto industry. The program helped the industry sell more cars in June – 300,157 – than in any single month. June vehicle sales topped the previous record of July ‘08 by 12,047.

The expanding middle class during these five years have allowed more Brazilians to purchase more big-ticket items and gain access to credit. While the Brazilian economy shrank 1.8 percent in the first quarter, Moody’s expects an expansion of 0.5 percent in the second half of ’09 thanks to a substantial second-half recovery.

– SEAN CHAFFIN

Red wine, good friendships. Happily, some things get better with time and that’s certainly the case for Brazilain crooner Emilio Santiago who, ever since his career was resurrected by the ‘Aquarela Brasileira’ series years ago, has established and then redefined his unique place in contemporary Brazilian music.

Some say his sound is a throwback to Brazil’s pre-Bossa 50’s, when another crooner – Dick Farney – reigned supreme over the musical landscape in Rio and beyond. Farney was a staple of young carioca teens back then, on a plateau shared only by Sinatra when the topic of the day turned to the latest and greatest jazz singers. And so it is, still today with Santiago.

Set aside his richly-toned tenor and you’ll discover why. Santiago has depth: in his easy phrasing, in his immutable style. He also hand-picked these 15 songs for a small group approach and then settled into a comfortable relationship with a new producer – guitarist Ricardo Silveira.

It’s a perfect match. As a performer, Silveira in many ways mirrors the best qualities of Santiago’s talent. The nuance and perspective that can only be found in hands of a master of the Brazilian guitar shapes Santiago’s performance in a way that we’ve not heard before: ‘contrast and compliment’ become the ebb and flow of this album and this simple setting absolutely percolates with the creative effect. Here, even the headlines are understated.

We all know that experience shows when it comes to worldly expression and these songs, from Jobim’s reverent ‘Dindi’ to Victor Young’s ‘My Foolish Heart’ (an obvious dedication to Farney) are perfect examples of how a truly great performer can reward us with a simply song.

Here’s a singer at the top of his game: His music invites you to listen and then compels you to stay.  

Visit Connectbrazil.com’s album page to enjoy audio clips and more, and then give us your opinion. Thumbs up? Or thumbs down?