Operationsmile.org

All of us have the right to be happy, spreading this with a simple smile. However, not everybody, unfortunately, can enjoy it this way.

Operation Smile was founded in 1982, in Virginia, by Dr. William P. Magee, a plastic surgeon, and his wife, Kathleen, a nurse and clinical social worker. With the purpose of helping children that suffer with cleft lips and cleft palates, the Magees traveled to the Philippines with a group of medical volunteers. During this journey, they discovered hundreds of children ravaged by deformities and helped many of them. From then on, the Magees saw the need and Operation Smile was born.

Coordinating more than 30 medical missions in 25 countries annually, in 2006, medical volunteers provided free surgeries for 9,334 children. Operation Smile’s partner countries include: Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gaza Strip, Honduras, India, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Thailand, Venezuela and Vietnam.

Operation Smile will commemorate its 25^th Anniversary of success and charity in November of this year, with 43 simultaneous missions in 25 countries, with a goal of providing better lives and of course, new smiles to an estimated 5,000 children living with facial deformities. In total, during all of these years, more than 100,000 have been treated already.

Every one can make a difference. These are the types of organizations, with people that have good character and the will to alleviate a little of human suffering, that provide a chance of society surviving, in the presence of such a cruel and unfair world lately.

- Anna Luíza Andrade

Brasília Music Festival (BMF) Moto!!!

The BMF Moto is an event that took place on the 7^th, 8^th and 9^th of September. It brought together bikers from all over the country, some foreign ones, and various admirers of extravagant and extremely expensive bikes.

Rock ’n roll energized everyone present during the course of the event and was contagious to anyone that was around. The bands were excellent and varied between Brazilian bands and international ones. Plenty of leather was present in all the clothing, accessories and other interesting things sold there. Different biker groups, unique figures, and families made the BMF what it was.

The event was very well organized which prevented any sort of fights, tumults or disagreements. The food variety was enormous, but the problem was the price that did not please the consumer’s pocket. The drinks, in general, were pricier than normal.

The Orange County Choppers were one of the main attractions. They created a bike inspired on the city and presented to the public. To the fans dismay, they were only there for a short time and, on the second day, a huge autograph line was formed. However, once again they left early. Security was tight and few people were allowed a closer look at them.

Ultimately, all the bikes presented were amazing, the ticket was expensive, but it was all worth it in the end. Honestly, I am not sure we will have an event as good as this one in the city.

- Amanda Rodrigues

Warped Tour '07

Between green, pink, purple mohawks, tons of screaming and gorgeous souls, the Vans Warped Tour ‘07 was one of the most amazing concerts I have been to. Not only because of its tradition of many rock bands in general, but especially because of the great feeling of being there.

The whole daring youth trying to have some fun and just demonstrating their attitude by nice and spooky outfits, pretty hair styles and totally, awesome tattoos was contagious. All of that, being topped by a 105°F sun (pretty hot, huh), but oh well, the crowd didn't care. Oh, and one more thing, if you wanted to refresh yourself or maybe get your throat a little wet, you should bring a good amount of money (yeah, a bottle of water was $4).

Besides extraordinary outfits, hot guys, plenty of heat and especially good screamo/punk rock bands, Warped Tour supports and gives a hand to independent bands that are starting in the grid. Not only this, but it also supports campaigns like: Feed our Children Now, Action for Animals, 11:11 AM (which helps raise funds for pediatric cancer research), Rainforest Action Network and many others.

The lineup of the bands was posted at 8 am of each day and the gates opened with a delay of thirty minutes, but it was all worth it. Those who went this year, got the chance to check out some great bands like: A Static Lullaby, All Time Low, Amber Pacific, Bad Religion, Biffy Clyro, Boys Like Girls, Paramore, New Found Glory, The Starting Line... In total, there were about 70 bands playing the whole day on 8 different stages; the main stage there was called Hurley.com.

By the way, if you wanted to shop for some of your favorite bands t-shirts you could! Each band had its own tent, selling t-shirts, caps, seatbelts and plenty of other accessories, but they were all a little too expensive. So, I recommend that if you are willing to go to Warped Tour one day, do not be afraid of opening your wallets and letting them free, it is worth a try!

Have fun, drink lots of water, be prepared to scream, get free hugs and kisses, get autographs from your favorite artists, jump and mosh, baby, and don't forget, wear sunscreen (for healthy tans)!

- Anna Luíza Andrade

Broadway in Concert

Everyday it becomes clearer that the population of Brasília is not ready and does not know how to act at a recital. The large number of rock concerts and other such things has obviously conditioned the population of this city and instructed them on how they should act when watching any sort of performance by any sort of musician. At least that is the impression that one got at the Broadway in Concert performance on September 5^th. The audience shouting “LINDO” and “LINDA” and whistling in between every song made the atmosphere of the recital more like that of a Ramones concert than that of a recital of Broadway’s hits with the presence of tenors, baritones and sopranos.

On the day it was performed, a Wednesday at 9 pm, it was to be expected that there would not be a very expressive audience. Come to think of it, the audience would most likely be greatly consisted, as it in fact was, of friends and acquaintances of the performers. Because of this, some of the friendly reactions that occurred are understandable. However, the audience’s response ended up being out of place and brought the attention away from an otherwise great performance to the childish reaction of the audience.

If we steer away from the audience’s inadequate response, the performance was perfect. The stage was simple and elegant, ideal for the kind of recital performed. There were six stools center stage were the singers sat and two pianos and an acoustic guitar for the musicians that accompanied the singers during the performance. The singers remained seated in the dark and stood, with a spotlight, only when it was their turn to sing.

The performers selected a wonderful mix of Broadway hits from the best modern-day musicals. Never duplicating the line up of singers for each song, the recital displayed the very best out of each singer and gave them the opportunity to fully explore their vocal range. They ultimately gifted the cheerful and receptive audience with RENT’s “Seasons of Love” as the encore, encouraging the audience to clap as the song reached its climax; much like it is done at the original Broadway performance.

One of the only technical problems was the audio system that was too loud and occasionally caused the pianos to overshadow the vocal performances. Besides that, the night was extremely pleasurable for all those that appreciate and are touched by Broadway’s best hits.

- Gabriela Becker

Punk Rock at the Blackout Bar

Punk Rock emerged at the end of the 1960s and became widely known in the mid-1970s. Its strengthening and popularization took place in England. There are contradictions about were it officially began. Some say it developed first in the United States while other say it was in England. Regardless, Punk Rock had a revolutionary aspect, criticized everything regarding the politics at the time and other issues alike.

Today, the young adults still enjoy the music, treasure the simple chords and love their extravagant heroes. But a great deal has changed. Punk Rock no longer has the same objectives it once had - which does not mean that it abandoned its revolutionary spirit and that there no longer are bands with that attitude - and the lyrics began to consist of more innocent and generic themes.

The Blackout Bar is a venue, in Brasília, that, lately, has given an emphasis and opportunity to local rock bands, offering them their space so that small concerts could be held there. The beer is cheep and the caipirinha (classic Brasilian drink) is very tasty. The concerts usually all have accessible prices, are extremely well organized - although they never start on time - and have security guards who are hired for all the events held at the venue.

On Friday, the last day of August of this year, it was Punk Rock’s turn at the Blackout Bar where teenagers and young adults alike went to pay tribute to contagious and energetic bands. Dissônicos opened up the set and managed to get everyone present to sing along to their chorus of “Eu não sei dançar” (I don’t know how to dance). They were the first band and one of the best ones of the night. On next, the band Gramofocas continued to energize the public... I won’t name nor comment on all the band that played that night because I am an eternal follower of metal and hard rock and, therefore, I do not give myself that right. But for those who truly enjoy Punk Rock, it was an excellent concert! Everyone was happy, the bands were outstanding and the atmosphere was just right to hang out with friends and have a good time. Even though some things may have changed with regards to what Punk Rock used to be and what it is now, this event sent the message that Punk Rock is not dead!

- Amanda Rodrigues