POR AÍ

Southern Star

The newest CBS network star is a young Brazilian actor who became known in the US after his role in the Brazilian Oscar-nominated film, O Quatrilho. Bruno Campos, 23, has been living in the United States since childhood and has studied scenic arts at Chicago's Northwestern University. The actor was chosen to play alongside Danny Aiello, Joe Mantegna, and Daryl Hanna in the upcoming CBS miniseries, The Last Don, based on Mauro Puzo's novel. Says the young thespian: "I've had many a stumble, but after knocking from door to door, I'm conquering a place under the sun."

Back by Request

Reggae, pop, samba, axé — he has sung it all. Brazilian musician Sueldo Soares's eclectic repertoire has taken him to numerous festivals in his homeland and overseas. Recently, he has broadened his range by performing at Jamaica's Reggae Festival and then taking San Francisco's Union Square by storm during Brazil's Independence Day celebration. He was also the opening act for Brazilian singer Jorge Benjor when he made his performing debut in San Francisco in November. Now Sueldo is back in the Bay Area for a longer show at the 28^th Annual Friends of Brazil Carnaval Ball at the Galleria, on February 8. For more information, call (415) 334-0106.

Helping Hand

The work of the recently created Council of Brazilian Citizens is bearing fruit all over the US. The San Francisco consulate-general of Brazil, one of the most active in the country, has just released a series of seven booklets in Portuguese with helpful hints and information for Brazilians in Northern California. The 24-page booklet entitled Consular Information, for example, explains what the consulate does and details procedures, such as getting a power of attorney, reacquiring Brazilian nationality, or securing the proper papers to travel to Brazil.

Another pamphlet called Health Services has a list of public and private health facilities and services in the Bay Area. Other booklets deal with education, labor relations, emergency situations, and AIDS information. Brazilians are encouraged to visit the consulate to receive the free information. Call (415) 981-8170.

Meat Place

After many years of listening to Americans complaining that they could not find in New York a churrascaria rodízio (a barbeque restaurant in which all kinds of meats and sausages grilled on skewers are continually brought to the table until the customer begs for mercy and ends the flow) Brazilian businessman João Mattos decided to put an end to the whining. The owner of BACC Travel and the monthly newspaper, The Brasilians, joined forces with Luiz Gomes, who already owns a Brazilian-food restaurant, the Via Brasil, to open a Plataforma restaurant just a few steps from Times Square.

Plataforma is a famous churrascaria in Rio and its owner, Alberico Campana , is a minority investor in the American venture. The investment was high: $3.5 million. Eight of the workers, including the chef churrasqueiro, were brought from Brazil. On weekdays, the Plataforma New York only opens for dinner. The price is $27 per person not including beverage, gratuity, and taxes. The address is: 316 West 49th Street, New York. Tel.: (212) 245-0505