What's up in Rio?

We are comming back!

2011-06-25T13:09:00.002-03:00

I know this blog has been abandoned for many years, but life has been so busy to me that I couldnt give the proper attention.

But now I feel I have to come back, and keep passing all the information about tourism and entretainement in my city that foreigners were looking for and couldnt find, because it was all in portuguese, hehehe.

Keep an eye here, and feel free to suggest what you would like to read on these lines, and I will try to find out how to help!

Football / Soccer in Rio

2008-10-15T22:18:00.002-03:00

One of the city´s landmark is Maracanã Stadium, temple of the sport by which Brazil is (was?) worldwide known. So 9 out of 10 travellers come here, have the same question - how can I see a game at Maracanã?

First things first - Rio has 4 first division teams (national and local leagues), so far - Flamengo, Botafogo, Fluminense and Vasco. The local championship happens from late January until april and the national championship goes from may to december. Sometimes we have some international competitions with Rio´s teams involved, like Libertadores da America, Copa Sul Americana. The best source of information is O Globo sports session - http://oglobo.globo.com/esportes - they have the most accurate information, but clicking on the "tabelas" (charts) to see the fixtures.

Flamengo and Fluminense games are usually helds at Maracanã; Botafogo has his rented stadium, Engenhão (best reachable by suburbian trains that comes from Central Station - the one from the movie) and Vasco plays at their home, São Januário (also on the north zone of Rio).

Tickets are usually avaliable a week before the game happens, at Maracanã (when the game is held there) and on the clubs venues (If you are in Ipanema or Leblon, best place is going to Flamengo place, next to Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. If you are staying in Copacabana, Botafogo, better go to Botafogo team place, close to Rio Sul mall or to Fluminense place, in Laranjeiras). If is a derby, I recomend buying as soon as its avaliable, specially for a Flamengo game (last sunday the team brought 81.000 people to the stadium, playing with a team from minas gerais, and they lost). Tickets vary between R$ 20 to R$ 100, depending on the game and on the season. The green and yellow stands are, in my opinion, the best place to be.

How to get there? The best way to go is getting the subway until estácio station on line 1, then change to maracanã stadium station, with line 2. There is a big path that links the station to the stadium, with policemen watching all the time. Best arrive at least 2 hours prior the game, specially if you still have no ticket. Its also a good oportunity to choose your side (if is a local derby), mingle with brazilians and have beers, as they are not sold inside Maracanã stadium.

If you are soooo unlucky (like me, when I went to Buenos Aires and couldnt see any game of Boca Juniors at La Bombonera) to be in Rio and couldnt find a game to go, you still can do a tour at Maracanã. It happens every day, from 9am to 5pm, including holidays. When there is a game, the tour finishes 5 hours before the game (if is at 4pm, finishes at noon; if the game is on 6pm, finishes at 1pm). Entrance is at gate 15. Costs R$ 20, and eldery, disable people, students and people that can prove that they live in Rio, pay half price.

More info in portuguese - http://www.suderj.rj.gov.br/visitacao_maracana.asp

One more piece of advice - its ok to take your camera, but keep an eye on your belongins and try not to get into trouble by arguing with the other group of suporters. There are always some angry people around there, but if you dont mess with them, you will have a great time at the Biggest stadium on earth!!!!!!!

Yes, we have street carnaval!!!!!!!!!!

2008-01-19T16:25:00.000-02:00

Despite some people inisist to say, Rio DO have a street carnival. As carnival approaches, here is some help for those looking for the street parties around the city! All you have to do is show up and follow the music.

I know it is in portuguese, but this guide - www.samba-choro.com.br/carnaval/2008 - is by far the most complete about the festivities. They give the address, date and the hour the group meet. Also have some story of the groups, so exercise your portuguese (you can ask for translation if it gets too confuse....)

My favorite ones are the followings, and this may be pretty much my schedule for the carnival days.

saturday feb 2nd
Cordão da Bola Preta, às 9 am -Cinelândia/ Theatro Municipal (Centro) - the oldest bloco in town, gathering thousands of people, from very young to really old.

Barbas, às 3 pm - R. Arnaldo Quintela com Assis Bueno (Botafogo) - for this bloco, I advice to bring a plastic bag for the belongings... is known for throwing water on people during the parade.

Empolga às 9, às 5 pm - Casa da Matriz, Rua Henrique Novaes (Botafogo)

sunday feb 3rd
Cordão do Boitatá, às 8 am - Rua do Mercado e Praça XV (Centro) - must go with some kind of costume

Que merda é essa?, às 2 pm - Bar Paz e Amor,
R. Garcia D'Ávila esq. com Nascimento Silva (Ipanema)

Simpatia é Quase Amor, às 4 pm - Praça General Osório (Ipanema) - they meet with the one above, which comes from the diferent direction.

Cacique de Ramos, às 9pm - Av. Rio Branco com Presidente Vargas (Centro)

monday feb 4th
Bloco de Segunda, às 2 pm - Cobal do Humaitá, pelo lado da Rua Voluntários da Pátria (Botafogo)

Rancho Flor do Sereno, às 7 pm - Bar Bip-Bip, Rua Almirante Gonçalves (Copacabana)

tuesday feb 5th
Se Melhorar, Afunda, às 9 am - Praça São Domingos (São Domingos - Niterói) - the bloco parades first on the ferry, then into old rio downtown

Rio Maracatu, às 3 pm - Arpoador (Ipanema)
Cacique de Ramos, às 8 pm - Av. Rio Branco c/ Pres. vargas (Centro)

Sambadrome

2008-01-19T16:23:00.000-02:00

There are many kinds of tickets for the sambadrome. Acording to the organizers website - www.liesa.com.br - there are still 990 tickets avaliable for the main parades on monday, at the official price. On sector 4, costs R$ 110 and you can buy at Bradesco bank at Rua Visconde de Inhaúma, 134- C - Centro

On sector 6, they stil have tickets for the chairs, on both days, costing R$ 110 and you can buy these on Bradesco bank at Av. Rio Branco, 181 – A - Centro

On sector 13, only on monday, the chairs costs R$ 110 and can be bought on bradesco bank at Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos, 615 - Castelo

Of course there are always travel agencies and vendors that sells the other sectors, but expect to pay double or three times the prices (you can check the original prices at Liesa website at ingressos).

The two last stands at sambadromes are called "arquibancadas populares" and at this place you can see the parade comming and people celebrating the end of it, if they feel they have done a good job. These tickets will start to be sold on january 26th, at the sector 11 of the sambadrome. For the sunday and monday parades, costs R$ 10 and for the winners parades costs R$ 5. Remember that in all cases, they only accept money.

Remembering that the sambadrome parades are a tournament, just like football, so there are lower divisions. My favorite one to go is the second, that parades on saturday. Tickets are usually much cheaper than the main one.

the second division ticket info:

From jan 22nd to 25th - at Rua da Alfandega, 25 - Loja B/C
Centro - from 10 am to 4 pm

From jan 28th to feb 2nd - the same place at sector 11.

all stands will cost R$ 15

One idea is watching the saturday parade on a very good spot (sector 3 to 7) and watch the sunday or monday parades on the R$ 10 place. Its a bargain!!!!!!!!!!

Its cinema time!

2007-09-17T21:28:00.000-03:00

Rio de Janeiro will become the capital of movies for two weeks, starting next september 21st. The International Film Festival, a.k.a. Festival do Rio will bring nearly 400 movies, from every where, every one. From classic western starred by John Wayne to the newest David Lynch. Its a difficult (or impossible) duty to watch 10% of the avaliable movies.

Tickets will start to be avaliable tomorrow (september 18th), at the Espaço de Cinema (Rua Voluntários da Pátria, 35 - Botafogo). The movie fanatics can even buy a pass for 20 or 50 movie sessions (and change for each movie ahead, so you wont miss the session)or buy each ticket for each movie.

For the foreigners with a bit of portuguese knowledge, I´d recomend watching the brazilian movies on the Premiere Brasil, which brings every year the newest productions from this country. Another two movies that worth seeing: the british documentary about samba (A Magia do Samba) and the much seen and spoken Tropa de Elite, which will finally be avaliable on the directors cut (not the pirates cut), telling the story of the elite troop of police from Rio, Bope.

More information can be reached on festival do Rio

Meet the favela!

2007-07-19T11:43:00.000-03:00

Knowing about how is life in the Rio´s Favelas is something that tourists always wants to know. I personally sometimes think is something invasive, very close to a human safari. But some events are interesting to get to know what is really important from people that live on the favelas (and that they are proud of) - their cultural production.

From today (july 19th) until sunday (july 22nd), Circo Voador in Lapa will be hosting the second edition of the Favela Bienal of Arts. People can see for free dance, music, paintings and cultural debates about life and art on the Favelas of Rio.

To see all the program, check the website - http://www.circovoador.com.br (click on the "saiba mais" of the 2a. Bienal Favela Festa)

keep having fun!

Party in the Circus

2007-06-30T11:19:00.000-03:00

The proximity of the Pan American Games has given a diferent athmosphere to the city, and I´m not only talking about raising prices for accomodation or having huge traffic jams all day long around the ciy.... The lively athmosphere that surrounds the city during the carnival time is back! Many blocos (check previous posts to see what a bloco is) are parading on the beaches on the weekend and the night clubs are re-acting their Carnival parties.

One of them is Circo Voador, in Lapa. They are offering again their carnival programme, where samba schools, funk singers and blocos meet every night. Tickets costs R$ 40 (in advance) or R$ 50 (on the night). Here is the programmation:

July 3rd - Bateria da Mangueira / Dj Daniel Faria / Dj Tartaruga / Dj Ailton / MC Sapão / MC Pé de Pano

July 10th - Bateria da Mangueira / Gerson Bruno / Dj Tartaruga / Dj Ailton / MR. Catra / Bonde das Louras

July 24th - Bateria da Mangueira / Gerson Bruno / Dj Tartaruga / Dj Ailton / Mc Sabrina / Quebra Tudo

July 31st - Bateria da Mangueira / Dj Daniel Faria / Dj Tartaruga / Dj Ailton / Cidinho e Doca / JR e Leonardo

Is better and save than adventure through favelas for the funk parties...

Let the games begin!!!!!!!!!

2007-05-13T13:44:00.000-03:00

From july 13th to 29th, Rio de Janeiro will be the place to be if you enjoy sports (if you don´t, better change your travelling plans to august and on...). The XV Pan American Games will be held in Rio. Some sports will have free exibitions, like the marathon or some of watersports, but for most of the games, you will need a ticket. The good news is that they are already avaliable to be bought, and you can do that through internet... Bad news is that some finals area already sold out (luckly, football / soccer still avaliable.

To buy a ticket, you need to go to this website - http://www.ingressosrio2007.com.br (cut and paste, somehow is not linking now...)

They may request some id number (CPF for brazilians)to proceed, but if dont have a clue about what it is, just keep answering no and put your passaport number. Some countries will have special deals to buy the tickets localy, from their olympics comitees, just check on while you try to buy it. The website is in portuguese, english and spanish.

Tickets will be collected by presenting the id quoted and the credit card used (they will only take Visa brand)by june 20th, at Rio Sul, a very central and easy to find shopping mall in Botafogo.

For those that hadn´t already find accomodation, is better to run. I havent heard already from any offical institute, but I presume it will be hard to find, since its also vacation time, besides the games...

Oh, and despite some people still think - it will be winter time in Rio, so don´t be so disapointed if you can´t go to the beach everyday... :-)

É Carnaval!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-01-28T15:39:00.000-02:00

Despite all the violence problems, Carnival is about to begin in Rio. In fact, it has already started, with the samba schools reharshals at their places and the technical parades held every weekend at the Sambadrome. And if you think about the Cidade do Samba, is carnival all year long.

First, I have to explain that Carnival is not only at the sambadrome. There is party everywhere, in everystreet, just need to have two or more people making music....
The fun thing is to follow the organized blocos, a bunch of people that follow some circuit on the streets, singing and dancing. They have already started doing that, and I will post here some of them.

On next saturday, february 3rd, Banda de Ipanema will do their first parade. Being created in 1965, is now known as a gay parade, where people often honor Carmem Miranda and her costumes. They meet at General Osório square in Ipanema, around 3 pm.

Another option for the same day is the Imprensa que eu Gamo, the bloco from the media people in Rio. They meet around 2 pm, in front of the Mercadinho São José, in Laranjeiras, and start parading around 4 pm. The parade is not so long, but the party is fun.

I still need to write about the carnival days, I will be doing anytime soon!

Enjoy the party! Its just starting!

Movie for all in Rio

2007-01-04T09:03:00.000-02:00

All movie lovers in Rio don´t need to be sad, away from their beloved movie theaters during their vacations on this tropical paradise. There is a cult movie chain that promotes parties that connect party, music and cinema (of course). The party place is the historical Odeon movie theater, located on the historical Cinelândia, downtown Rio (there is a subway station there, so is no dificult to find!)

This friday, january 5th, is the night of the movie marathon. Three movies are exibited, and between them, a dj plays. Tickets costs R$ 20 and the marathon starts at 11 pm. On the menu, three premiers (at least for us here in Brazil):

11:30 pm - "Stranger Than Fiction", de Marc Forster.Com Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, Queen Latifah,Emma Thompson, Tom Hulce.

2h15 am: “Perfume - The Story of Murder", de Tom Tykwer.Com Ben Whishaw, Dustin Hoffman, Alan Rickman, Rachel Hurd-Wood.

5h15 am: "La Gran Final", de Gerardo Olivares.

At the end, coffee and cakes for the resistant ones.

On wednesday, january 10th, its time for the short brazilian movies. The party Cachaça Cinema Clube presents always some short movies and after, there is a dj playing and, guess what, Cachaça Tasting! All for R$ 5, starting on 8h30 pm. As now is vacation time for students in Brazil, the party gets really crowded. I´d say is better to get there earlier and buy the tickets on advance.
On the menu, three short movies directed by Mario Carneiro, one of the most importants film photographers from the New Cinema Wave in Brazil (around the 60ies). "Arraial do Cabo", from Mário Carneiro e Paulo César Saraceni, 1960;"Iberê Camargo", de Mário Carneiro, 1982; "O Enigma de um Dia", de Joel Pizzini, 1996

There will be also shown some traillers from masterpieces from brazilian cinema in which Carmeiro was responsable for the photography.

New music from Brazil

2007-01-04T08:48:00.000-02:00

Brazil is well known everywhere because of its musical quality. Bossa Nova, Samba, Funk, all have been (in a way) important contributions for the world music context. One good thing is to get to know bands at their early start. The fresher, the better!!!!!!!!!! The beggining of the year have good options of music festivals that can introduce those new musicians to the population. Recife hosts every april the festival "Abril pro Rock" (Open to Rock, a work puzzle with the meaning and how it is written the month april, which can also means open), May is the time when Natal hosts MADA (Music food for the soul), held on a beach.

But Rio has their own new talent show - Humaitá Pra Peixe. Starting tomorrow (friday, january 5th) and held until the last weekend, every friday, saturday and sunday, around 7 pm. Every night, two new faces from the local musical scene perform at the small theater at Humaitá, close to the audience. Teatro Sergio Porto is located on Rua Humaitá, 163 - Humaitá.

Tickets costs R$ 24 a night and a profile from the bands can be read at www.humaitaprapeixe.com.br

05/01 (friday) – A Filial / Curumin
06/01 (saturday) – Ordinário Groove Combo / Rio Maracatu
07/01 (sunday) – Rockz / Scracho

12/01 (friday) – Brasov / DuSouto
13/01 (saturday) – Zé de Riba / Tom Bloch
14/01 (sunday) – Revolucionnários / Fresno

19/01 (friday) – Rodrigo Bittencourt / Érika Machado
20/01 (saturday) – Edu Krieger / Casuarina
21/01 (sunday) – Reverse / Eletro

26/01 (friday) – Duplexx / Vugue Tostoi
27/01 (saturday) – Turbo Trio/ Móveis Coloniais de Acaju
28/01 (sunday) – Debate o “Mercado da música para novos talentos”

last one

2006-12-18T00:40:00.000-02:00

Sugar loaf seems to be shaking because I was in a car... It stills there!!!

More of the sunny afternoon

2006-12-18T00:38:00.000-02:00

More from the sunny afternoon in Rio this sunday... That one was taken in front of Botafogo Praia Shopping.

Sunny sunday in Rio

2006-12-18T00:16:00.000-02:00

On my way from South zone to North zone, I tried to capture a bit of the magic of the city... I love this time of the year here, when days are longer. Can you believe it was taken after 6 pm????

Botafogo, just across Botafogo Praia Shopping

Samba for free at the Sambadrome

2006-12-04T22:55:00.000-02:00

Carnival is already on the corner. As it is a huge competiton, and as any artistic spetacle, the artists need to reharsh on the stage, so nothing can go wrong on the big day. The cool thing is that is open to the general public, just need to show up at the time and day you want. Practice will happen from december to february, every friday / saturday / sunday. It doesn´t come with the huge and beautiful floats and the rich costumes, but is good to learn the music and know more about this cultural manifestation of Rio. In case you don´t know how to get to the sambadrome, take the subway direction north and get down at Praça Onze or Central station (yes, the one from the movie. If you choose this one, remember that you will have to walk 3 or 4 blocks at Ave. Presidente Vargas).

December schedule:
8 th— Império (09 pm)
10 th— Mangueira (07 pm) e Tijuca (09 pm)
17 th— Grande Rio (07 pm) e Beija-Flor (09 pm)
22 th— Salgueiro (09pm)

January schedule:
5/1 — Salgueiro (09pm).
6/1 — Porto da Pedra (09pm).
7/1 — Tijuca (07 pm) e Beija-Flor (09pm)

12/1 — Império (09pm).
13/1 — Estácio (07 pm) e Portela (09pm).
14/1 — Mangueira (07 pm) e Viradouro (09pm)

19/1 — Mocidade (09pm).
21/1 — Grande Rio (07 pm) e Vila (09pm)

26/1 — Imperatriz (09pm).
27/1 — Estácio (07 pm) e Porto da Pedra (09pm
28/1 — Mangueira (07 pm) e Beija-Flor (09pm)

February schedule:

2/2 — Tijuca (09pm).
3/2 — Salgueiro (07 pm).
4/2 — Grande Rio (07 pm) e Viradouro (09pm)

9/2 — Império (09pm).
10/2 — Imperatriz (07 pm) e Portela (09pm)
11/2 — Vila (07 pm)

Oh, and in case you don´t know, or don´t remember, Carnival starts on february 17th...

Afternoon parties sugestion

2006-12-04T22:30:00.000-02:00

Hello everyone!
Some night clubs open during the day, so they can offer more fun and party options for the lazy hot summer afternoons after the beach. One good sugestion for the december weekends is Casa Rosa - http://www.casarosacultural.com.br.

The big old pink house, that used to be a brothel in early 20ies of the 20th century, is at Rua Alice, 550 - Laranjeiras (take the subway direction north until Largo do Machado Station and take the integration bus number 406 A - Largo do Machado - Rodoviária, drops you right in front of the club).

On saturdays, bobó de camarão (its a bahian dish made with shrimp) and samba are on the menu. The party starts at 1 pm and goes until 8pm, with a Capoeira presentation around 6 pm. Besides that, the shopping fans can see the production of almost 30 new carioca designers, that sells their bags, shoes, clothes, bijoux, and many more. Entrance is R$ 8 or R$ 15 with the food included.

On sundays, the house is the place for more samba and the most well known brazilian dish - Feijoada. The late lunch starts at 5 pm and the samba goes until 10 pm, followed by some djs, until midnight. Entrance costs R$ 20 male or R$ 16 female (feijoada included).

So, get out of the beach before sunset and taste some of the typical carioca lifestyle!

ps - check the prices and schedules before go on 9364-8011 or 8877-8804

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!!!! NEW YEARS EVE IN RIO!!!!!!!!

2006-11-18T00:17:00.000-02:00

Hi,
On the same day when I felt dissapointed when I saw on the tv news that New Years in Copacabana would be the worse ever (c´mon, you don´t put olny one stage with louzy attractions for a party where there should be 2 million people coming from all over), I read on the other hand, Ipanema will be the place to be.

Nokia mobile company will sponsor the party and will bring The Black Eyed Peas to perform, FOR FREE, on Ipanema Beach, just after midnight. It won´t be so crowded as it was on the Rolling Stones concert this year, but it will be fun!!!!!!!!

more info here when I get it or at the website - www.nokianewyearseve.com

Here comes the summer and its parties...

2006-11-15T15:05:00.000-02:00

Officially, summer only starts on december 21st, the year only finishes on december 31st and carnival is from february 17th to 21st. Even knowing very well all those dates, weather is already changing, the parties are already starting... Here is some piece of advice to those wanting to come to Rio for the hottest (literally) time of the year!

First, I got to tell you all the awful truth - yes, things can get very expensive this time of the year, from airplane tickets to accomodation and renting a chair on the beach. Why? Its the holiday season, the city gets another athmosphere, everyone is more happy, open to have fun, meet people. Rio becomes the place to be! So, make your budget a little bigger. It gets more expensive, but not impossible to come.

If you are considering coming for new years or carnival celebrations, book or arrange your accomodation as soon as possible. Some places (cheap ones) can or will be booked by now. For those on a budget and that open to use public transportation, I´d recomend looking for the hotels and hostels in Botafogo, rather than the obvious Ipanema and Copacabana. Botafogo´s beach can (and is) crap, unbathable at all, but the area is very well served with transportation (buses, subway and taxis), nice restaurants, good shopping malls, great movie theathers and nightclubs (my favourite one is there, Casa da Matriz - www.casadamatriz.com.br). My tips? Here are some of it (I don´t get any money from them, just know people that stayed there and have visit some of them!) - www.alphahostel.com / www.acehostels.com / www.riohostel.com.br / www.riotijucahostel.com.br (the last two ones are members of the International Hostels chain. The last one is not in Botafogo, is in Tijuca, for those looking for a north zone flavour on their trips!).

You don´t need to feel miserable just because can´t afford comming for new years or carnival in Rio. If you at least can be here between the parties, like early january until early february, you will have many parties coming up. All the samba schools will be practicing on their homes and at Sambadrome (for free), all the street blocos have parties to practice and some of them will be already parading. The beach will be great, weather fantastic. Rio is always a party!

looking for local friends in Rio?

2006-11-15T14:53:00.000-02:00

Hello!
I´ve noticed that the new wave about backpacking is the online communities where you can offer from a place to crash to company to show the city to the visitors. I´m a member of two of those groups - www.hospitalityclub.org and www.couchsurfing.com

Here in Rio, we made a mailling list group to put all the residents togheter, but we are open to recieve messages from visitors! Our website is http://groups-beta.google.com/group/hc-rio and the email (you don´t need to be a member to send) is hc-rio@googlegroups.com

Drop us a line!!!!

Rio, the place for all festivals

2006-09-04T23:36:00.000-03:00

The upcoming months will be very interesting with all the music festivals and concerts in Rio. Next week, we will have the pleasure to see again the lovely scotish band Franz Ferdinand, playing at Fundição Progresso - www.fundicao.org , on september 14th. Tickets start on R$ 100 and still being sold in many places around Rio.

In october, we will have the TIM Festival, a 3 day festival that mix many kinds of music manifestations, from jazz to indie rock. In Rio, it will happen at Marina da Gloria, which guarantees a beautiful view from Guanabara bay. There are three stages with four diferents presentations each night. You buy the ticket for the presentation, so in a same night, you may need two tickets.

RIO DE JANEIRO - Marina da Glória
27 de outubro
TIM Club (20h) - Ivan Lins/Tributo, Jennifer Sanon e Maria Schneider
TIM Stage (23h) - Daft Punk
TIM Lab (22h30) - Céu, Amadou & Marian e Devendra Banhart
TIM Village (1h) - DJ Shantel e Maurício Valladares

28 de outubro
TIM Club (20h) - André Mehmari Trio, Roy Hargrove e Charlie Haden
TIM Stage (23h) - Mombojó, Patti Smith e Yeah Yeah Yeahs
TIM Lab (22h30) - Bonde do Rolê, TV On The Radio e Thievery Corporation
TIM Village (1h) - Booka Shade e Pet Duo

29 de outubro
TIM Club (20h)- Stefano Bollani, Ahmad Jamal e Herbie Hancock
TIM Stage (23h) - Instituto, DJ Shadow e Beastie Boys
TIM Lab (22h30) - Marcelo Birck, The Bad Plus e Black Dice
TIM Village (1h)- DJ Jason Forrest e Camilo Rocha

Tickets are not to be sold now, so please wait for the next announcement, togheter with the New Order concert confirmation and the Cramfields.

Carnival all year long

2006-09-04T22:53:00.000-03:00

hello everyone,

So you came to Rio de Janeiro before or after Carnival and you still want to see how things are done? Now you have the oportunity to visit the place where all the samba schools spent almost half the year creating costumes, floats and many more things.

The Cidade do Samba (Samba City) is locatet on the Rio docks, where they say the carnival started. All the 14 schools that participates of the main parades from Carnival (sunday and monday nights) have their spaces to work there. The one that get the last position on the parade, has to move out, to give room for the second group winner.

Visits can be done everyday, from noon to 8 pm, and tickets costs R$ 20 for tourists and R$ 10 for locals. Every thursday, the City closes earlier, at 6 pm and they have a special presentation by 7 pm. The visitors pay R$ 80 and have a small carnival for themself, with dancers, musicians, some food and a small parade by the end.

The Cidade do Samba is located on rua Rivadavia Correa, 60 - Gamboa. To get there by subway, take the train direction north and get down at Central Station (yes, the same one from the movie). Cidade do Samba is just after the tunnel near the station, but is kind of dangerous to cross by foot. Take one of the buses that goes to Rodoviária or Cajú. If you want, you can get those yellow buses to Rodoviária, that come all the way from south zone.

more information (in portuguese) - www.liesa.com.br

Vila Isabel

2006-01-15T13:08:00.000-02:00

This is Vila Isabel place, where they reharsh every weekend. Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-01-07T15:28:00.000-02:00

Hi,
Happy 2006!!!!!! I know I have not been a good blogger, but very soon I will post about Stones in Rio, U2 in São Paulo and Carnival.
Right now, just a quick post about the english meetings from the blog - http://rioenglishgroup.blogspot.com

Check there!

best wishes!
Gabriela

Carnival time again

2005-12-19T00:09:00.000-02:00

Hi everyone,
Before you start thinking I'm going crazy, since we still in january, I must remind you all that Carnival is not only a one week party! All the work is done throughout the year and for that, the samba schools need to do an early start. All of them have already chosen their music for the 2006 parade, all the floats and costumes are being done and people are already practicing on the streets. So, you are around for Rio now, and feel sorry not to see Carnival, you can taste a bit of that at the reharshals. There are many kinds, for all tastes and sizes!
Ok, you want to taste the thing, but you are afraid to leave the confort zone of south zone to the suburbs. Cool, no problem! Some samba schools thought about this audience and they are also performing in clubs around south zone and downtown.

On friday, you can see Mangueira performing at Scala, in Leblon (Rua Afrânio de Mello Franco, 296), starting around 10 pm. Tickets costs R$ 20 (ladies) and R$ 30 (gents).
Another school performing on friday away from their home is Beija-Flor, last year winner. The will be playing until february 24th, starting also at 10 pm, at Claro Hall (its a music hall under Via Parque Shopping in Barra). Tickets goes from R$ 60 to R$ 130.

On saturdays, the options are Portela and Porto da Pedra. Portela, the traditional white and blue from Madureira will perform in Lapa, at the Circo Voador (Rua dos Arcos, s/n), starting at 11 pm. Tickets costs R$ 30 and bloco Quizomba opens for them.
Porto da Pedra, from Niterói, plays at Clube Sirio Libanês in Botafogo (Rua marquês de olinda, 38), starting at 10 pm. Tickets costs R$ 10 (ladies) and R$ 20 (gents).

But for those looking for the real thing, the best option is to go to the suburbs, on their home field, where the people that will parade hang out every weekend, where english is not that spoken and where it takes around an hour to get buy taxi (and costs around R$ 25 - 35 the ride). But worth it! Here is a selection of three good schools, easy to get and not that far from the south zone.

Mangueira is one of the most popular samba schools in Rio. Therefore, their reharshals are always full of famous people, actors, politcians and tourists. The practice on saturdays at their gym at Rua Visconde de Niterói, 1.072 (MUST GO BY TAXI - ITS ON THE BOTTON OF THE FAVELA) and tickets costs R$ 20, starting at 10 pm.

Salgueiro is known for its beautiful people on their area, in the traditional Tijuca, a neighborhood on the north zone. Not being on the favela is a plus, and thats why many tourist buses drop by many gringos every saturday night. They are at Rua Silva Telles, 104. Tickets costs R$ 30, starting around 10 pm.

Vila Isabel is also a traditional samba school, but spent the 90'ies and early 2000 on the second division, after winning the 1988 first division parade . 2006 will be their second year back to the elite of the samba schools. They reharsh every saturday night (starting around 10 pm), at their gym on the end of Boulevard 28 de setembro (main street of the neighborhood). No tourists (so far), lots of locals, old people, children and tickets not over R$ 10 (last time I went they charged me one real, but may varies when is near february).

Thats not all, but I must go. I will comeback during the week with more info about the street blocos from carnival, other night clubs and, summer main event - Rolling Stones in Rio!

Have fun!
Gabriela

Last call for Carnival

2005-01-27T01:32:00.000-02:00

Hi everyone!

Carnival is around the corner and here are some options for those who are already in the city!

On Monday, january 31st, just to chill out, check some old and important samba singers, musician and composers in Lapa. Dama da Noite, its the name of the bar, have a show of Wilson Moreira. He plays a kind of more melodic samba, not the ones played on the sambadrome by the samba schools. Dama da Noite is located at Ave. Gomes Freire, 773 – Lapa.

On Tuesday, february 1st, there will be a huge party in downtown for free! Old and historical Odeon Movie theather (whom belongs today to a cult movie chain of theaters), will have music, dance, poetry and movies (of course).
The party starts at 7 pm, on the square in front of the theater, with one of the oldest and most traditional street bloco, O Cordão do Bola Preta. After them, at 8 pm, a younger bloco, Rio Maracatu, plays, followed by the samba group called Capivara Ensaboada.
Inside the movie theater, at 8:30 pm, some short movies screening and poetry reading, until 9:30 pm, when Rio Maracatu hits the stage inside. Then, everyone goes back outside to party more with the shows of Bangalafumenga (another street bloco), Cordão da Bola Preta and DJ Jorge Luiz to finish the party. Odeon is located on Praça Floriano, 7 – Cinelândia. Get down at the subway station Cinelândia (direction north) and follow the signs with Odeon.

On Wednesday, february 2nd, the option is to head to Lapa again, and check two blocos parting on the Circo Voador. BLOCO QUIZOMBA and EMPOLGA ÀS 9 will make the party, mixing pop, rock and samba. The party starts at 10 PM and tickets cost R$ 12. The Circo Voador is just under the Lapa Arches, at ave. Mem de Sá.

Thursday, february 3rd, is almost carnival and is time to head for the real street blocos. So, my tip is to head downtown, more precisely to Praça Mauá and follow Escravos da Mauá (the mauá slaves). They have their own song, and the players are very good. They start by 7 PM, at Largo de S. Francisco da Prainha with rua Sacadura Cabral . to get there, take any bus that goes to the bus station (Rodoviária), and get down on Praça Mauá

all best, have fun, stay safe!
Gabriela

Carnival Schedule - its just an option, make yours!

2005-01-27T01:25:00.000-02:00

Dear friends, I do not know if already I told this to you, but I am a party girl of cradle (my grandfather used to party during carnival in Belo Horizonte in years 20/30) and therefore, when this time of the year arrives, I’m already agitated...

only that in this year, I will have that to make an alternative programming, because I fell in the subway in December and got a ligament hurt in the left foot (uau, I felt like Romário now) and I’ll need to calm and to cure with physiotheraphy sessions. I Lighted then my script, but I will place also the heavy alternatives, in the case of mine little footie gets better more close to the party . The information on these and other blocks had been removed of the site http://www.samba-choro.com.br/carnaval/2005 , the best script of the street carnival, very good for those that can read portuguese!

Friday feb 04th
warm up /meeting of the English group - Taverna do Juca (Ave. Men de Sá, 65) in the Lapa, starting at 6h30 pm, look for the table I (Gabriela) booked. Later, around 9 PM, the thing is to go up to Santa Tereza and to go behind the Carmelitas bloco.
option heavy - after the Carmelitas, to go down Laranjeiras and to go to Concentra mas não sai, in the Bar Severyna. But it has rumors there that it does not go to be, when to roll the confirmation acknowledgment.

Saturday 05/02
option heavy – Cordão do Bola Preta, at 9 AM in the Cinelândia/ Municipal Theatre (Center). I won’t be able to go but, this is one of the most important bands playing during carnival. Who will be able to go, I recommends, is WONDERFUL!

option light - beach of ipanema from 10h and later coming back to north zone and going in Sorri prá Mim, at 4 PM in the bar Petisco da Vila in Vila Isabel. The idea is already to go ready to head for the night at sambodromo (yes, SAMBODROMO) and to see the schools of the group of Access A In this year, my favourites are two: Vizinha Faladeira (the Faladeira Neighbor) , therefore besides homaging our minister Gilberto Gil , is the school of my region of work - Gamboa, Saint Christ and adjacencias. Working in the foot of their slum, I feel myself of the community. The other one is União da Ilha (Union of the Island) , that after Vila Isabel, is who more deserves to come back to the special group.

sunday - 06/02
Sunday the party is in Ipanema. Beach from the hour that I wake up, because I want to be until the end in sambodromo, and starting at 2 PM., going to the bloco "Que merda é essa?" (what excrement I am this) , in the Bar Paz & Amor), R. Garcia D'Ávila (Ipanema). It serves as warm up for the Simpatia and to run away from initial hassle of the Simpatia. At 4 PM, starts Simpatia é Quase Amor (Affection is almost love), one of the biggest blocos in Ipanema.

Option heavy - to continue at ipanema and to go to the Empolga to the 9, at 9 PM, in posto 9 (Ipanema). Or to head in to the city center and to see super extreme the traditional Cacique de Ramos (Chieftain to it of Branches) , in the Av. Rio Branco with President Vargas (Center). Now, more heavy of heavyies is to buy in the hour tickets for sector 13 of sambodromo (more known as dispersion) to see Mangueira, Vila e Salgueiro and others leaving the avenue, just for fun.

Monday 07/02
hey! guess what! Beach of Ipanema per the morning (yes, I want to take off the delay not going to the beach all year! ). Later, route the cobal of the Humaitá to the Bloco da Segunda (Block of Second,) at 2 Pm. The website Samba e Choro says that due a supercapacity of the last years, the BS wont announce place, hour nor certain passage. Then the good thing is to go pra Cobal early and to wait taking beers and eating that one galeto sensational of there.
After that, to head copacabana and to see the ball of the Bip Bip, starts at 6 PM in rua Almirante Gonçalves, in Copacabana. They play old songs of carnival, a luxury!
option heavy - to head city and to see the Cacique de Ramos, from 8 PM, in the same place of sunday.

tuesday 08/02
beach of ipanema and the night, to go to sambodromo to see the group of the defeat, or better, group B. Samba Schools that used to be in the special group between years 80 and 90, as Estácio de Sá , Unidos da Ponte, Arranco, Lins Imperial and Império da Tijuca will be parading in the group that does not charge to get in, does not have subway the night all twirling, and only the community goes.
option heavy - between the beach and sambodromo, to go in the Bloco da Ansiedade (Block of the Anxiety) , that concentrates at 3 PM, but only leaves to 6 Pm.. They leave the Mercadinho São José , in Laranjeiras and don’t play samba, but Frevo, from the northeast. Another option, but to substitute sambódromo, is going to centro after the bloco to see two famous blocos of Rio – Cacique de Ramos e Bafo de Onça everything starting by 8 PM.

Wednesday ash 9/02 - people, I have to sleep, isn’t ? I come back to work by noon.

Though that it finished? It has plus on the weekend later!

Saturday 12/02 -
beach of ipanema per the morning and Bafafá, at 5 Pm, on posto 9. (Ipanema). This bloco does not leave the place and the drummers from Bola Preta plays old sambas.
And there is also the winners parade at the sambadrome.

sunday 13/02
beach of ipanema and after Monobloco at 2 PM, they start at the end of Leblon beach. They play old sambas and brazilian music, and gets really crowded. For those that survive all this, still have another bloco, Barangal. They star parading by 4 PM, at posto 9, in Ipanema

well, thats it for now, have fun and ask any questions on the comments!
Gabriela

The final countdown

2004-12-26T17:29:00.000-02:00

Hi everyone!
Chirstmas is over and now all the attentions are drawn towards the New Years Eve. For those in Rio de Janeiro, still loads of things to be done before the super-mega-ultra party on the beach to wave 2004 good bye!

Dec 27th - monday
On Monday, the best bet for those that likes alternative Rock n’ Roll is Maldita. This party happens on Casa da Matriz (www.casadamatriz.com.br) , a nightclub that reminds some friend’s house. The djs Zé and Gordinho plays the best of Rock, specially from the 90ies. Maldita starts around 11 PM, and entrance costs R$ 6 until midnight and R$ 10 after. Rua Henrique de Novaes, 107 – Botafogo
Other option if you would like to check the samba that is heard all over Rio between carnival, is to go to Carioca da Gema (www.barcariocadagema.com.br) in Lapa. On Monday nights, the show is done by Paulão 7 cordas, with his band, playing all the best sambas ever made. Ave. Men de Sá, 79. Entrance around R$ 10 / 12 (depends on the day.

Dec 28th - tuesday

Tuesday, time for some tex-mex party at Guapo Loco (www.guapoloco.com.br) in Leblon. Starting on 11 PM, until 1 AM, you pay R$ 35 (if you are a guy) or R$ 15 (girls) and all the national beer, water, frozen margueritas and a surprise dish from the chef you can drink and eat are included. The ones that arrive later than 1 AM, pays R$ 20 (male) or R$ 10 (female) to enter the place, plus all you consume. The music there is pop and rock that can be listened in every pop radio station across the globe. Good things is that is full with cariocas, expecially now, when universities and schools are out for summer break. Rua Rainha Guilhermina,
Ever wanted to check those funk parties, but afraid to go into the slums / favellas? So are the middle class cariocas. Well, on Tuesday, you (and them) can check this kind of music that can’t make you stay still on Bombar Leblon (www.bombar.com.br) on Ave. General San Martin, 1011. Also, some djs play axé music (the one that is heard in Salvador during carnival ) and hip hop. Entrance R$ 20 (male) / R$ 10 (female). Starts around 10 PM.

Dec 29th - wednesday
Wednesday, before going to the night life, come to the Rio English Group meeting. We are a bunch of people that enjoy meeting new people, travellers from everywhere and locals. The only rule is to speak english, but locals can give you some portuguese lessons too. We will meet by 9 PM, at The Irish Pub – Rua Jangadeiros, 14 – Ipanema, in front of General Osório Square, next to Fazendola Restaurant. Just ask for the english Group, and they will show you where we are. http://rioenglishgroup.blogspot.com / www.theirishpubrio.com
After the meeting, how about more samba in Lapa? For Wednesday, I recomend going to Dama da Noite (www.damadanoite.com.br). Between X-mas and New Years, they are presenting shows from singers and musicians from Portela and Imperio Serrano, two samba schools very traditional and that share the same area – Madureira, in the suburbs. On Wednesday, dec 29th, Noca da Portela will be performing there. Rua Gomes Freire, 773.

Dec 30th - Thursday
On Thursday, year is almost meeting its end, how about going to the biggest brazilian music party in Lapa? Brazooka and its djay, Marcelo Janot always brings lots of people to Casa da Matriz on Fridays, with this all brazilian music party. For dec 30th, there will happen a Superbrazooka, at their other club – Teatro Odisséia (www.teatroodisseia.com.br). With Marcelo, Empolga às 9, the Casa da Matriz carnival bloco will perform live, making everything a carnival. Entrance costs R$ 16 and its all happen on Ave. Men de Sá, 66 and the houses opens on 9 Pm and the shows starts on 11 Pm.

Dec 31st - Friday
Friday, the whole thing happens on the beaches, expecially Copacabana. But this is too much info for this post. I’ll do more later on....

All best!
Gabriela

Up again in Rio

2004-12-05T16:25:00.000-02:00

Hi!
Yes, I know I've been away for sometime, but now here I am with some update on what is going on in Rio!

Here is my sugestions for what is cool going on in the city!

Many foreigners comes to Rio looking for the funk parties, with all those Miami Bass inspired music, rappers singing about their sexual conquists and the girls with the smallest clothes I've seen...
Usually, these parties happens inside the favelas (slums), which has not been a cool place to be around these days. But on the next friday 10th - There will be a funk party in Lapa, at the Circo Voador - http://www.circovoador.com.br . The party is called HAPAX , and Tati Quebra-Barraco, Mr. Catra and Bateria da Grande Rio (drummers from a samba school) will play. Gates will be open by 10 PM Tickets cost R$20 . The Circo Voador is located on the heart of Lapa, below the arches.

On that same day, good options for those that want to discover the brazilian Rock n' roll. For those fans of a more melodic kind of tune, with good conections with samba, brazilian popular music, jazz, you must go to the Los Hermanos concert, in Canecão (near Rio Sul), on friday 10th / saturday 11th / sunday 12th. Even having and latin name, this 3 guys band was formed on the Catholic University patio, on the begining of the 90ies. To get to know more of them, here is their website - http://www.loshermanos.com.br. Shows starts around 10 PM and tickets are from R$ 30 to R$ 45.

The sugar loaf is also a place for some rock n'roll this weekend. Titãs, one of the oldest rock bands in Brasil (they have been on the market since the 80ies) will be playing on the project "Oi Noites Cariocas", at the Morro da Urca, on friday 10th and saturday 11th. Tickets with the tram ride included cost R$ 80. More info on the website - http://www.oinoitescariocas.com.br

Later on, more news about the Samba schools reharshals. Stay tuned!

Besides the film festival

2004-09-25T11:00:00.000-03:00

Yes, I know that there is much more happening in town than this huge film festival! So, here are some things going on in Rio

- The samba clubs in Lapa: they are always a must go! I like expecially Carioca da Gema, Dama da Noite and Memórias do Rio. Carioca is at Ave. Men de Sá, two blocks from the big arches of lapa. The other two are on the same street, Av. Gomes Freire (thats the next street after Carioca da Gema, that crosses Ave. Men de Sá), if you turn left, there is Dama; if you choose make a right, a couple of blocks down, there is Memórias. All with good food, live music and people

- Also in Lapa (has anyone noticed how I love that area?), there is an amazing show tonight. I'm dying because I won't be able to go, since I've already plans for the night, and I had already seen this show twice. Lenine, a great composer and singer, will be performing at Circo Voador (just below the arches). He is from Pernambuco, but have lived in Rio all his life. Tickets R$ 24.

- On the south zone, check Casa da Matriz. No matter which party they have, is good, for those that like alternative music, which a good audience. More info on their website - www.casadamatriz.com.br
- the last one: Samba schools have already started their reharshals and choosing their songs for next year parade. For tonight, I'd reckon three: Mangueira (Rua Visconde de Niterói - Maracanã) / Salgueiro (Rua Silva Teles - Tijuca) / Vila Isabel (av. 28 de setembro - Vila Isabel) . Take a taxi and say you want to go to "quadra da Mangueira / Salgueiro / Vila Isabel". Tickets cost around R$ 10 - 20

thats all for now!
Gabriela

International Film Festival in Rio

2004-09-18T13:26:00.000-03:00

Hi everyone, here is my list for the international film festival that starts on sept 24th.
The tickets can be bought starting on sept 21, at Rua Voluntários da Pátria, 53. They vary between R$ 12 and R$ 4, depending on where is the movie theater.

Here is my list: on the parentheses, is the title of the movie in portuguese
Sat 25th
2 PM - Double Agent (Agente Duplo) , from Eric Rohmer, about spies during the Spanish Civil War, in the 30ies. (Ipanema 2)
Sunday 26th
1:30 PM - A Thousand months (Mil Meses), from Faouzi Bensaldi, from Morroco - a 8 year old boy is between the conservative positions of his mom and the liberal positions of his grandfather. (Botafogo2)
6 PM - Control Room (Central Al Jazzera) - about Al Jazzera tv channel (Unibanco 3 - Botafogo) 9:30 PM - Born into brothels (Nascidos em Bordéis) - about the children of the prostitutes in Calcutta, won an award in Sundance ( Unibanco 3 - Botafogo)
Saturday 2nd october
4 PM - The selling of the Pentagon (O Pentágono à Venda) - from Peter Davies, about the machine of advertising from the Pentagon.(Unibanco 3- Botafogo)
8:30 PM - Deewaar - indian movie from Bollywood, about a indian that is captive from pakistani for 30 years. (Botafogo 2)
Sunday october 3rd
6:30 PM - 18 J (Premiere Latina) - 10 episodes by argentinian directors about the attack to the israelli association in Buenos Aires (Unibanco 1- Botafogo)
15h- Dev - bollywood movie also - 2 cops get togheter to fight against a criminal and a cop. (Botafogo 2)
Thursday 7th
10 PM - Nine Songs (9 canções) - In london, the love story of a couple is told by their sex life. Performances of Primal Scream, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Franz Ferdinand (Unibanco 2 - Botafogo)

Thats all for now, good festival to everyone! Gabriela

What's up in Rio

2004-09-12T20:36:00.000-03:00

Hi everyone! This blog was created to give to the backpackers and independent tourists in Rio an local eye on the attractions that are going on in Rio. If you have any especific question regarding that, send an email to gabriela.godoi@gmail.com
I'll try to update this every sunday, with a good review about what is going on the city daylife and expecially, nightlife!

have a good time in Rio!

Gabriela

What's up from mon 13th to sat 18th?

2004-09-12T16:56:00.000-03:00

Hi!
To start, I'll post some events that will happen this week in Rio, at night. If you have any doubt or want other info, leave a comment.

monday - sep 13th
The best bet of the night is Orquestra Imperial. It is a big band formed by regular muscians, that during the week play with their bands. So, on their only day off - which is monday - they get together to play old sambas and romantic latino songs. Pay attention on the beautiful voices of Thalma de Freitas and Nina Becker, they are great! This all happens at http://www.ballroom.com.br, at Rua Humaitá, 110 - Humaitá (just after Botafogo). The show starts around 11 PM and tickets costs R$ 20

tuesday - sep 14th
For the night, try some bossa nova and jazz, at Centro Cultural Memórias do Rio (Ave. Gomes Freire, 289 - Lapa). Its starts at 6 PM and costs R$ 10.

wednesday sep 15th
DJ Marcelo Janot hosts an all brazilian music party in Leblon every wednesday - Identidade Musical - at Melt (Rua Rita Ludolf, 47). Costs R$ 25 and starts at 10 PM.

thursday - sep 16th
What about some black music? The Bukowski (Rua Paulino Fernandes, 7 - Botafogo) hosts the party Chá Preto Musical (Musical Black tea), with black music classicals like funk, soul, samba and rock. Costs R$ 8 and starts at 11 PM.

friday - sep 17th
I'm not a big fan of his, but 50 Cents will be playing in Rio on friday. He will be part of the Rio Rap Festival - www.riorapfestival.com.br Tickets cost around R$ 60 . The problem that the venue - Pier Mauá - may change during the week, due to problems with the loudeness of the sound and the lack of acoustic treatment on the place.

For those that want to see the real samba from Rio, the place to be is Carioca da Gema - www.barcariocadagema.com.br - friday is the night that Tereza Cristina and Grupo Semente perform. They are great! The house gets very crowded, so try to arrive as soon as possible. The venue opens at 6 PM and costs R$ 16

saturday - sep 18th
Every friday there is this very cool party at http://www.casadamatriz.com.br in Botafogo, called Brazooka. Once a month, the owners do a big edition of this party on their other club, in Lapa - http://www.teatroodisseia.com.br, called Superbrazooka. DJ Marcelo Janot play only brazilian music, going from samba, old bossa nova, brazilian pop music to the latest hip hop and rock from Brazil. And the live attraction will be the house Bloco - Empolga às 9. Its at Ave. Men de Sá, 66 - Lapa. Starts at 10 PM and costs R$ 16

BEST BET: Its hard to judge, but I have two favorites: Orquestra Imperial on monday and the Super Brazooka on saturday.