By Chesney Hearst, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The second night of Viradão Carioca 2013 continued as scheduled despite heavy rains late on Saturday, April 13th. The public music festival features over fifty Brazilian artists playing for free on five stages spread throughout Rio and the neighboring cities of Nova Iguaçu and Niterói.
Included among the acts on Saturday night were the band Os Titãs who played on the Praça das Juras stage located in Bangu.
“This event is as amazing for us as for the people. It’s a show that belongs to everyone because it is free and we are very happy to be here,” said Os Titãs guitarist Tony Belloto.
Brazilain axé singer, Daniela Mercury also played on Saturday night to a packed crowd in Parque Madureira. The singer who recently made headlines for announcing her relationship with a women, opened her show a little before 10PM by saying “Save the love, freedom and human rights.”
Mercury added later, “Out Feliciano. This country does not deserve an MP like this.” A reference to the ongoing controversy over the election of Marco Feliciano as president of Brazil’s Human Rights and Minorities Commission on March 7th.
On Friday, April 12th more than 120,000 people attended Viradão Carioca’s opening night shows which featured acts including: MC Leozinho, Késia Estácio, Gabriel O Pensador and Monobloco among others.
Sunday’s shows will begin at 5PM. Singers Arlindo Cruz and Preta Gil are scheduled to play the Niterói stage located in Praça do Teatro Popular, downtown Niterói. While DJ Egil Jr, Tupiniquim, Jazz Orquestra, Historic Brazilian Jazz Band and Abayomy Afrobeat Orquestra will play the Palco Arpoador stage located in Parque Garota in Ipanema. The band Blitz will also play at Parque Madureira.
Read more (in Portuguese)
* The Rio Times Daily Updates feature is offered to help keep you up-to-date with important news as it happens.