By Beatriz Miranda, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Today, Thursday, March 1st, Rio de Janeiro celebrates its 453rd birthday with diverse events spread across the city. Throughout day, Cariocas, travelers and all Rio’s residents can enjoy a line-up that includes a panel on Rio’s cultural scene, free performances and promotions on bars and restaurants.
At Museu do Amanhã (Museum of Tomorrow), in Praça Mauá, Centro, there will be free entrance for visitors from 10AM to 5PM. The museum will also promote the panel discussion “O Rio pelo olhar de seus museus” (Rio through the eyes of its museums), in which representatives from thirty Carioca institutions will reflect on Rio’s cultural scene. The panel will happen from 2PM to 6PM.
Also taking place in Centro tonight is “Rio Baila Rio”, project by Rio’s Culture Bureau that promotes free shows in the city’s public squares. From 5PM to 9PM, the Bianchinni Orchestra will perform at Largo da Carioca, in Centro. With over 35 years of career, the eclectic band is dedicated to MPB, samba and jazz music, playing from Frank Sinatra to Lulu Santos.
Starting from 6PM, ball “Baile Charme Black Bom” will make everyone dance at Praça Mauá, in Centro. Run by cultural collective Consciência Tranquila, the ball spins the best relics of the Brazilian and American black music, from the 1970s to the present day. At the event, there will also be a food and arts market led by Afro-entrepreneurs.
In Zona Sul, bar Inverso Gávea, in Gávea, prepared a special musical line-up for Rio’s birthday. At 8PM, group Rafael Lobo and Samba Forte will play traditional samba music at the venue, paying tribute to renowned Carioca composers, like Paulinho da Viola, Nelson Cavaquinho, Candeia, Cartola and Noel Rosa.
At Legião Carioca, in Botafogo, the Dream Bier brewery will release tonight the label “Rio UP”. What’s more, there will be double doses on draught beer from 8PM to 10PM for R$13 (300 ml). Those who feel like having some finger food to accompany the beer should try their “feijoada fritters”, a favorite in Carioca botecos.