Out and About in São Paulo: October

By Maria Lopez Conde, Senior Contributing Reporter

SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL – São Paulo may be the country’s financial capital, and world’s seventh largest city by population, but Paulistanos also know how to unwind. The metropolis’ endless array of cultural offerings are the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle, so for those hitting São Paulo this month, we round up three of October’s must-see events.

The living legend that is former Beatle Ringo Starr steps onto Paulistano soil on October 29th to kick off his Latin American tour at Credicard Hall. For his third solo trip to Brazil, Starr will have classic rock fans purring with a line-up of his hits that includes “Photograph”, “It Don’t Come Easy” and “(It’s All Down To) Goodnight Vienna”.

Starr may have made his name playing the drums behind John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison, but he also picked up some vocal skills along the way. Taking the lead on at least one track on every Beatles album except “A Hard Days’ Night”, his most notable performances include “Yellow Submarine” and “With a Little Help from My Friends”. The tour marks the release of a vinyl album that brings together some of his most famous singles.

Joining the rock royalty on stage will be the members of his All Starr Band: Steve Lukather, Gregg Rolie, Richard Page, Todd Rundgren, Mark Rivera and Gregg Bissonette. São Paulo is one of their two shows in Brazil, a second performance is scheduled for Curitiba on October 31st before the band heads to Uruguay.

What: Ringo Starr and the All Starr Band
When: October 29, 2013
Where: Credicard Hall, São Paulo
Entrance: R$120 – R$660

A product of the art scene in post-military dictatorship Argentina, artist Pablo Siquier completely abandoned the use of the vibrant colors that made his name throughout the 1980s, adopting his now-characteristic black and white palette in the early 1990s. His large, intricate drawings – all entirely created by hand – are an impressive display of machine-like accuracy achieved through primitive tools, and have graced the walls of galleries and museums worldwide.

In his exhibition Contratura, hosted at the São Paulo arts powerhouse Galeria Baró, abstract art lovers will get a closer look at three of Siquier’s sizeable architectural charcoal drawings.

What: Contratura – Pablo Siquier
When: September 26, 2013 – January 18, 2014
Where: Galeria Baró, Rua Barra Funda 216, Santa Cecília, São Paulo
Entrance: FREE

An innovative event that combines São Paulo’s obsession with gastronomy and its love of the seventh art, Mesa no Cinema (Table at the Movies) invites four accomplished chefs to create meals inspired by Brazilian modern film classics. From October 14th-17th, special showings at CineSESC will be paired with dishes that suit the mood and plot of the movie, all prepared by culinary masters.

The opening night will have a musical theme thanks to last year’s “Tropicália,” a documentary that brought  together the stories of musicians from the cult genre including Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso, who were forced into exile during the Brazilian dictatorship. The second night will explore the endlessness of time with 2011’s “Girimunho”.

On October 16th, the Brazilian government’s often tempestuous relationship with the country’s indigenous communities will be on display with “Xingu” and the event’s third edition closes in style with the beautifully shot “Margaret Mee and the Moonflower”, a documentary about the life of renowned botanical illustrator, Margaret Mee.

What: Mesa No Cinema
When: October 14 – 17, 2013
Where: CineSESC – Rua Augusta 2075, Cerqueira César, São Paulo
Entrance: Check the official website