Pernambuco Invades Lapa

By Maíra Amorim, Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO – The sounds of Pernambuco are going to invade Lapa on Thursday, April 30th. Two bands from the Northeast of the country will perform at Fundição Progresso to herald the Rio city holiday May 1st, Dia do Trabalho (Labor Day), providing a good opportunity to enjoy a very special edition of Festa Phunk! with Cordel do Fogo Encantado e Seu Chico.

Cordel is a band that comes from Arcoverde, a small city in Pernambuco state, which started out as a poetry and theater project. Music became their main focus later, but they haven’t forgotten their performance-based roots with concerts that are genuine spectacles. This is mainly thanks to José Paes de Lira, Lirinha, the charismatic leader and singer of the band who combines a powerful voice with a strong and theatrical presence on stage.

In this show, they are going to play songs from their last album “Transfiguração” (Transfiguration), such as “Aqui (ou Memórias do Cárcere)” (Here (or Memories from Prison)) and “O Sinal Ficou Verde (ou Além do Bem e do Mal) (The light has turned green (or beyond good and evil)) and also older hits like “Chover” (To Rain) and “Tempestade” (Storm). The group is completed by Emerson Calado, Rafa Almeida, Nego Henrique and Clayton Barros.

Seu Chico, a new but already hugely popular band, is set to perform after Cordel. They have won over audiences and the critics in a very short time, performing new versions of Chico Buarque’s songs – one of the most loved of Brazil’s singer/songwriters.

The group approaches this with creativity and respect to the original harmonies and melodies of Chico’s music. As such, the keywords to their approach and success are “care and fun”, according to Tibério Azul, the singer.

Critics all over Brazil have been pointing out the quality of the group’s musicians – the young pianist Vitor Araújo has already received good reviews last year for his combination of erudition and rock’n’roll. Along with the guitar player Dom Ângelo and the percussionist Bruno Cupim, Azul and Araújo recorded Seu Chico’s first DVD in March, which should be released within a few months.

Before, during set breaks, and after the concerts, the DJs from Festa Phunk! – Saens Pena, Artur Miró and Coisa Fina – and the VJs Simpla, Timba and Milena Sá will be performing the different “grooves” from the party. Phunk! started out in 2001 and has since become a hugely popular night out in Rio, and this party is set to broaden that reputation still further.

Cordel do Fogo Encantado + Seu Chico + Festa Phunk!
April 30th (Thursday), 10pm
Fundição Progresso
 Rua dos Arcos, 24, Lapa – Rio de Janeiro
Tel.: (21) 2220-5070
http://www.fundicaoprogresso.com.br
R$20 (with student card) and R$40 – In advance