Rio Nightlife Celebrated at Prêmio Noite Rio Awards

By Chesney Hearst, Senior Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Celebrating the best of the party industry and creative economy in Rio de Janeiro, the 2014 Prêmio Noite Rio awards ceremony took place on the night of Tuesday November 25th at Imperator Centro cultural João Nogueira in Méier.

Presented by SESI Cultural and FIRJAN (the Federation of the Industries of Rio de Janeiro State), the ceremony awarded nineteen juried prizes and four awards chosen by popular vote to Rio venues, parties, DJs, and performers. Rio DJ, Sany Pitbull headed the committee of eleven jurors who chose the best of nineteen categories.

Entrepreneur of the Year was awarded to Mateus Aragão, the man behind the Rio Parada Funk and Eu Amo Baile Funk events. The popular Lapa establishment Circo Voador won for Best Arena de Show (Live Show Venue).

Copacabana’s Fosfobox was awarded Melhor Casa Noturna (Best House of the Night, Club) and the Cave in Aproador was named the Best New Stage. Barra Music in Barra da Tijuca was named The Best Structure, for the venue’s design and layout.

The events, Baile da Favorita and Wobble tied for Best Party and Cypher na Rua took home the award for Best Festa Baixada (Street Party). The urban art festival, Arte Core, which recently held its second edition, was awarded best festival with up to 5,000 people, while Oi Futuro Ipanema, which is currently hosting the Sonoridades Music Festival 2014, was named the Melhor Palco Lançamento (The Best Stage for Launches).

In the DJ categories, Roger Lyra won for best electronica; Dennis DJ was named the best DJ for funk; Pachu took home the prize for the best soul/hip-hop DJ; Zeh Pretim for pop, DJ MAM won for MPB/Regional; and DJ Terror for the best Rock DJ.

Additionally the jury named Carol Sampaio the best PR/promoter and Clarisse Miranda the best hostess. Apavoramento Sound System was named best VJ of the year and Raul Aragão won for best photographer.

Four categories were voted on by the public with the organization stating they received over 40,000 votes. Voters chose Barra Music as Melhor Casa Noturna (Best House of the Night, Club) and Baile Charme do Viaduto Madureira as the best party. They also voted Corello as the best DJ and agreed with the jury, naming Circo Voador as Best Arena de Show (Live Show Venue).

Also during the award ceremony, Fernanda Abreu and Rafael Mike performed and DJ Sany Pitbull, the Dream Team do Passinho, Donatinho, Jorge Ailton, Guilherme Gé and Marcelo Vig were on hand to participate as part of the event.

Additionally a special tribute was paid to Rio DJ and broadcaster José Roberto Mahr. Witnessing the best clubs, venues, DJs and music in Rio for over three decades, Mahr became a DJ in the 80s and also presented the radio program, “Novas tendências” (New Trends) from 1984 through 1997. He currently works at 00 (Zero Zero) in Gávea.

For more information about Rio venues, clubs, parties, DJs and upcoming events, be sure to also check out The Rio Times Nightlife Guide.