Rio Hosts Jazz and Beer Festival in Urca Today Through Sunday

By Jack Arnhold, Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – This Friday, March 30th, to Sunday, April 1st, the beautiful Praia Vermelha (Red Beach) and the adjacent Praça General Tibúrcio, in Urca, will be hosting a free event featuring artisanal beer and food, as well as a live performance by local Rio group, El Miraculoso Samba Jazz.

The event is being hosted by Circuito Carioca who have successfully held similar style gatherings at this location before.

The main act to be performing, El Miraculoso Samba Jazz, are a well-known, local group who regularly perform their signature eclectic mix of bossa nova, samba, jazz and funk throughout Rio’s squares, bars and festivals.

They recently entertained jazz aficionados at the TAU jazz festival on Olympic Boulevard. Attendees can expect to hear inventive re-imaginings of songs by artists as diverse as Chico Buarque, Tim Maia, Chet Baker and Dizzy Gillespie.

With the popularity of craft beer exploding in the city, craft beer festivals have become a staple of Rio de Janeiro’s cultural life, such as the annual Lagoa blues and beer festival, the Rio Craft Beer Festival in Gávea, and the Casa Rosa Food Park events.

Rio even has boasts its own craft beer micro-brewery, shop and cultural hub, Jeffrey’s Craft Beer Brewery in Leblon, which regularly puts on events and parties.

In addition to sampling some excellent artisanal food and drink, Praia Vermelha (Red Beach), and the surrounding area of Morro da Urca, are some of the most beautiful open-air spaces in Rio de Janeiro.

What: Urca Samba Beer Fest on Praia Vermelha, Urca
When: Friday, March 30th – Sunday, April 1st from 3PM – 11PM
Where: Praça General Tibúrcio, Urca 22290-240, RJ
Entrance: Free