Rio de Janeiro Nightlife Guide for Friday, April 17, 2026

MPB · Clube da Esquina · Landmark

Beto Guedes presents “Página 43” — a project in which one of the founding voices of the Clube da Esquina movement revisits his trajectory and previews the celebration of the 50th anniversary of “A Página do Relâmpago Elétrico” (1977). That album — his first solo record, released at age 26 — established Beto Guedes as one of the most important artists in Brazilian music: the voice that could move from a whisper to a cry within a single phrase, the guitar that bridged rock and the landscape of Minas Gerais, the songwriter who wrote “Amor de Índio” (which would become one of the most beloved songs in the Brazilian canon when recorded on Sol de Primavera in 1979). He was there at the creation alongside Milton Nascimento, Lô Borges, and Toninho Horta — the mineiro constellation that built one of the most original musical movements in the world. “Página 43” revisits this catalogue with the perspective of nearly fifty years: the songs remain, the voice has deepened, and the stage at the Blue Note’s Copacabana room brings the intimacy the music demands. From 8 pm. Tickets via Eventim.

Tribute · Acoustic · Late

The late session belongs to the João Xenakis Quarteto presenting “Tributo Cat Stevens e James Taylor” — a celebration of two of the most important acoustic singer-songwriters of the 1970s through Brazilian instrumental interpretation. Cat Stevens (“Wild World,” “Father and Son,” “Peace Train”) and James Taylor (“Fire and Rain,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” “Carolina in My Mind”) represent the golden age of confessional folk-pop songwriting. The quarteto reimagines these catalogues with the harmonic sophistication of Brazilian instrumental music — the melodies remain, but the treatment draws from jazz, bossa nova, and choro. The pairing with Beto Guedes at 8 pm creates a Friday double bill rooted in the acoustic singer-songwriter tradition across two continents: Minas Gerais at 8, London and Carolina at 10:30. From 10:30 pm. Tickets via Eventim.

Samba · Peak · Maximum

The full Lapa triangle at peak Friday. Rio Scenarium packed across three floors — feijoada from noon, night programme from 7 pm, running past 2 am. Cover R$40–60. Book via Sympla or arrive before 8 pm. Carioca da Gema in full flight from ~7:30 pm (show 8:30 pm). Beco do Rato 6 pm–2 am — the free anchor at its most concentrated after 1 am. Nova Capela kitchen late — cabrito assado closing every Lapa Friday. The Gema-to-Scenarium-to-Beco crawl is at its best tonight. 25 °C, clear — the Lapa streets are comfortable.

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