São Paulo Nightlife Guide for Thursday, March 12, 2026

Indiana Nomma is one of the most remarkable voices in Brazilian music — and one of the least known. Born in Honduras to a Brazilian political exile and his partner, raised across five countries before arriving in Brazil at age eleven, Nomma was recognised by the heirs of Mercedes Sosa as the official interpreter of the Argentine folk icon’s work worldwide. That designation — the equivalent, as one journalist put it, of being named the authorised voice of Elis Regina — gives tonight’s show a weight that goes beyond tribute. “Tributo Oficial a Mercedes Sosa — A Voz dos Sem Voz, Volume II” brings Sosa’s repertoire to the Blue Note stage: “Gracias a la vida,” “Todo cambia,” “Alfonsina y el mar” and the songs that made Sosa one of the most important voices of the twentieth century. Nomma performs with violinist André Pinto Siqueira and a small ensemble. Her voice carries the depth of Sosa’s original while grounding the material in Brazilian inflection. This is the early session at 8 pm. The calçadão and piano bar open from 5 pm with free entry. Tickets via Eventim. Porto Bank cardholders receive 30% off tickets and 15% off consumption.

The late session at the Blue Note SP belongs to Tali — daughter of Deise Cipriano, the late vocalist of Fat Family, the group that brought family harmony and soul music into Brazilian mainstream consciousness in the 1990s and 2000s. Tali carries the genetic inheritance — vocal power, stage presence, emotional directness — but constructs her own trajectory. Tonight’s set presents original compositions alongside reinterpretations of Jill Scott and Alicia Keys, with the Fat Family catalogue woven through as tribute and foundation. The soul and R&B repertoire is presented in an intimate format designed for the Blue Note’s 800-square-metre salão — voice at close range, with the Paulista skyline visible through the windows. This is part of the Mês da Mulher programme. Show at 10:30 pm. Tickets via Eventim. Tomorrow (Friday): the Blue Note week continues with double sessions at 20h and 22h30 — check Eventim for the Friday lineup. Saturday: “O Som Delas” — Big Band Brasil Jazz Sinfônica at 20h and 22h30.

Night two of Ayrton Montarroyos’ “Estudando Ary Barroso” laboratory at the Casa de Francisca. Last night’s guest was Mônica Salmaso; tonight it is João Camarero — a guitarist of the younger generation whose technique and compositional voice have drawn comparison to Yamandu Costa and Raphael Rabello. The format remains the same: Montarroyos with Cello Cascino on violão, Ariane Rodrigues on flautas, and Arquétipo Rafa on percussion, testing arrangements for the Ary Barroso album in front of an audience. The open-rehearsal structure rewards close listening — the songs are being built, not performed. In Sala B at 21h30, Rodrigo Campos presents “Pode ser outra beleza” — solo voice, violão and occasional percussion, drawing from samba de terreiro philosophy. Campos’ samba-as-lament approach gives the Sala B an intimacy that contrasts with the Salão’s laboratory energy. In the Porão at 21h30, Hurtmold — one of Brazil’s most respected instrumental rock groups, with collaborations spanning Naná Vasconcelos, Pharoah Sanders and Bill Dixon — performs material from across their discography. The Largo opens free from 18h30 with DJ Discolada, spinning reggae, jazz, soul and forró on vinyl. Salão opens 20h. Metro Sé (Line 1).

Thursday at the Bourbon Street shifts from Wednesday’s blues focus to funk and groove. Let’s Groove Tribute brings the dancefloor hits of American funk and soul to the Moema stage — Earth, Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, Kool & The Gang, Michael Jackson, and the catalogue that defined the groove era. The Bourbon Street’s converted-theatre room seats around 500 and the sound system is consistently ranked among the best in São Paulo. The New Orleans-inspired kitchen runs full service — ceviche, ribs, burgers — alongside cold chope and cocktails. Doors at 19h30, show at 21h30. Couvert artístico R$75 first lot via Sympla. Thursday nights at the Bourbon Street tend to draw a more danceable crowd than the midweek blues sessions — arrive before 21h for a good table position. Friday: Lino Krizz (soul) at 22h. Saturday: Blues Beatles at 22h. Metro Eucaliptos (Line 5-Lilac), fifteen minutes on foot.

Thursday at the Ó do Borogodó matches Wednesday’s energy and extends it — the crowd is slightly larger, the musicians more warmed in, and the house on Rua Horácio Lane, 21, in Pinheiros fills with the same samba de raiz commitment that has defined its weekly rotation since 2001. Thursday hours run from 22h to 3h, with live samba from around midnight. The repertoire centres on partido-alto, samba de terreiro and choro standards. The cover charge is typically R$20. The room is compact — exposed brick, a small scattering of tables, a sound that fills every corner. Cold beer, caipirinhas, and boteco food — caldo de feijão, sardine sandwich, carne-seca with abóbora. Thursday is the last night before the weekend ramp-up: Friday brings a rotating guest artist, Saturday is the biggest night with feijoada in the afternoon and samba through 3 am. Metro Vila Madalena (Line 2-Green) or Faria Lima (Line 4-Yellow), ten minutes on foot.

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