Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ENTERTAINMENT IN BRAZIL
Entertainment in Brazil varies
activity with Brazilians. In a country
known for the richness of its rhythms,
there are venues catering to all kinds
of music and dancing, from forró ,
samba , and axé to techno and
electronic music. Outdoor activi-
ties, such as soccer and volleyball,
are national pastimes. Water
parks, beaches, and public gar-
dens are also good places to enjoy the
warm weather and outdoor activities.
according to the region and the
city, but one thing is certain -
Brazilians love going to bars, cafés,
or botecos (a kind of bar with
snacks and an old-fashioned
atmosphere) to meet with friends
and drink cold beer. This usually
happens before and after other
activities such as watching movies, plays,
and shows. Dancing is another popular
DJ Zod playing in
a nightclub
INFORMATION &
BOOKING
Almost every city has one
or more cultural centers.
Supported by the government
or by private companies, they
often offer cheap tickets or
free access to a variety of
events, such as plays, dance,
and art exhibitions, performed
by professional or amateur
companies.
chamber and classical music
recitals to attend. Some
performances have become
annual traditions, such as The
Passion of Christ play staged
during the Passion Week at
an open-air theater in Nova
Jerusalém (see p223) in the
state of Pernambuco. Another
big performance takes place
every January in São Vicente
(see p169), retelling the story
of the foundation the town.
Musical shows are as
prolific in Brazil. They take
place at venues ranging from
bars and theaters to sophis-
ticated cultural centers. During
music festivals, concerts are
held in open-air areas, such
as squares, public parks, or
beaches. The really big and
famous acts, which can be
costly, usually perform in the
stadia and require advance
booking of tickets.
Most Brazilian shows, such as
plays and operas, do not run
for very long and tickets must
be booked quickly. Rio and
São Paulo have specific maga-
zines with a good listing of
events and entertainment
(see p95 & p153) . In most
other Brazilian cities, local
newspapers are the best way
to find out what's on. They
usually come with special
sections or supplements on
Fridays or on weekends
showing cinema, theater, and
other entertainment listings.
Only the most active
theaters and concert houses
provide listings on a website
on the Internet. In some big
cities, shows can also be
booked via Ticketmaster
using Visa, MasterCard, and
American Express, for a small
additional service fee. Hotel
concierges can often be help-
ful and informative when it
comes to finding out what
shows are on and booking
them as well.
PERFORMING ARTS
Theater and dance shows are
popular in bigger cities in
Brazil, where the theaters
feature regular shows. At some
resorts, dance or musical per-
formances take place during
the high season, or during
specific summer or winter
festivals. Most plays run only
for a season. There is a fair
amount of traditional and
experimental theater, many
dance performances, and
DISCOUNT TICKETS &
FREE EVENTS
In general, students and
seniors (over 60) get a 50 per-
cent discount for most events.
The conditions for students
vary from state to state. In Rio
de Janeiro, any person under
the age of 21 gets a discount.
In other cities, students must
show their university identity
card. There are many free
events at museums and cul-
tural centers, but as they
always become crowded
quickly, arriving early is wise.
A view of the private boxes in the Teatro Amazonas, Manaus (see pp282-3)
 
 
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