Local Expert
Lucy Bryson
I was born in rainy Manchester, UK, but made my escape to sunny Rio de Janeiro in 2006. Since then it's been hard to keep me away from the city, although I've also travelled elsewhere in Brazil and…
I was born in rainy Manchester, UK, but made my escape to sunny Rio de Janeiro in 2006. Since then it's been hard to keep me away from the city, although I've also travelled elsewhere in Brazil and South America. I'm a trained journalist and editor and have managed to fund my trips through combining my twin passions of travelling and writing - recent writing credits include updating chapters for Fodor's Brazil, Footprint Brazil and Footprint South American Handbook. I live high on a hillside in Santa Teresa - Rio's 'arty' district, and my one complaint is that I never seem to get time to visit the beach! Despite my lack of tanning time, I love Rio, and and have no intentions of returning to my wet and windy home city any time soon!
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Carioca da Gema celebrates in style
Whether you're into for samba, forro, choro or pagode, there's only one area of Rio to head for if you're looking for live music - the crumbling colonial buildings of Lapa.
And while the masses flock each weekend to the enduringly (and deservedly) popular Rio Scenarium, those in the know head round the corner to Carioca de Gema; virtually a tourist-free zone. This lively spot boasts one of the best music programmes in Rio, and this month is marking its eighth birthday with a series of extra special events and performances. Celebrated singers such as Alcione, and Nelson Sargento, will be making an appearance, much to the delight of samba fans across RIo.
Much more than just a venue for live music and dancing, Carioca da Gema also serves as a cultural space, exhibiting photographs and local artwork, and despite its small size has had a major impact on the city's live music scene. The club even has its own carnival street parade, or bloco, which in just two years has become one of the city's most popular.
Carioca da Gema is best known as a samba venue, but the proprietors like to keep things fresh by showcasing talents from other musical genres too - the last three months have seen Tuesday nights dedicated to Choro, while Tuesdays during the forthcoming two months will highlight the best of forro.