Grupo Puro Acaso
Posted in Activities, Rio de Janeiro on 27. Mar, 2011
Hi all,
One of the cool things about living in Rio, as opposed to just visiting for a few days, is that I get introduced to places and activities that the average tourist would probably miss.
Last weekend the lady I’ve been dating invited me to see a band at a place in Botafogo called Tabuleiro ba Baiana. A “baiana” is a woman from the Brazilian state of Bahia. “Tabuleiro” I had to look up, and can mean either a (baking) tray or a board, as for playing games. I’m guessing the second meaning is what the proprietor had in mind, but who knows.
Tourists to Rio typically hang out in Copacabana or Ipanema, which are both cool places. Tabuleiro is located in Botafogo, which is lies on the other side of some high granite hills from Copa, and is connected to her by a couple of tunnels. Tourists don’t find their way here as often, except perhaps passing through on the way to a wild night in Lapa. But Botafogo, a middle class part of Rio, has a lot of fun places to go. It also has a very upscale shopping mall, Rio Sul, and Tabuleiro happens to be located just to the side of Rio Sul, up on the side of one of those granite hills.
The atmosphere is very relaxing. Some of the seating is under canopies, some al fresco. Tabuleiro sits on a shelf cut out of the hillside, and the native rock, festooned with vines, creepers, and tropical flowers, forms the backdrop to the stage. Soft ambient lighting gives the place an exotic feel – especially after a couple of caipirinhas.
The group we saw is called “Puro Acaso”, which means “Pure Chance”. They play traditional samba and pagode music, but also tunes with a bit more energy. They are a very tight band and very enjoyable. The lead singer (whose name escapes me at the moment) is very charismatic. I’ll embed a promo clip produced by the band:
If you have a chance to see these guys while you are in town, do so. Cover typically ranges between 10-10 reais depending on venue. You can follow them on Twitter at grupopuroacaso.
Até mais, guys!
John
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You should have taken pictures of the venue too, John!
I will next time. I didn’t have my camera with me. Often I use my iPod to get video clips, but it was full! Anyway, take my word it is a very cool venue.
Ok, I will! I’m trying to picture where exactly it is located. Sort of on the hill between the beach and Rio Sul shopping? Is it the hill through which the tunnel on Princesa Isabel is cut? Anyway, I’m just bored at work. Don’t feel you have to answer…
Tabuleiro is actually the first meaning you gave. The baking tray. That’s where they put their food out on the street to sell.
Here is a picture: http://www.bahianoticias.com.br/fotos/editor/Image/baiana_de_acaraje.jpg