Cultural calendar

This page holds a cultural and nightlife calendar for the cities of Recife and Olinda. It is updated weekly. If you're planning to be in Olinda/Recife, bookmark this page and visit it near the date of your visit for a full itinerary of cultural activities, nightlife and music. This post was last updated on November 22.

******************* THIS WEEK *******************

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 22

- CENA BRASIL 2009: The Festival Cena Brasil 2009 will take over the Refinaria Cultural Nascedouro de Peixinhos to celebrate the Semana da Consciência Negra. Catch art, music, sport and workshops. On Sunday, at the outdoor stage, starting at 16h, catch Feeahia, Chão Céu, Coco de Malê, Circo Vivant and Encontro Batuqueiros. At the indoor stage, starting at 19h, catch Via Sat, Etnia, Carfarx, Alegoria da Caverna and Maciel Salú. This takes place at the Refinaria Cultural Nascedouro de Peixinhos, Av. Jardim Brasília, Peixinhos. I'll post bus directions later this week.

- CUMBIA: Olinda's Academia da Berlinda will perform their repertoire of cumbia and merengue in the backyard of their own studio. Where? Rua de São Bento, 179 (near the Prefeitura), in Olinda's historic center. Starts at 15h. Cover is R$10 (singles) and R$15 (couples)

- PITOMBEIRA: The Bloco Pitombeira dos Quatro Cantos will hold a Carnaval rehearsal at 16h at their headquarters in the historic center of Olinda.

- UPFE: At the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (Lago do Cavouco, UFPE, Cidade Universitaria, Recife), catch Domingo no campus. Starts at 14h, it's free, and the performers will be Lula Queiroga, Maracatu Várzea do Capibaribe, N’Zambi, O Quadro, and Som de Bardo. To get there from Olinda, catch the Rio Doce/CDU bus.

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 24

- BODEGA DE VEIO: This popular bar in Rua do Amparo, in Olinda, gathers a crowd, with or without live music. But on Tuesdays catch Terça de Vinil, an all-vinyl evening of old school Brazilian tunes. For more information click here. Free; 19h to 23h.

- TERÇA NEGRA: This is a weekly show that focuses on black culture in the Northeast, that takes place at the Pátio de São Pedro (Recife Centro, near Av. Dantas Barreto). 19h.

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 27

- SERESTA: Every Friday night at 22h a seresta (serenade) takes over the streets of Olinda, leaving from the Praça Conselheiro João Alfredo (Igreja de São Pedro Mártir) and marching around town, singing classic songs accompanied by violins, guitars and other instruments.

- RABECA: Every Friday catch forró with the group Santos de Casa at the Pitombeira dos Quatro Cantos (Rua 27 de janeiro, 128, Historic Center, Olinda). Starts at 23h. Cover R$3.

- MARACATU: At the Rua da Moeda (Recife Antigo), starting at 23h, catch a maracatu rehearsal.

- RAWK: The Festival Desbunde Elétrico Olinda, at the Black Jack Pub in Olinda's historic center, will feature local rock bands Feiticeiro Julião, 4th Astral and Anjo Gabriel. Starts at 22h and cover is R$7.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 28

- RABECA: Mestre Salustiano's family hosts a night of forró at their own home, the Casa da Rabeca, starting at 22h. To get there, take a bus along the PE-15 and from there another bus to Cidade Tabajara. Portuguese knowledge essential. Buses stop running at 23h or so; therefore, a taxi back is highly recommended. This week catch Eduardo Anísio e Banda Jaqueta de Couro, Sintonia Pé de Serra and Dinda Salú.

- PRETO VELHO: This is a samba house in Alto da Sé, in Olinda, with an awesome view from the back and lively music on Saturdays: frevo, samba and afoxé from 15h until the evening.

- CHORO: The group Pedacinho do Choro performs at 19h at the Bodega de Véio (Rua do Amparo, Olinda).

- TOCANDO PIFANOS: Fife groups from Pernambuco, Paraíba and Ceará will participate in the Encontro de Bandas de Pífano. Daytime activities take place at the Teatro Mamulengo Só Riso (Rua 13 de maio). For more info, including a full schedule, check their website by clicking here. In the evenings, documentaries and live music at the Praça Laura Nigro (in front of the Museu do Mamulengo, Rua de São Bento, historic center of Olinda). At 19h: Documentary Manuel Inácio e a Música do Começo do Mundo. At 20h: Shows by Zabumbeiros de Tacaratu (PE), Banda cabaçal São Sebastião (PB), and João do Pife & Banda Dois irmãos (PE).

- RABECA: Mestre Salustiano's family hosts a night of forró at their own home, the Casa da Rabeca, starting at 22h. To get there, take a bus along the PE-15 and from there another bus to Cidade Tabajara. Portuguese knowledge essential. Buses stop running at 23h or so; therefore, a taxi back is highly recommended. This week catch Josildo Sá, Sintonia Pé de Serra and Dinda Salú.

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 29

- TOCANDO PIFANOS: Fife groups from Pernambuco, Paraíba and Ceará will participate in the Encontro de Bandas de Pífano. Daytime activities take place at the Teatro Mamulengo Só Riso (Rua 13 de maio). For more info, including a full schedule, check their website by clicking here. In the evenings, documentaries and live music at the Praça Laura Nigro (in front of the Museu do Mamulengo, Rua de São Bento, historic center of Olinda). At 19h: Documentary Pífanos do Congado. At 20h: Shows by Travessão do Caroá (PE) and Irmãos Aniceto (CE).

******************* FUTURE *******************

SATURDAY DECEMBER 5

- SAMBA DE COCO: On the first Saturday of each month, from 19h until midnight, the Ponto de Cultura Coco de Umbigada hosts a night of samba de coco. The Largo da Guadalupe is within walking distance of the Historic Center; simply walk up the Rua do Amparo until the Largo do Amparo, then fork left to reach the Largo de Guadalupe.

- RABECA: Mestre Salustiano's family hosts a night of forró at their own home, the Casa da Rabeca, starting at 22h. To get there, take a bus along the PE-15 and from there another bus to Cidade Tabajara. Portuguese knowledge essential. Buses stop running at 23h or so; therefore, a taxi back is highly recommended. This week catch Geraldinho Lins, Sintonia Pé de Serra and Dinda Salú.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 12

- RABECA: Mestre Salustiano's family hosts a night of forró at their own home, the Casa da Rabeca, starting at 22h. To get there, take a bus along the PE-15 and from there another bus to Cidade Tabajara. Portuguese knowledge essential. Buses stop running at 23h or so; therefore, a taxi back is highly recommended. This week catch Cristina Amaral, Sintonia Pé de Serra and Dinda Salú.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 19

- RABECA: Mestre Salustiano's family hosts a night of forró at their own home, the Casa da Rabeca, starting at 22h. To get there, take a bus along the PE-15 and from there another bus to Cidade Tabajara. Portuguese knowledge essential. Buses stop running at 23h or so; therefore, a taxi back is highly recommended. This week catch Iráh Caldeira, Sintonia Pé de Serra and Dinda Salú.

Music from Pernambuco - Pernambuco Nação Cultural

Pernambuco Nação Cultural (a state government agency in charge of promoting cultural events) has released two promotional CDs, excellent compilations of local artists and bands. If you are interested in music from the Brazilian Northeast, this is an excellent sampler. Here is the description (English translation copied from their website):

The Tradicional and contemporany music from the State of Pernambuco, in Northeast Brazil, has always circulated at an international level, but the phenomenon has intensified since 1990's, thanks to names such as Chico Science & Nação Zumbi, Mundo Livre S/A, DJ Dolores, Lenine, Mestre Ambrósio, Otto, Spock Frevo Orquestra, Siba e a Fuloresta, Silvério Pessoa, Lia de Itamaracá and many others. In addition to its musical production, the State has the beste and democratic Carnaval in Brazil and major musical events, such as the international Porto Musical conference, Abril pro Rock Festival, Rec Beat Festival, Festival de Inverno de Garanhuns, São João season in Caruaru, and much more. Here, we present you with the third edition of Music from Pernambuco compilation, which promotes new productions of already known artists and, in particular, the production of new generation of artists and bands. Music From Pernambuco III is a partnership of Astronava Iniciativas Culturais, the State of Pernambuco and Fundarpe. Enjoy this jorney thru one of Brazil's most musical State.

The site is a bit overloaded, however, so be patient if the download is slow. Also, the MP3 files are not tagged properly, but their website has a full track listing with artist/track names so you can manually correct it.

Download CD1
Download CD2

Festival da Cultura Judaica

Recife hosts the third annual "Festival da Cultura Judaica" this weekend.

On Saturday November 21, at 16h, catch a film festival at the Centro Israelita de Pernambuco (rua José de Holanda #792 - Torre, Recife). Bring a kilo of non perishable food.

On Sunday November 22, from 15h to 21h, catch a street fair containing books, artwork, religious items, films and food at the Rua Bom Jesus in Recife Antigo. At 16h, there is a free guided visit to the Sinagoga Kahal Zur Israel (first in the Americas). In the evening, starting at 18h30, catch music and cultural presentation on the outdoor stage.

Tocando Pífanos: Fife groups unite in Olinda

Fife groups from Pernambuco, Paraíba and Ceará will participate in the Encontro de Bandas de Pífano, taking place November 28 and 29 in Olinda. All activities will take place at the Teatro Mamulengo Só Riso (Rua 13 de maio) and the Praça Laura Nigro (in front of the Museu do Mamulengo, Rua de São Bento). In addition to the music shows, the encounter, titled Tocando Pífanos, will include workshops, books, art and discussions. Here is the schedule for the evening shows:

SATURDAY November 28
19h - Documentary Manuel Inácio e a Música do Começo do Mundo
20h - Shows by Zabumbeiros de Tacaratu (PE), Banda cabaçal São Sebastião (PB), and João do Pife & Banda Dois irmãos (PE)

SUNDAY November 29
19h - Documentary Pífanos do Congado
20h - Shows by Travessão do Caroá (PE) and Irmãos Aniceto (CE)

For more info, including a full schedule, check their website by clicking here.

Latest beach conditions for the state of Pernambuco

The Agencia Estadual de Meio Ambiente e Recursos Hídricos (State Agency for the Environment and Water Resources) checks the conditions of beaches in Pernambuco two to four times a month. The location given in parenthesis is where the water sample was taken from.

Before going to the beach, I encourage you to check whether they are free of pollution by consulting the list below (Last updated on November 13, 2009). The beaches are roughly listed south to north.

BEACHES INAPPROPRIATE FOR BATHING
Barra de Sirinhaém (Escola Municipal Leonildo da Silva)
Barra de Sirinhaém (Ondas da Barra)
Paulista - Janga (Rua Cláudio Severino Bastos, no. 190)
Itamaracá - Pilar (Igreja do Pilar)
Goiana - Pontas de Pedra (Praia do Meio)
Goiana - Pontas de Pedra (Praia de Pedrinhas)

BEACHES APPROPRIATE FOR BATHING
São José da Coroa Grande (Rua da Matriz near rua João Francisco Melo)
Tamandaré (Rua Nilo Gouveia Filho)
Tamandaré (Hotel Marinas)
Guadalupe (Near Rio Formoso)
Ponta de Serrambi
Porto de Galinhas
Gaibu (Av. Laura Cavalcanti)
Jaboatão - Barra de Jangadas (Marina dos Mares)
Jaboatão - Candeias (Restaurante Candelária)
Jaboatão - Candeias (Av. Bernardo Vieira de Melo, 4799)
Jaboatão - Piedade (Rua Miguel Arcanjo and Av. Beira-Mar, 1800)
Jaboatão - Piedade (Hospital da Aeronáutica)
Jaboatão - Piedade (Av. Bernardo Vieira de Melo near Rua Goiânia)
Recife - Boa Viagem (Av. Boa Viagem, 6958 - Posto 15)
Recife - Boa Viagem (Av. Boa Viagem, 5868 - Posto 14)
Recife - Boa Viagem (Av. Boa Viagem, 5000 - Posto 12)
Recife - Boa Viagem (Av. Boa Viagem, 3672 - Posto 10)
Recife - Boa Viagem (Av. Boa Viagem, 2840 - Posto 8, near Padaria Boa Viagem)
Recife - Boa Viagem (Av. Boa Viagem, 1320 - Posto 5)
Recife - Pina (Av. Boa Viagem, 978 - Posto 4)
Recife - Pina (Rua Com. Morais near the Cassino Americano)
Olinda - Rio Doce (Rua Frederico Lundgren)
Olinda - Rio Doce (Rua Paulo Nunes Queiroz)
Olinda - Casa Caiada (Supermercado Bompreço)
Olinda - Casa Caiada (Olinda Praia Clube)
Olinda - Casa Caiada (Av. Min. Marcos Freire, nº 3861)
Olinda - Bairro Novo (Av. Min. Marcos Freire, nº 2039, near the Military area)
Olinda - Bairro Novo (Av. Min. Marcos Freire, nº 1387, near Colégio Bairro Novo)
Olinda - Carmo (Historic Center)
Olinda - Milagres (Praça dos Milagres)
Paulista - Maria Farinha (Cabanga Iate Clube)
Paulista - Pau Amarelo (Forte de Pau Amarelo)
Paulista - Conceição (Near the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição)
Paulista - Janga (Rua Betânia)
Itamaracá - Jaguaribe (Rua Santino de Barros)
Itamaracá - Forte Orange
Goiana - Carne de Vaca (Igreja Santana)
Goiana - Catuama (Igreja Matriz)

I try to update this post whenever the data provided by the government changes.