Dance entertainment in South America
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Centro Region Leonesa
The venue is off the beaten path, but true tango enthusiasts shouldn’t forgo a trip to El Niño Bien, one of the city’s most atmospheric milongas. Held on Thursday nights at the Centro Region Leonesa, the event sees porteño couples embracing and twirling dramatically around a spectacular wooden dance floor as strains of Carlos Gardel’s ‘Mi Noche Triste’ (My Sad Night) crackle through the antique sound system. El Niño Bien is charmingly local – in other words, not designed for tourists – so if you’re just going to observe the scene, don’t blind the dancers with your camera flash. Just grab a table for two and play it cool with a bottle of Cabernet. Consider booking ahe…
reviewed
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Agapito
By 02:00 or so, it's time to head to the salsatecas of the Juanchito District, about 12km east of the center. A taxi should get you there from the center for about US$5. Salsatecas generally don't charge admission, and you order drinks by the bottle.
Agapito is next door to Changó, a humbler but no less sexy salsateca, which features a viejoteca on Sunday afternoon, when older folks take over the dance floor.
reviewed
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Clube Finlandês
There is now only a sprinkling of Finns among the assortment of Brazilian people, but they all get together for traditional Finnish letkiss and jenkiss dances here every Saturday night. Finnish dancing lessons are open to the public starting at 21:00. At 22:30 a local troupe presents a 40-minute traditional dance performance in Old World get up, then the dance floor is reopened to everyone for the rest of the night.
reviewed
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Juanchito District
When the sun goes down, calenõs (Cali people) have one thing on their minds - salsa. The city's best-known salsa nightlife is in the legendary Juanchito district, way south of the center. Two of the most famous salsa places here are Changó and Agapito. Come on the weekend - preferably after ten - and take a taxi or a chiva(bus)tour.
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Citibank Hall
Rio’s largest concert house tends to change names every few years, but continues to host top international and Brazilian bands. As well as music shows, Citibank Hall stages ballet, opera and an occasional circus. The hall, which seats around 6000, is in the Via Parque Shopping Center in Barra. Purchase tickets through Ticketmaster.
reviewed
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Nuth Lounge
This club (pronounced ‘Nooch’) is one of the city’s favorite dance spots, despite its location in Barra. Expect a friendly, well-dressed crowd grooving to DJs spinning electro-samba, house and hip-hop. There’s also a newer Nuth Club (Av Epitácio Pessoa 1244) in Lagoa that attracts much the same beautiful crowd.
reviewed
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Auyama Café
The rumba never stops at this boisterous, open-air lounge with a broad front terrace and various brightly lit salons. It’s for a slightly more mature set, who may want to engage in more animated conversation than sweat-soaked shamelessness on the dance floor, but it doesn’t stop the karaoke singing or salsa dancing.
reviewed
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Bip Bip
A neighborhood institution, Bip Bip has been hosting samba jams for more than 15 years. The ambience is simple: just a breadbox-sized storefront with tables spilling onto the sidewalk. Current schedule: samba on Thursday and Sunday at 8pm, Choro on Tuesday and Wednesday at 8:30pm and Bossa Nova on Monday at 9pm.
reviewed
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Mas Será O Benedito
This beautifully restored space (occupying a 19th-century mansion) opened in 2009 and immediately attracted a following. There’s a restaurant on the ground floor, two pool tables on the 2nd floor and a concert space with live samba on the 3rd floor, where bands play nightly.
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Estudantina Musical
This old dance hall packs large, older crowds on the weekend, there to enjoy the excellent samba bands. Occasional big-name artists perform here (like Maria Bethânia in 2010). The open-air veranda provides a nice spot to cool off if you’ve danced yourself into a sweat.
reviewed
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Ballet Folklórico Nacional Jacchigua
This folkloric ballet is as touristy as it is spectacular. It is presented daily at the Teatro Demetrio Agilera at the Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana, and is quite a show. Contact any travel agency or upper-end hotel for tickets, or buy them at the door or online.
reviewed
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Patio del Tango
On Friday nights, the city hosts the Patio del Tango on the outdoor Patio Mayor of the historic Cabildo (weather permitting), kicking off with two-hour tango lessons. Times vary, so it’s best to stop by the Casa Cabildo Tourist Information Office.
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Mariuzinn
Mariuzinn has been around for ages (more than 30 years) and still brings in the dance-loving crowds. DJs on its two floors spin a wide mix – hip-hop, drum ’n’ bass, funk, pop-rock and straight-up techno. Look for flyers around town to save R$10 on admission.
reviewed
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Teatro Astral
From highly produced tango productions such as Diego Romay's Tanguera to over-the-top musicals, Teatro Astral is a great place for non-Spanish speakers to catch a show that's high on spectacle and low on language. They also present children's shows.
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Café Teatro Caretas
A bohemian, all-ages cultural center, presenting live music, theater, chess lessons and art exhibitions. There is something happening most nights and the cover is minimal. Drinks and snacks are served and late-night burger stands wait outside.
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Bar da Ladeira
Just around the corner from the Arcos da Lapa, this early 1900s house throws down a fair bit of live samba. The large space has a small dance floor, a pool table, and plenty of little nooks and crannies. The samba bands get going around 10pm.
reviewed
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Teatro Nelson Rodrigues
Inside the wildly modernist 1970s-era Caixa Cultural complex, you’ll find one of Brazil’s best stages for dance and theater. Also on-site are several art galleries, a lunchtime bistro, gardens and a koi pond.
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Teatro Do Centro Cultural Banco Do Brasil
In addition to its exhibitions, this large cultural center in downtown Rio has two stages and a cinema. Film, dance and musical events are often coordinated with current exhibits.
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El Patio del Tango
Now the tango’s major stage in Medellín, this steak restaurant is decorated like a typical Buenos Aires tango dive. There are often shows on Friday and Saturday nights.
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Beco do Rato
One of Lapa’s classic samba spots, this small outdoor bar has excellent live groups playing to a laid-back crowd. Friday nights are particularly recommended.
reviewed
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La Mesa
This is where the locals go when they want to salsa, and boy, can they salsa. It’s fun to watch as much as dance. The tiny sign out front is easy to miss.
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African Bar
Across from the state tourist office, this longtime club often stages samba groups on Saturday nights. Check the posters by the door for upcoming events.
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Bar Catarina Mina
Up a quaint, staired street, the tables from Bar Catarina Mina spill outside - a good place to drink beer and possibly start dancing on the steps.
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Teatro Metropolitano
Inaugurated in 1987, Medellín’s largest and most modern theater hosts concerts, opera and ballet and is home to Medellín’s Philharmonic Orchestra.
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Taconeando
One of the smaller and more reasonably priced upscale shows. There’s tango dancing after the professionals are done. Shows Thursday to Sunday only
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