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Nightlife & the Arts in Rio de Janeiro

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Rio de Janeiro Nightlife

Rio's nightlife is as hard to resist as its beaches. Options range from samba shows shamelessly aimed at visitors to sultry dance halls that play forró, a music style that originated in Brazil's northeast during World War II. (American GIs stationed at refueling stops opened up their clubs "for all," which, when pronounced with a Brazilian accent, became "forró.") Seek out the sounds of big band, rock, and everything in between. One of the happiest mediums is música popular brasileira (MPB), the generic term for popular Brazilian music, which ranges from pop to jazz. Note that establishments in this carefree city often have carefree hours; call ahead to confirm opening times. More »