Go. Here. Tonight.
I know it sucks for all those outside of the NYC area who can’t physically make it to the only event that matters tonight, but I just had to blog about this today because there might be a chance you could go. In which case, let nothing stop you.
The good folks at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) present Red Hot + Rio 2: The Next Generation of Samba Soul, an all-star concert event (we’re talking Bebel Gilberto, CéU, and José González here, among others) in recognition of World AIDS Day (which was actually December 1). Part of the proceeds will go to non-prof BrazilFoundation’s AIDS-related projects. The latter invests in sustainable and humanitarian causes throughout Brazil, while the Red Hot org, to date, has raised over 7 million dollars towards AIDS awareness/relief around the world. So there. You can party and change the world. Can you imagine a better way to spend your Friday night?
BAM will present two performances of Red Hot + Rio 2 at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House (30 Lafayette Avenue) on December 4 & 5 at 8pm–so tonight is actually your last chance to go (as I will). Tickets, priced at $25, 45, and 65, can still be purchased by calling BAM Ticket Services at 718.636.4100 or online at BAM.org.
A bit about each of my fave artists:
CéU - The first international artist to be featured in Starbucks’ Hear Music CD series, CéU reached #1 on Billboard’s World Music chart with her self-titled CD. The São Paolo-based singer blends samba, folk, and soul music and scored a Latin Grammy nomination in 2006 for Best New Artist.
Bebel Gilberto (pictured above)- Born into Brazilian musical royalty, Gilberto is the daughter of singer Miucha Gilberto and renowned musician João Gilberto. Her soulful, restrained blend of Brazilian and international music has earned her multiple Grammy noms. Bebel (I think I may name my daughter that, btw) released her third solo album, Momento in ‘07.
José González - Born in Sweden of Argentinean parents, González makes music that is a combination of softness and passion, a folk style grounded in his early classical guitar training and darkened by his later forays into Sweden’s hard core metal scene. His second CD In Our Nature was released in 2007 as well.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
Ay ay ay Angie. This is the second time you told us about something that was only happening in NY. Shouldn’t you have just gone to the show and wrote an article review instead? Please, we want to hear about things that everyone can experience. Otherwise, great blog.
December 7th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
I hear ya. This was an exceptional exception, though, since a review after the concert would have defeated the purpose of drawing a crowd out there. AIDS is a cause close to my heart and so I try to support it in any which way I can. Thanks for the feedback, and I hope you will come back and visit
Best, AR
December 8th, 2008 at 12:35 am
I always try to make it to any of Bebel’s performances and am glad to see she has the opportunity to give her followers the gift of her music while at the same time help join in our efforts to advance such a noble cause.