I was invited to a Forró concert (pronounced Fo-ho). Aviões de Forró and Asa de Águia played at an outdoor venue in a huge lot with a gigantic stage here in Belém—the same large open-air space that held the insane fans of Iron Maiden a couple months ago! Forró is a type of dance that's similar to Bachata, it’s just a little faster, and people here go crazy for it!!
Thankfully, and miraculously, it didn’t rain. The place was packed and everyone was dancing. Family and friends at home, if you need a visual, think Los Tigres del Norte or Banda el Recodo playing at the Fair Grounds on Dieciseis de Septiembre. It was an insane crowd that really knew how to have a good time!!
The chanting definitely contributed to my decision to root for the better soccer team. Sorry Remistas--Paysandu it is!
They distributed t-shirts to wear the night of the concert, so all you could see was a sea of neon yellow the moment you entered the venue. Many girls had theirs modified, and I don’t mean cut up with frillies on the side like one might see on a college sorority girl at the homecoming game. Oh, no…some girls had them altered professionally—zippers, pockets, puffy sleeves, even bra pads added to make chic halters! I was definitely impressed.
There were vendors selling beer, Ice (a Smirnoff Ice type), and actual ice for the buckets of booze that were sold. I just don’t know how the men and woman held out the entire night with the heavy, cold buckets of bevs on their heads.
They were truly the rock stars of the night. Well, them and the man selling Churros of course!
I was referred to as being "Americana do Paraguai" because they didn't think an American could get down with some Forró. Brazilians refer to anything inauthentic as being from Paraguay like knock-off designer bags or pirated videos. Haha!! I had such a good time, and I can’t wait to do it again. Ivete Sangalo, the Carnaval muse from Salvador, is coming in August, and we’ve already made plans to go!
The dancing had already started when we arrived around 11pm, and it didn’t end until almost 5 in the morning! Girls were kicking off their shoes, but I refused. This was the result….
Totally worth it!
Muito obrigada Telma por me convidar J
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