Livraria de Música Toca do Vinicius
Livraria de Música Toca do Vinicius
Livraria de Música Toca do Vinicius
5
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Neighbourhood: Ipanema
Ipanema is considered Rio's crown jewel. It offers the best view of the sunset from Arpoador and is inspiration for the legendary song, “The Girl from Ipanema.” Ipanema is an upscale area, home to many high-end restaurants and luxury shops, many of which can be found on the charming Garcia d'Ávila Avenue. The neighbourhood is very rich culturally, housing many art galleries that show contemporary art. There is also a great variety of nightlife in the neighbourhood, which buzzes with many options for every taste.
How to get there
- General Osório • 7 min walk
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5.0
32 reviews
Excellent
26
Very good
5
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1
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0
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travelhos
Atlanta, GA62 contributions
Dec 2014 • Solo
If you are like me, then Rio, Ipanema (or Brazil, for that matter) simply means Bossa Nova. I was familiar with the mood of the city and its monuments (like the Corcovado, the Cristo Redentor, Copacabana or even the airport, Galeao) through the lilting sounds of Bossa Nova well before I laid eyes on them in December of 2014. So imagine my disappointment when finding live Bossa Nova music turned out to be something of a challenge in this city currently preoccupied with Popular Brazilian Music (MPB). However, I am delighted to report that there is a happy ending to my story because I found Toca De Vinicius, which bills itself as a "Reference/ Resource Center" (and is also a record shop/bookstore). It is close to Ground Zero of Bossa Nova music, namely a few blocks away from the bar where that most famous of Bossa Nova tunes, 'The Girl from Ipanema" was composed.
This small facility is dedicated to Vinicius de Moraes, who was one the great Bossa Nova singer/ songwriters. Although less famous than Joao Gilberto and Antonio Carlos (Tom) Jobim, many Bossa Nova fans believe Vinicius had the most influence on the genre.
In addition to offering a huge selection of Bossa Nova CDs, songbooks, and a small museum on the second floor, Toca do Vinicius hosts live Brazilian Music of Bossa Nova and Samba musicians most Sundays on the sidewalk in front of the store.
The shows generally start at 7pm, a crowd quickly gathers, and they last about 90 minutes. Featured are local musicians, some better known than others, and include both old timers and younger players who put their own spin on the classics. And unlike in the Vinicius Piano bar (at number 39 on the same street) the shows are free.
To determine if there will be live Brazilian music played here while you are in town, visit the Toca do Vinicius website or stop by the store to check the schedule. You will be glad you did. The garrulous owner, Carlos Alberto Afonso, is enthusiastic to share his encyclopedic knowledge with visitors, even in English (not commonly spoken in Rio).
I came across the Toca in the afternoon of 31 December 2014. The owner alerted me to a live music concert on the sidewalk later that afternoon. I wasn't sure about it because everything seemed so informal, so makeshift. But I am glad that I went. There was already a biggish crowd by the time I got there-- all ages, all backgrounds, and, this being Brazil, all colors. As soon as the music started, even seated arthritic matrons were beginning to sway their hips to the music...which, by the way, was compositions of Dorival Caymmi...Most knew the music, and many knew the lyrics...After an hour or so the musicians made their farewell by playing The Girl from Ipanema and that's when it happened: Having heard a sweet, youthful voice, I turned around, there she was: The girl from Ipanema herself, "young, tall and lovely" as the song says, and gently singing along with her grandmother, who may have been young, tall and lovely when the song was written fifty years ago a few blocks from there. That, dear reader, was my quintessential Rio moment: A sight that taught me so much about this city, its people and the enduring hold of Bossa Nova.
I recommend that you experience it for yourself.
This small facility is dedicated to Vinicius de Moraes, who was one the great Bossa Nova singer/ songwriters. Although less famous than Joao Gilberto and Antonio Carlos (Tom) Jobim, many Bossa Nova fans believe Vinicius had the most influence on the genre.
In addition to offering a huge selection of Bossa Nova CDs, songbooks, and a small museum on the second floor, Toca do Vinicius hosts live Brazilian Music of Bossa Nova and Samba musicians most Sundays on the sidewalk in front of the store.
The shows generally start at 7pm, a crowd quickly gathers, and they last about 90 minutes. Featured are local musicians, some better known than others, and include both old timers and younger players who put their own spin on the classics. And unlike in the Vinicius Piano bar (at number 39 on the same street) the shows are free.
To determine if there will be live Brazilian music played here while you are in town, visit the Toca do Vinicius website or stop by the store to check the schedule. You will be glad you did. The garrulous owner, Carlos Alberto Afonso, is enthusiastic to share his encyclopedic knowledge with visitors, even in English (not commonly spoken in Rio).
I came across the Toca in the afternoon of 31 December 2014. The owner alerted me to a live music concert on the sidewalk later that afternoon. I wasn't sure about it because everything seemed so informal, so makeshift. But I am glad that I went. There was already a biggish crowd by the time I got there-- all ages, all backgrounds, and, this being Brazil, all colors. As soon as the music started, even seated arthritic matrons were beginning to sway their hips to the music...which, by the way, was compositions of Dorival Caymmi...Most knew the music, and many knew the lyrics...After an hour or so the musicians made their farewell by playing The Girl from Ipanema and that's when it happened: Having heard a sweet, youthful voice, I turned around, there she was: The girl from Ipanema herself, "young, tall and lovely" as the song says, and gently singing along with her grandmother, who may have been young, tall and lovely when the song was written fifty years ago a few blocks from there. That, dear reader, was my quintessential Rio moment: A sight that taught me so much about this city, its people and the enduring hold of Bossa Nova.
I recommend that you experience it for yourself.
Written 4 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roberts69
Northampton, UK18,962 contributions
May 2017 • Solo
As a lover of Jazz and Bossa Nova I simply had to pay "Toca do Vinicuis" a visit whilst staying in Ipanema. Packed with both CD's and Vinyl this shop is just fabulous and it's owner of nearly 25 years is an ardent lover of music and I doubt there isn't much that the friendly and helpful Carlos Alberto Afonso doesn't know about Bossa Nova. I spoke to Carlos for some while and giving me his time and letting me listen to a selection of music I was interested in was no bother for him at all, in fact it was obviously his pleasure. I bought 4 CD's (each BR$39 each) including the Tom Jobim album that has the wonderful 'Girl from Ipanema' track on it... A great souvenir of a trip to Rio and a stay in Ipanema. As well as the CD's and Vinyl this treasure of a shop is full of Bossa Nova memorabilia and lots of cement hand casts of famous artists of this genre. Do visit Toca do Vinicius and support Carlos in his passion for keeping this fabulous music style alive and kicking.
Written 12 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rodney C
Hobart, Australia428 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
Looked for Bossa nova in Ipanema on Internet and visited this store. What a delightful store owner who explained his passion with the music in English. Listened to sample albums and bought three. Around R$30 per cd and too credit card. Really interesting place to visit. Little store and a big experience. Highly recommended.
Written 13 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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