Fingers danced across fretboards, and the “beautiful fusion of Brazilian rhythm, classical technique, and jazz improvisation” that is Rio Con Brio danced through the stained glass halls of TaborSpace this past Friday.
Rio Con Brio is comprised of our resident Saturday morning master mandolin player, Tim Connell, and Mike Burdette on the guitar. They were joined by Alexandra Coutinho, a fado singer from Portugal whose voice is described as “intensely emotional” and “hauntingly beautiful.”
The trio provided a handout for attendees that gave insight into the meanings of the songs sung in Portugese. The one that struck me the most was a song called Uma Casa Portuguesa…A Portugese Home. It said:
A Portuguese Home describes the welcoming soul of the Portuguese people by stating what is important for happiness to reign. Thus, it is not the riches that matter but the little things that surround people’s lives such as the painted Portuguese tiles, the sun, the wonderful soup caldo verde, and love. So, whoever knocks at the door may be certain to be greeted with such wealth.
That describes everything TaborSpace staff, volunteers, and community members strive to be and do for our neighborhood. “The welcoming soul” is truly alive here.
If you missed this beautiful, soulful performance don’t worry…Rio Con Brio will be back at TaborSpace this Sunday (6/17) with guests The Brazilionaires and Brazilian mandolin player/guitarist Almir Cortes!
Show starts at 7pm, doors at 6:30pm. Admission is $15.
