Created as a hub of resistance and experimentation, the Circo was the birthplace of modern Brazilian rock and remains, to this day, one of the most democratic and vibrant spaces in Rio de Janeiro.
From Arpoador to Lapa The story of the Circus begins in the summer of 1982, in a nomadic way. Its first structure — a 500 m² tent — was set up on the sands of Arpoador, in Ipanema. The site, a traditional meeting point for surfers and young people, was the perfect setting for the birth of a project that combined music, circus, and theater. However, after only three months, the tent was removed due to pressure from local authorities.
Image description: The image is a black-and-white photograph of a festive procession. In the foreground, three people are dancing and holding banners. The person on the left is dressed in a clown costume, holding a banner reading "AS DRUBAL TROUXE O TROMBONE". In the center, a woman wears a short dress and sunglasses, dancing next to another person dressed in a clown costume. On the right, more people take part in the procession, some holding banners with heart and star patterns. In the background, other party participants are present, some dressed in colorful outfits.In October 1982, the "spaceship" landed for good in Lapa, at the foot of the Arcos da Lapa (the Carioca Aqueduct). Back then, Lapa was not the tourist hub we know today; it was a run-down area neglected by the government. Circo Voador was the great catalyst for the neighborhood's revitalization, transforming a vacant lot next to an 18th-century monument into the epicenter of Rio's nightlife.
It was under the Circus tent that bands like Barão Vermelho, Paralamas do Sucesso, Legião Urbana, and Blitz took their first steps toward reaching a wider audience. But the importance of the venue was not limited to rock: the Circus hosted everything from Bezerra da Silva's samba parties to carnival bloc rehearsals and circus arts workshops for children from the region.
The institution faced its greatest challenge in 1996, when it was closed by an arbitrary act of the mayor's office at the time, remaining sealed off for eight years. The "victory of the venue" took place in 2004, when the Circus was returned to its creators and to the public after intense mobilization by the artistic community. Today, the modern structure retains the original tent shape, ensuring the unique acoustics and the closeness between artist and audience that are the venue's hallmarks.
Useful Information
Address: Rua dos Arcos, s/nº – Lapa, Rio de Janeiro – RJ (Located next to the Arcos da Lapa and near the Cinelândia Metro Station).
Official Website: circovoador.com.br
Opening Hours: Box Office: Open on show days, usually 2 hours before the gates open. Shows and Events: Generally on Fridays and Saturdays (evening), and some Sundays. Check the website's schedule for specific times.
Access Conditions: Admission: Paid (prices vary depending on the show). Solidarity Ticket: The Circo is famous for offering a discount (half-price ticket) to those who donate 1kg of non-perishable food at the entrance.
Accessibility: The venue is flat and offers full accessibility for wheelchair users in the floor areas and adapted restrooms.
Social Activities: During the day and on weekdays, the Circus hosts the "Creche Circo" and artistic workshops, often with free or subsidized access for the local community.
