The penultimate weekend of attractions on the coast of Paraná began with packed shows and thousands of vacationers following the country music duos João Bosco & Vinícius, in Matinhos, and Maria Cecília & Rodolfo, in Pontal do Paraná, on Friday, the 3rd. On Saturday, the 4th, it was the turn of the duo Maria Cecília & Rodolfo to entertain the audience in Matinhos and, in Pontal do Paraná, the show was by Santiago, the duo with Guilherme – who was unable to attend due to surgery.
As part of the Verão Maior Paraná events, the shows closed the nights of the fifth consecutive weekend of free concerts. An initiative of the State Government, in partnership with Renault do Brasil and the city governments of both municipalities — which provide support for public safety and traffic flow — the shows feature big names in national music. All the acts start at 20 p.m.
JOAO BOSCO AND VINÍCIUS
Playing in Matinhos for the first time, João Bosco & Vinícius entertained a crowd of fans who sang along to the hits from their nearly 30-year career. “We were already missing coming back to this region. We have been following the schedule of our friends who have also performed on this stage, such as Fernando and Sorocaba and César Menotti and Fabiano,” said João Bosco.
“I commend the Government for this beautiful, impeccable structure. Starting the year like this, with renewed energy, everyone ready to party. That was the purpose of this night,” added Vinícius.
A resident of Matinhos for a month, Tatiane, 29, has already seen Eduardo Costa and Leonardo's shows on the sands of Caiobá, and was looking forward to this Friday's show. "The structure is very good. The space here is wide, it's not cramped, the people on the beach are very comfortable, it's much better", she said.
MARIA CECILIA AND RODOLFO
Playing on the stage set up on the sand strip expanded after the Matinhos Waterfront Revitalization project, the country music couple Maria Cecília & Rodolfo moved the audience with hits from their 15-year career.
“Paraná was the first state to receive our music. The public is in a great mood, on vacation,” said Maria Cecília. “It’s great that the government of Paraná is offering this to the population, after a pandemic, when we were kept apart. Now, being able to get together, be with the public again, is great,” said Maria Cecília.
Juceni Regina, a 58-year-old state school teacher, recalls the importance of bringing cultural and sports attractions to the coast. “It is essential for the economy, tourism, to bring people from other cities to Matinhos, to boost commerce, and to bring attractions at night. This holiday season, which is almost over, with these shows, is being wonderful,” she said.
According to musician Airton Antônio Junior, 71, one of the highlights of the program is that it was designed to appeal to all audiences. “These are attractions that appeal to all ages. I discovered the duo Maria Cecília and Rodolfo through my daughter and I became a fan,” he said.
Luiz Carlos Silveira, 55, is self-employed and has lived in Pontal do Paraná for 22 years. He was one of the first to arrive and secured a spot at the event. “I’ve been coming since the first show. I came, I liked it, the facilities are very good, there’s security, police, a medical center, I didn’t see any problems,” he said. “I don’t remember seeing shows like this here in the city. It boosts business and brings tourists here. I’ve met several acquaintances from distant cities who were here because of the show.”
WILLIAM AND SANTIAGO
Singer Santiago, who was moved during the performance, can count on the audience to be his second voice this Saturday night in songs such as “Mentira de Amor”, “Azul” and “Chovendo Estrelas”.
“Our first time here in Pontal do Paraná is a great pleasure. I, Santiago, am carrying the name of our duo, my brother underwent surgery. He is fine, already recovering, and we are here to bring the best of our music in this wonderful summer. We are very happy to have been invited”, highlighted the singer, who is the second voice in the duo.
“People work so hard all year round and need entertainment, fun, and families from Paraná and the entire region really like this,” he added.
Thaís Gabriele Cavassim, from Itaperuçu, in the Metropolitan Region of Curitiba, is spending the weekend in Pontal and one of her goals was to watch the show. “I already knew there would be a show. I thought the structure was excellent, well organized, these events that are happening on the coast are really good, and the most important thing is that they are free,” she said.
Nelson Zagulski, from Curitiba, came to the coast for work with his family and is enjoying the attractions of Verão Maior Paraná. “The owner of the house where I’m working told me that there would be a show, and since I like country music, I came and really enjoyed it. It’s very well done, everything is perfect,” he said.
UPCOMING ATTRACTIONS
Another weekend of performances is scheduled to take place in Matinhos and Pontal do Paraná, with the band Ara Ketu and the group Sempre Tem taking turns between the cities. Previously performed on the Verão Maior Paraná stages were César Menotti & Fabiano, Jeann & Julio, Edson & Hudson, Eduardo Costa, Antony & Gabriel, Alemão do Forró, Leonardo, Bruno & Barretto, Fernando & Sorocaba, Dell Cavalini, Quinteto SA, Pedro Paulo & Alex and Sambô.
With information from AEN
