Villa Olivia: Brand New Cultural Venue in Downtown Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Next Saturday, August 10th, another venue dedicated to local culture will be inaugurated in the charming Morro da Conceição, located near Praça Mauá, in downtown Rio. The “Casa de Cultura Villa Olivia” will occupy a centennial manor house on Ladeira João Homem, a bucolic spot filled with studios and home to famous bars such as Geraldinho and Imaculada.

The completely renovated venue will host a diverse agenda, with exhibitions, concerts, theater plays, samba, choro, and jazz, workshops, cultural production presentations, and much more.

The site will also house an antique store, selling vinyl records and rare books, collections, and antiques such as lamps and watches. Accessories by the A Berenice label, by architect Carol Moupa, and ‘Ori Fine Art’ works by artist Laerte Heredia, will be available for sale at Villa Olivia. The property may also be booked for events and celebrations.

The venture is a partnership between engineer and collector Peri de Azevedo, historian Chris Mendonça and businessman Severo Ramos, and arose from conversations between the three on how to contribute to further enhance the Rio Harbor area, named “Pequena África” (Little Africa) by renowned painter, songwriter and singer Heitor do Prazeres.

The opening ceremony of Villa Olivia will feature a show by singer and composer Naldo Meneses and a dance floor led by DJ Cris Pantoja, known as “o artista dos vinis” (the vinyl artist), from an indigenous family and steeped in Brazilian regional music references. The house bar will serve drinks and snacks.

EVENT:
Casa de Cultura Villa Olivia
Grand Opening: Saturday, August 10th, at 3 PM
Address: Ladeira João Homem, 13 – Morro da Conceição – Praça Mauá – Centro – Rio de Janeiro City
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, from 1 PM to 8 PM, and until 9.30 PM on event days.