A Night in Rio...at The Newark Museum

A Night in Rio….or was I in Newark? It was hard to tell once you entered the Newark Museum on Washington Street. For a very affordable $10 entrance fee (free for museum members), the event captured all aspects of the Brazilian culture. Traditional and reasonably priced food was served from 5:00 PM accompanied by a cash bar which in addition to the usual drinks also served a Brazilian cocktail. At 7:30 PM a dynamic dancing duo graced the floor with colorful costume and fantastic steps that matched the pulsing beat of the music. They spent an hour instructing a full room on the intricate and fast-moving dance steps of the Samba and Bossa Nova. Dance lessons were followed by the live music of Samba Novo Band where we all had an opportunity to practice our new steps.

The museum also had Constructive Spirit: Abstract Art in South and North America, 1920s-50s on exhibition as well as the Ballantine House open for viewing. The attended on-site parking made it an easy and safe place to visit. Their extensive list of future events can be found on their website www.newarkmuseum.org.