Today is Labor Day in Brazil. While many people have been able to negotiate a day off tomorrow – or skip work altogether – and afford an extended holiday trip, many others have participated in Labor Day events that range from shows to union rallies.

Staying in town doesn't need to be boring in Rio de Janeiro, where there's always a host of entertainment options available for all budgets. Tonight, Ballet Nacional de España, the famous flamenco dance company, performs at Rio's beautiful Theatro Municipal. Also tonight, a free beach show in Copacabana celebrates the memory of Cazuza, a Brazilian music great and Rio native who died of AIDS in 1990 and would have turned 50 next Sunday.

If you read Portuguese or get by well because you’re fluent in Spanish, check out one of my favorite online resources for what’s going on in Rio: Veja Brasil – Rio de Janeiro, the online version of the weekly local guide by Veja magazine.

Photo of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado courtesy of Ascom/Riotur