with over 50 attractions around the city of rio de janeiro, this event prioritizes both concert and popular brazilian music, making room for interpreters, soloists and composers, and encouraging the formation of new audiences and the spreading musical knowledge.

heitor villa-lobos was born on march 5th, declared the national day of classical music (dia nacional da música clássica) in his honor, as he is considered one of the most important 'modernist' musicians in brazil.

heitor villa-lobos was composer credited with developing a music style particularly 'brazilian' - in fact, his work included and combined elements from brazilian regional cultures, folk songs, and indigenous rhythms - on this day, a variety of special events and concerts are held across rio de janeiro, in particular in venues such as the teatro municipal in the center of town, and the cidade das artes, a famous venue for  small festivals in barra da tijuca.