One could think it is a scene out of a small town on the countryside. But it happens in…read moreLaranjeiras, one of Rio's nice residential neighborhoods. Every weekend a dedicated group of locals gather around to make music at a sweet square bandstand. They bring in professional equipment and every Saturday, from 6 to 11 pm, put excited locals and gringos to dance around and sing along. Samba, obviously -- Rio's favorite soundtrack. The happy music on the square has families blending in with a young and relaxed crowd, lively chatting with their beer cans in hand. A few restaurants around the square sell food and draft beer, so you can grab a bite after the music, too. Every time I visited São Salvador's traditional Saturday afternoons I felt warmly welcomed. It sums up some of the carioca's friendliness and it is a great place to mingle and make friends. Friday nights and Sunday mornings also offer a good amount of music and fun. You can't really go wrong here.