RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (BDCi) — The much anticipated wait is almost over for music lovers excited to attend Rio de Janeiro’s Rock in Rio festival, starting September 23rd – October 2.
The event is being held in “The City of Rock” in Olympic Park, Bara da Tijuca/ Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is expected that at least 600,000 spectators including Cariocas, Brazilians and foreigners from all over the world will be there.
Among many of the famous acts scheduled to perform at this year’s festival are: Elton John, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, Stevie Wonder, Shakira, Coldplay and Guns N’ Roses.
Fifteen roadways will be shut down to prevent traffic and a special bus system will help transport people to and from Rock in Rio. There will be no onsite parking as it is advised not to go by car, said the president of Riotur, Antonio Pedro Figueira de Mello. Provisions have been made to reroute over nine hundred bus lines to make sure concert goers can get from point A to point B.
However, the Rock in Rio bus system has some of the locals in an uproar. “ Many good things have been said about the transportation for the festival, but people are forgetting that the people who live around the area depend on public transportation to go to work during the days of the event,” said one local resident.
That’s not stopping the thousands of people who can’t wait for the festivities to begin. “Ever since I came here in February, Rock in Rio has been “the” topic of conversation. Now that it’s near, I can’t wait to see what Rio has put together! I’m really looking forward to it,” said a New York native.
For more information please visit the Rock in Rio YouTube channel as it will webcast the event for those unable to attend. http://www.youtube.com/rockinrioeuvou
The official Rock in Rio website is: http://www.rockinrio.com.br/
By: Kristyn Fryrear Edited by Natania Levine Source: The Rio Times Photo: billboard.bz September 19, 2011
8:28 am PDT