Brothers Rogério Flausino and Wilson Sideral pay tribute to Cazuza in an emotional headline show at FestNatal Araxá.
Cazuza tribute lights up FestNatal – Araxá 160 years
The FestNatal – Araxá 160 years program reserves a special highlight for this Thursday, 18 December. At 10:30 p.m., audiences will watch “Flausino e Sideral cantam Cazuza”, a tribute that reunites brothers Rogério Flausino and Wilson Sideral around the work of the Brazilian rock poet.
Born in Alfenas, in southern Minas Gerais, the two celebrate 35 years of devotion to music. To do so, they revisit the poetry, irreverence and artistic strength of Cazuza, a singer and songwriter who marked generations.
Their musical journey began in 1985 with the band Contacto Imediato, the same year as the first Rock in Rio. Later, each followed a different but successful path: Flausino as frontman of Jota Quest and Sideral as a solo singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer.
Reunion with purpose and faithful arrangements
For Rogério Flausino, reuniting around Cazuza’s repertoire has a special meaning. He emphasizes that the idea is to celebrate music that shaped an entire generation.
“This happy reunion aims to spread even further the music and poetry of Cazuza, which were fundamental for a whole generation. It is also an important opportunity to support the beautiful work carried out by Sociedade Viva Cazuza over the last 30 years in the fight against AIDS,” says Rogério Flausino.
With musical direction by Wilson Sideral, the show preserves the original arrangements of the songs. Thus, it travels through different phases of Cazuza’s career, from his time with Barão Vermelho to his solo hits.
“To be honest, we did not want to reinvent anything, we are just reliving these classic recordings. It is a fan thing, a brother thing, pure love. Our destinies were drawn in the maternity ward,” says Sideral.
Rock, MPB, blues and pop on stage
The setlist offers a broad panorama of Cazuza’s work. The rock side appears in songs such as “Beth Balanço”, “Ideologia”, “O Tempo Não Para” and “Pro Dia Nascer Feliz”.
Brazilian popular music and bossa nova emerge in “Faz Parte do Meu Show”, “Todo Amor Que Houver Nesta Vida”, “Eu Preciso Dizer Que Te Amo” and “Codinome Beija-Flor”. Meanwhile, the blues surfaces in “Solidão, Que Nada” and “O Blues da Piedade”.
Pop hits complete the tribute with “Exagerado”, “O Nosso Amor a Gente Inventa” and “Brasil”. The show also includes new versions of songs made famous by Cazuza, such as “Vida Louca Vida”, “Quase Um Segundo” and “O Mundo é um Moinho”.
The concert brings one previously unreleased track, “Não Reclamo (Essas Canções de Amor)”, based on a Cazuza poem set to music by Wilson Sideral. In this way, the project reinforces how current and alive his work remains.
Full Thursday schedule for all ages
Beyond the main show, FestNatal – Araxá 160 years offers a varied Thursday program. Throughout the evening, audiences enjoy cultural activities, children’s attractions, live music and instrumental performances.
From 7 p.m., the Vila do Noel opens, concentrating Christmas and cultural activities supported by the Culture Incentive Law. At the same time, the band Tia Zicca takes the stage with lively versions of 1980s and 1990s hits.
At 7:30 p.m., the schedule continues with Diego Leonardo’s Cultural Workshop. Then, at 8 p.m., families and children can enjoy Storytelling – Tecendo Histórias, focused on oral literature and imagination.
Closing the warm-up before the Cazuza tribute, Carlos Bala Quarteto performs at 9 p.m. Regarded as one of Brazil’s greatest drummers, Carlos Bala presents an instrumental show marked by sophistication and decades of experience in MPB and jazz.
FestNatal – Araxá 160 years schedule
18 December – THURSDAY
7 p.m. – Opening of Vila do Noel (Culture Incentive Law)
7 p.m. – Tia Zicca (Extra Program)
7:30 p.m. – Diego Leonardo Cultural Workshop (Culture Incentive Law)
8 p.m. – Storytelling “Tecendo Histórias” (Culture Incentive Law)
9 p.m. – Carlos Bala Quarteto (Culture Incentive Law)
10:30 p.m. – Flausino e Sideral cantam Cazuza (Extra Program)
19 December – FRIDAY
7 p.m. – Opening of Vila do Noel (Culture Incentive Law)
7:30 p.m. – João Lima Violeiro (Culture Incentive Law)
8:30 p.m. – Luiz Neto e Gustavo (Extra Program)
10:30 p.m. – Zé Henrique e Gabriel (Extra Program)
20 December – SATURDAY
7 p.m. – Opening of Vila do Noel (Culture Incentive Law)
7:30 p.m. – Storytelling with Diego Leonardo (Culture Incentive Law)
7 p.m. – Bêjazz (Culture Incentive Law)
7:45 p.m. – Latitude 19 (Extra Program)
9:30 p.m. – Banda Ben (Extra Program)
10:30 p.m. – Diego Figueiredo invites Baby do Brasil (Culture Incentive Law)
21 December – SUNDAY
3 p.m. – Coral Salê (Culture Incentive Law)
4:20 p.m. – Circo dos Irmãos Gambiarra (Coletivo Payaso sem teto) (Culture Incentive Law)
5:25 p.m. – Lira Musical Nossa Senhora Desterro (Culture Incentive Law)
6 p.m. – 40 A magia do Natal (Culture Incentive Law)
7:30 p.m. – Puppet Workshop
7:45 p.m. – Big Band (Culture Incentive Law)
9 p.m. – “Um Auto de Luz: o nascimento de Jesus” (Cia Deu Na Telha) (Culture Incentive Law)
Jazz night brings Nosso Trio and Stanley Jordan
On Wednesday, 17 December, FestNatal devoted the night to instrumental music and high-level jazz. The program gathered renowned artists from Brazil and abroad and attracted a large audience.
The evening opened at 8:15 p.m. with Nosso Trio, featuring Nelson Faria (guitar), Ney Conceição (bass) and Kiko Freitas (drums). Internationally acclaimed, the group presented a sophisticated repertoire with strong improvisation and interaction.
The classic trio format of guitar, bass and drums gained fresh contours on the FestNatal stage. As a result, the show surprised the audience with dynamic exchanges and rich musical dialogues.
At 9:30 p.m., one of the most anticipated encounters of the festival took place: Diego Figueiredo invites Stanley Jordan. Grammy-nominated and established in the global jazz scene, Diego welcomed one of the genre’s most innovative guitarists.
American guitarist Stanley Jordan, born in 1959, impressed with his two-hand tapping technique, playing harmonies and melodies simultaneously. Since the release of “Magic Touch” (1985) on Blue Note, he has been a benchmark in contemporary jazz and confirmed that status in Araxá.
“When I received this invitation, I felt very happy. This is my last show of 2025 and a way to celebrate an excellent year with people’s joy. I am very pleased to return to Araxá,” he said.
FestNatal Araxá celebrates 16 years
FestNatal Araxá is regarded as the largest Christmas festival in Minas Gerais. In 2025, the event celebrates its 16th edition and runs from 4 to 21 December at the Fausto Alvim Municipal Stadium parking lot, with free admission.
The program brings together music, theater, dance and many other cultural attractions. In addition, the festival offers full accessibility, with adapted restrooms, reserved parking, ramps, sign language interpretation, audio description and daily support from a psychologist specialized in behavioral care.
The FestNatal – Araxá 160 years edition is held under the Rouanet Law – Cultural Projects Incentive, with sponsorship from CBMM, Bem Brasil, Rio Banco, Codemge and the Government of Minas Gerais. It also has support from Algar, Zema, Araxá City Hall, Fundação Cultural Calmon Barreto, Acia and TV Integração.
The festival is organized by the Fundação Cultural Acia (Facia) and the Ministry of Culture, Government of Brazil, alongside the Brazilian people. In this way, FestNatal reinforces public cultural policy and access to the arts.
Service – FestNatal Araxá
Event: FestNatal Araxá – Araxá 160 years
Dates: 4 to 21 December
Venue: Parking lot of Fausto Alvim Municipal Stadium, Araxá (MG)
Admission: Free
