FadoNight serves to identify, promote and assist fado performers (singers & musicians) as well as restaurants and other venues featuring live fado music events in the US.
Portuguese Fado, an old form of urban folk music in Portugal, was born in the streets and back alleys of Lisbon, Portugal in the early 1800’s. Today, fado has gained its position in the World Music circuit. Fado is very much alive not only in Lisbon, Portugal but also in the US and Canada where many fado performances and fado night events take place.
Fado music and lyrics can convey feelings of love, joy, sadness, pain passion and loss. This traditional Portuguese music is enjoying a major resurgence, spurred on by UNESCO’s designation of fado as “World Immaterial and Cultural Patrimony”
The word fado comes from Latin “fatum” meaning “fate” or “destiny”. A common theme in fado songs is “saudade”. The word “saudade” is difficult to translate in any language. It refers to a longing for a happier moment in a person’s life and a yearning and hopefulness towards re-living that moment.
Fado is usually associated with the cities of Lisboa and Coimbra in Portugal where it flourished. Fado music is the national song of Portugal. It is very intertwined with Portuguese culture. To truly understand Portuguese culture one needs to experience a Noite de Fados (Fado Night).
Lisbon bairros (districts) where fado music flourished include: Mouraria, Alfama, Bairro Alto, Madragoa and Alcantara.
Fado singers (male or female) are usually accompanied by a portuguese guitar (12 string guitar) and a viola (6 string acoustic guitar)