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 Nestling on a side street just yards from Ipanema Beach, Dama de Ferro is a small but perfectly formed nightspot that’s home to Rio’s equally intimate though thriving electro-disco scene (as well as a whole host of similarly alternative/ artistic club nights, throughout the month).
Named after the intricately melded cast iron sculptures that permeate the split level space, the club’s most unusual design feature is its unisex alfresco style toilet cubicles placed directly alongside the dance floor, complete with low cut doors providing voyeurs and exhibitionists ample scope alike. Rumour has it that one London electro queen had toilet sex with her local lover in full (approving) view of the dance floor earlier this year, though tonight, usage appears limited to regular bodily functions.
Instead, a packed crowd of flamboyantly dressed gays and strikingly beautiful girls from Ipanema are gathered together for the second event of Fashion Nugget, a new party presented by Rio scenesters Madame Nini and Lady Ray. Despite their drag queen names, both are 22 year old shes as opposed to she-males and both are clearly adept at bringing a lively and highly colourful crowd out tonight. Which is no mean achievement, given Rio’s reputation as a place where everything happens on the beach.
 Speak to a Sao Paulo person and they’ll tell you Rio dwellers spend all day there doing not much else, a point Rio people will gladly accept. Any why not, given that spots like Ipanema, in the heart of downtown Rio, is a fantastically wide, gloriously chilled out, white sandy beach, populated by body perfect locals and less well constructed tourists. Rio’s most famous beach, Copacabana, however, is less recommended, its fading glory marred by street prostitution (as soon as dusk kicks in) and a distinct edge of serious poverty. Homeless people sleep on many of the city’s downtown streets, one step down from the millions who occupy the equally harsh environments of Rio’s favellas, which tower over the centre, in break-taking proximity. Made famous by the gangster film City of God, the favellas dominate the entire skyline, but downtown’s vibe appears centred on fun rather than friction, with Rio justifiably standing out as the spiritual capital of one of the world’s most hedonistic nations.
 How this translates inside Dama de Ferro is principally through people’s friendliness, with seemingly everyone in the club happy to chat as well as dance and throw themselves around enthusiastically. Countless snogging couples of all sexual persuasions also permeate the club, reflecting the up for it vibe that everybody exudes, though no-one hassles and all are polite; a perfect recipe for a serious night out. Musically less demanding than the extremely up to date Sao Pauleans, they clearly love their electro-disco nonetheless, with rocking, banging anthems from Soulwax, Jacques Lu Cont and Tiefschwarz going down a storm as well as quirkier smashes from the likes of Justice and In Flagranti.
Kicking off properly around 1am, the club’s winding down by six am, as many of the club’s regulars head off for after hours drinks at the transvestite bars on Copacabana. Like Ibiza at its best, Rio possesses a certain alchemy that means adventures and magic moments are waiting to be discovered, just a few steps beneath the surface, and Dama de Ferro is an excellent portal to find yourself a tangent (whatever that may be). Totally recommended!
http://www.damadeferro.com.br
http://www.fotolog.net/damadeferro
Review by: Jonty Skrufff (Skrufff.com)
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