Find restaurants and other venues featuring Portuguese fado music events, fado night (noite de fado) or fado concerts in the US  and Canada. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, California, Kansas .... Toronto, Ontario, Mississauga and more.

Fado, an old form of urban folk music in Portugal, was born in the streets and back alleys of Lisbon in the early 1800's.

Today, thanks in part to very skilled fado singers and musicians, fado is very much alive and kicking not only in Lisbon, but also in the US and Canada where many fado events are taking place.

Fado music and lyrics can convey feelings of joy, sadness, pain and loss (considered by some as equivalent to the American blues).

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, can be traced to the early 1800's in Portugal.

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)