By Sean Chaffin, Editor/Senior Writer

Last Updated: February 12, 2010; 12:42 pm CT

 

No doubt Maris Gras will extra special this year because of the Saints Super Bowl win last week, but it still can’t compare to Brazil’s carnaval cekebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Salvador, Bahia.  In fact, time can come to a complete stop when Carnaval gears up for another edition of “the world’s biggest party”.  Literally.

 

A few years ago, Brazil’s President Lula decreed by law that Daylight Savings Time will end on the third Sunday in February – unless its a Carnaval weekend. Then, its the following Sunday.

 

That’s Brazil for you…

 

The colors, the music, the dancing, the pageantry … Carnival is here  and here’s what to expect from 2010’s festivities. The annual four-day celebration begins 40 days before Easter each year, this year scheduled to kick off Saturday, Feb. 13, and ends on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 16. To much of the world, Carnival symbolizes Brazil. Samba schools practice for months to compete in the annual event. Brazilians, along with tourists, overflow the streets of Rio de Janeiro and other cities to take in the scene, sights, and sounds of this traditional Brazilian party.

 

A Brief History

In strict religious terms, Carnival marks the last days before the Catholic Lent season. The annual celebration is believed to have been brought to the country by the Portuguese in 1850, with Cariocas taking to the streets – both upper and lower classes. It was a celebration that seemed to be uncontrollable and at the same time uniting for a country bursting with different incomes, classes, and races.

Former slaves brought their own dance traditions to Carnival in the 1890s, marching and dancing through the city streets. There were five samba organizations throughout Rio in 1930, but by 1935, the samba competitions had become one of the most popular Carnival events with 25 schools competing.

 

The annual event just kept growing, and these marches led to one of the event’s most popular aspects. Now considered one of the most festive and colorful events, the Samba School competitions bring together schools from across Rio and Brazil in a competition of dance, music, and showmanship. Schools practice for months leading up to the annual competition – each out to be crowned that year’s champion.

 

The samba competitions took on an even more important aspect of the annual Carnival in 1983, when architect Oscar Niemeyer, the designer of the city of Brasilia, unveiled his design for Rio’s new Sambadrome. The facility is made up of a wide cement performance center with bleacher and box seating on either side. Spectators soak up the sights and sounds of samba as marchers and revelers parade through the Sambadrome. Many Brazilians spends thousands of dollars each year to secure boxes for their friends and families, and the Sambadrome festivities are broadcast nationally on Brazilian television.

 

Rio de Janeiro events

Rio de Janeiro is the center of the Carnival world and the event officially kicks off on Feb. 14, but events are also scheduled for Feb. 12-13. It is estimated 500,000 tourists attend Carnival events annually, and this year’s Sambadrome tickets start at $160 and run into the thousands of dollars.

 

The city will officially name the Carnival King (Momo) on Feb. 12 as he is crowned by the city’s mayor and receive the keys to the city.
At 7 p.m. the same day, the children’s samba schools will parade through the city streets.

 

During Carnival, there are almost too many events to keep up with. The street band competitions crank up on Saturday with performances in Rio Branco downtown and at Ipanema. The official costume party is also scheduled for Saturday night at the Hotel Gloria.

 

One of Rio’s major annual attractions, the Magic Ball, takes place at the Copacabana Palace Hotel. The ball is considered one of the most glamorous events in Rio and attended by Rio’s high society. This year, the hotel’s marvelous salons are decorated in a special theme by artist Zeka Marquez. The ball features a spectacular buffet and live bands until the early morning hours. Those attending are expected to be in formal dress, or in a luxury Carnival costume. There are also several other balls throughout the city – offering something for every Carnival attendee.

Samba school competitions commence on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, and then the last marches through Ipanema also on Tuesday, followed by the Gay Costume Ball in Rio Scala to close out the year’s events.

 

While the sight of Rio’s Carnival events is a wonder all its own, many revelers say the best way to truly experience Carnival is to get in on the action. During street band performances, tourists are often welcome to join in on the action – drinking and dancing through the Rio streets. Each samba school also has its own dance hall, and tourists are also welcome to soak in the practice sessions – learning the dances, songs, taking in the rhythmic drum beats, … and generally having a great time.

 

Salvador events

Salvador offers its own twist on Carnival. For those looking for something different, Salvador’s Carnival basically offers two parts: the parade of trio elétricos and the barracas. A trio elétrico is a semi trailer, with a massive payload of sound equipment and a band playing on top of the trailer. They parade slowly along one of two “circuits” – one close to the city center and the other running along the Atlantic Ocean. The setups are called “trios” because the first one was an old car (1929 Ford) with a driver and two musicians in back. That first car is displayed in the museum at the Lagoa da Abaeté in Itapoan.

 

This is a special year in Salvador as the Salvador celebrates 60 years of the trio elétricos. The festivities begin Thursday with the keys to the city will be handed to Carnival king in the presence of the fobica, the original car used as the first trio. Also as part of the celebration, Moraes Moreira will stand atop a trio to play Carnival frevos. A frevo is fast-paced music from Pernambuco introduced into Carnival on the first trio). Moreira is a Bahia music legend, with his songs recorded by Gal Costa, Zizi Possi, Daniela Mercury, Marisa Monte, and more. It has been 10 years since Moreira entertained Carnival-goers.

 

The second part of Salvador Carnival is the barracas – from the word for tents or stalls in Portuguese. The barracas are everywhere, turning Salvador into a city with parties literally everywhere. The stalls have their own sound systems and revelers tour the scene with cervejas, and other fruit and cachaça mixtures.

 

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And for those who can’t make it to Rio, Salvador, or a Carnival celebration here in the U.S. (or in your own country), put on a bit of samba, pour a cerveja or mix up a nice caparinha. Kick back and relax in your new Brazilian state of mind.

 

 

 

 

**** SIDEBAR **** CARNIVAL LINKS

 

 

Carnival surround – get your fix of ‘Samba and Sound’

There is nothing like Carnival, and while many cities offer some kind of celebration, there is nothing like the sights, sounds, and scene in Brazil. Below we have compiled a list of links to photos, information, songs, and much more on Carnival enjoy and check back in the coming days for more.

 

Guide to Rio Carnival 2010 – history, photos and information. | link |

 

O Globo Carnival 2010 – Updated daily with news, photos, and videos. | link |

 

Daily Rio Schedule of Events – see what’s happening in Rio. | link |

 

Carnival photos – from O Globo. | link |

 

Carnival videos – from O Globo. | link |

 

Trip to Carnival – information on travel and participating. | link |

 

Salvador Carnival – information on history and events. | link |

 

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Samba (Globe and Mail) – great article on embracing the Brazilian state of mind. | link |