Above, the Juliana Alves, Carnaval Queen as Perola Negra Samba-School Drum Queen from Sao Paulo

Juliana is a passionate samba fan and has been literally to all samba-schools ‘quadras’ in Rio, where she practices her samba routines. (The Brazilian Muse actually lives two blocks away from Unidos da Vila Samba-School premises. ) Some of these quadras include Unidos da Tijuca, Portela, Mocidade Independente, Império da Tijuca, and Salgueiro. Important not to forget Juliana started her professional life as a true dancer, so she naturally has rhythm, specially samba, running thorough her veins.

Below, a special photo shoot made by Yuri Garnero of Tudo de Samba / Sambarazzo team:

In 2004, Alves, Juliana was invited to parade as Carnival Muse for traditional samba-school Salgueiro.

Also during that year, she enjoyed great success as full Queen of Drums for Império da Tijuca Samba-School, a coveted position in Brazil Carnaval.

Finally last year, in 2008, Juliana had a chance to present herself in two other samba-schools:

Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel and Renascer de Jacarepagua.

Even though the Carnaval Diva has rehearsed her samba routines in many samba-schools and joined the parade in at least 6 different samba-schools, when asked which one she supports, Unidos de Vila Isabel is the answer!

Congratulations for supporting the Carnaval in Brazil and making sure its culture is spread all over the world.

If you want to see Juliana, try one of the Samba practices in Rio…

Alves Juliana Short Life Biography:

Juliana Alves is a Brazilian actress & model, born May 3rd 1982. Juliana started her professional life as a dancer.

Later, she gained famed after participating in a reality show in 2003. She was then invited to join a Globo Network as contract actress. She participated in a many TV series and soap operas.

• “Chocolate com Pimenta” – 2003.
• ” Mano a Mano”. – 2004
• ” Prova de Amor” – 2006
• ” Amazônia, de Galvez a Chico Mendes” & “Duas Caras” – 2007
• ” Faça sua História”, ” Casos e Acasos” “A Grande Família” – 2008
• ” Caminho das Ìndias” – 2009

Beautiful picture of Alves Juliana by Leila Fiolino

We would like to thank Alice & Tudo de Samba/ Sambarazzo, and Yuri Garnero, which provided photos and text inspiration.

The beautiful Brazilian Muse in samba rehearsal in Sao Paulo, above

Below, the Queen of Drums, or in Portuguese Rainha de Bateria from Unidos da Tijuca samba School, Adriane Galisteu.

Samba historians have said that the figure of Brazilian samba muses go back to the beginning of Rio´s official Carnival celebrations. In 1950, Elvira Pagã was elected the first Rio Carnival Queen through a contest arranged by the ACC – the Carnival Journalists Association.

The Drums Queen element on the other hand, was introduced in the 1970´s, and popularized in the 1980´s. Some Carnaval historians point out that the first real Carnival Drum Queen was the Brazilian model Monique Evans, when she paraded with great sensuality, energy and passion in front of Mocidade Independente´s Drum Section, in 1985. Others still state that the first Queen of the Drums, was Nanana Meirelles, the mother of today´s President of Estação Primeira de Mangueira Samba-School.

Legendary Samba Muses include Luma de Oliveira, Luiza Brunet, Adriane Galisteu, Nana Gouvea, astonishing Juliana Paes, Thatiana Pagung, and recently Sabrina Sato, Grazi Massafera, Alessandra Mattos, Fabia Borges and glorious Viviane Araujo to name a few.

Below, all the energy and samba passion of Alessandra Mattos from Estacio de Sá Samba-School

Alessandra Mattos Muse from Estacio

Above we can see a fantastic photo of Drum Queen and Muse Alessandra Mattos in a vibrating moment at Rio de Janeiro Samba Avenue Marquês de Sapucaí, also known as Rio´s Sambadrome or Sambódromo taken Alexandre Vidal/ FOTO BR Agency: Alexandre Vidal, Ari Versiani, Fernando Azevedo, Levy Ribeiro, Luiz Alvarenga.

At BrazilCarnival.com.br, we deeply respect the impact these Muses represent at the parades in Rio and understand all their devotion to the Samba-Schools they represent. Carnaval Muses in Brazil are not objects for desire. They bring glamour, color and cultural energy to the show. We believe these wonderful women not only impress society with their exotic dances but enrich this magical festival, whether as parades high-lights-“destaques”, or in front of the Baterias, the Drums Sections

Below, one of the most astonishing muses of the Brazilian Carnival, Fabia Borges from Rocinha. As you can see, she has the power to hypnotize even the most experienced samba lover!

Every month, Brazilcarnival will pay homage to these fabulous queens and elect a Carnival Muse. Apart from posting high quality photos of these artisits we will also provide a brief biography and present their Carnaval experience. Also, we will always be adding newly elected Queens that are presented by the samba-schools and specialized media. We surely don´t want that these important figures to be forgotton in the History of samba and the Carnaval from Brazil.

Below, all the grace and beauty of Drum Queen for Vila Isabel in 2007, Adriana Perett.

When the Official Rio de Janeiro Queen and Princess Contest was over, Shayene Cesário could never imagine she would be crowned the Official Rio de Janeiro Carnival Queen, winning over 12 other contenders. The decision was made by a judging panel that considered several attributes for the final scores, including samba dance abilities, overall charisma, sympathy, body elegance and facial expressions. Members of the judging panel included: Sidney Rezende, Selmynha Sorrisoz, Viviane Araújo, and actor Davi Pinheiro.

Let´s get to know this Carnival Goddess a bit more: Shayene Cesario is a 24 years old model and law student born in Rio de Janero. The lovely Brazilian brunette has indigenous, European, and Afro-Brazilian roots, which clearly constructed that extraordinary look. The Carnaval Goddess was raised in the traditional São Carlos neighborhood and started to parade at the early age of 8 with Estácio de Sá Samba School in Rio.

As part of her attributes of 2010 Official Rio de Janeiro Carnival Queen, Shayene Cesario will participate in a series of carnival balls, visit several samba rehearsals promoted by traditional samba schools like Unidos da Tijuca, Mangueira, together with the other members of the carnival court in Rio: Talita Martins and Suellen Pinto, the two Carnival Princesses, and Momo King Milton Rodrigues. Those who think this marketing pampering campaign is just posing may be unadvised: The carnival promotion marathon is extremely strenuous and fatiguing. As an example of a classic Carnaval promotional event, the Rio de Janero Mayor hands the “city´s keys” to Carnival court and officially opens the carnival festivity.

But who said this astonishing muse is only appealing to the eyes? Shayene is finishing her Law School and will become a full lawyer in one year. The new Rio Carnival Queen worked for two years as an intern at the Public Attorney in Rio, where she had a good chance to learn a bit of the profession’s routine.

To maintain the amazing fit, Shayene Cesario works out every day and also practices martial arts. Shayene Cesario has nearly perfect measures: 5.74 feet (1, 75 m ) and 143 pounds ( 65 kg) in a proportional waist line. Apart from parading in Rio´s Sambadrome, Shayene also paraded in São Paulo, where she enjoyed great success.

I am sure the new Carnaval Queen Shayene Cesario will be one of Brazil´s 2010 next celebrity for everything she represents: her simple ways, her friendly smile, her colorful ethnic background and spontaneous personality.

Good luck in 2010 and congratulations for your samba roots!

Brazil Tours: Rio de Janeiro
Most Brazil tours either start or finish in Rio. Besides touring the world-famous beaches and mountains surrounding Rio, tour operators in Brazil can also arrange for visitors to this city to tour the historic downtown neighborhoods of Centro, Lapa, and Santa Teresa. Here, Brazil tours will include a walk down some of the old colonial narrow cobbled streets and grand plazas, as well as tours of the churches and museums. What’s more, no tour of Brazil would be complete without the experience of shopping in Rio!

For the sports-minded visitor to Rio, local tour operators in Brazil can arrange for you to do some hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, surfing, and even attend a game of soccer. Whether you’re interested in athletics, history, or art, a tour of Rio is well worth putting on your vacation itinerary.

Brazil Tours: Iguassu Falls

Iguassu Falls are considered one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World. Although they are neither the widest, nor the highest, waterfalls in the world, they are considered the most spectacular. Local tour operators in Brazil can arrange for visitors to take one-, two-, or three-day tours of Iguassu Falls, where they will have opportunities to try a number of activities, including:

* Take photos of the amazing sight of all 275 cataracts
* Walk the entire four-kilometer length of the falls (from bank-to-bank)
* Do the Gran Aventura boat ride to the bottom of the falls
* Do the Macuco Safari Tour

Brazil Tours: The Amazon

Most would argue that a Brazil tours holiday is not complete without a tour of Brazil’s most famous natural wonder: the Amazon. Tour operators in Brazil offer a multitude of tours of the Amazon including:

* Bird tours
* Boat tours
* Tours to Manaus, the gateway to the Amazon
* Tours of Native Brazilian tribal villages
* Tours of the Pacarima Mountains (which are more than 9,000 feet high)
* Tour of the Andean Mountains and Neblina (Foggy) Mount

Brazil Tours: Salvador

Salvador is one of Brazil’s oldest cities and was, during colonial times, it was the gateway of Brazil’s slave trade. As a result, this wonderfully historic city has both a diverse culture (Brazil tours to Salvador are also an excellent way to see the influence Africa had on this nation), but also of fantastic architecture. Tour operators in Brazil can also arrange for you to spend some time at the famous lighthouse overlooking the Bay of All Saints, Brazil’s second largest bay. For a truly unique Brazil tour, however, make sure you take in some of the Capoeira experience in Salvador. Capoeira is a mixture of martial arts and dance and is an unforgettable sight.

Anyone interested in discovering more about any of these Brazil tours can find numerous virtual tour previews available on many of the web sites for tour operators in Brazil. These Brazil virtual tours will provide you with some useful insights into what to see. In particular, Brazil virtual tours of the Amazon are highly recommended before visitors decide to embark on their journey there, as there is literally so much to see and do that you likely won’t be able to see everything in one trip, and the virtual tours can help decide which is the right tour for you.

Carnaval Experience:

Juliana Alves is the next muse we will portray in our Goddess of Brazil Carnaval Gallery. The 27 years old Brazilian former professional dancer and actress is the new sensation on the entrainment scenario and is a long enthusiast of the samba and Carnaval. Let´s understand how this passion was born. In an interview, Juliana Alves stated she began listening to classic samba composers like Cartola, Paulinho da Viola, with her father called Sebastião. According to Juliana Alves, the samba was so embedded within the family that they even had a kind of ‘family anthem’, which was late Gonzaguinha´s famous song called “O que é o que é?”

Juliana is a passionate samba fan and has been literally to all samba-schools ‘quadras’ in Rio, where she practices her samba routines. The Brazilian Muse actually lives two blocks away from Unidos da Vila Samba-School premises. In 2004, Juliana was invited to parade as Carnival Muse for traditional samba-school Salgueiro. Also during that year, she enjoyed great success as full Queen of Drums for Império da Tijuca Samba-School, a coveted position in Brazil Carnaval. Finally last year, in 2008, Juliana had a chance to present herself in two other samba-schools: Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel and Renascer de Jacarepagua. In 2009, she was the muse for Vila Isabel Samba-School and Renascer de Jacarepaguá from Rio, and Pérola Negra from São Paulo. This is what I call Carnaval passion and energy!

Even though the diva has rehearsed her samba routines in many samba-schools and joined the parade in at least 6 different samba-schools, when asked which one she supports, Unidos de Vila Isabel is the answer! Apart from the spirtuall energy the carnaval provides, Juliana also says it helps to keep her physical fit! After all, samba dancing is extremely calorie burning, and one session can consume up to 550 calories. Not bad!

Juliana, congratulations for supporting the Carnaval in Brazil and making sure its culture is spread all over the world.

Below, Juliana and her beautiful smile at another Samba-School, Rocinha, during a samba-practice.

Short Life Biography:
Juliana Alves is a Brazilian actress & model, born May 3rd 1982. Juliana started her professional life as a dancer. Later, she gained famed after participating in a reality show in 2003. She was then invited to join a Globo Network as contract actress.

She participated then in a many TV series and soap operas.
• “Chocolate com Pimenta” – 2003.
• ” Mano a Mano”. – 2004
• ” Prova de Amor” – 2006
• ” Amazônia, de Galvez a Chico Mendes” & “Duas Caras” – 2007
• ” Faça sua História”, ” Casos e Acasos” “A Grande Família” – 2008
• ” Caminho das Ìndias” – 2009

Below, a fanstastic shot by Quasebart, from the Carnaval Muse Juliana Alves, during the parade dry run. Here she shows that her background as a professional dancer still runs in her veins.

Imagine thousands of singers and dancers planning, practicing, and building elaborate floats, then parading for 75 minutes down a narrow 700-yard route in front of thousands of exuberant fans and millions on television.

Community groups called schools have performed in Rio’s Samba Parade for decades, and 14 of the best perform at the Sambodromo on the Sunday and Monday nights (7 each night) before Ash Wednesday each year.

Each school develops a theme and a new samba song. About a half dozen floats and 30+ different costumed groups support the theme and dance down the parade route singing the samba song.

Drummers, a band, loudspeakers, and screaming spectators keep the volume and intensity up.

It’s an amazing celebration!

These photos from the 2007 Rio Samba Parade were taken on a Carnaval cruise to Rio on Celebrity Cruises’ Infinity.

Mounted men personifying Sartiglia Knights ride ahead of the reenactment of the game Sartiglia in Oristano, west Sardinia on February 22, 2009 at the end of the 544th Carnival of Sardinia. Sartiglia, an equestrian game of ancient origins, where masked knights on horseback joust for a star hung along a track at man height. Contenders try to pass the star onto their sword as they ride along. (MARIO LAPORTA/AFP/Getty Images)

Revellers take part in the annual carnival in the Adriatic city of Imotski, Croatia on February 22, 2009. (REUTERS/Stringer)

No início da apresentação da Grande Rio, um membro da escola fez um vôo decolando da concentração passando por cima dos primeiros membros da escola e voltou para a frente da Sapucaí, lembrando um dos grandes momentos da escola na história do Carnaval. O carro alegórico “todas as escolas” agradou todos os foliões na passarela do samba, ao levar artistas, músicos e celebridades. A rainha de bateria da Grande Rio, Paola Oliveira, sorriu muito diante dos ritmistas. A ala estava vestida de garis, em homenagem ao gari conhecido como Sorriso, personagem que virou história na Marquês de Sapucaí.

O samba da Vila Isabel, de autoria de Martinho da Vila, retratou trocadilhos com o nome de Noel Rosa, que foram retratados na primeira ala da agremiação, com fantasias que tinham referências natalinas. A paixão do compositor pela boemia foi representada por um carro alegórico com um bar móvel. A harmonia da bateria teve o toque especial da dançarina Gracyanne Barbosa, que estava fantasiada de “noite”. A emoção da apresentação ficou por conta do último carro da escola, intitulado “uma outra festa no céu”, que retratou a abertura dos portais do céu para uma outra festa de Noel Rosa.

O carro abre-alas da Mangueira, com aproximadamente 65 m de comprimento e decorado com mil m de espelhos, retratou o morro e seus barracos. Além disso, 50 mil flores foram instaladas para decorar o carro que representou o movimento da Tropicália. À frente da bateria, brilhou com a modelo e atriz Renata Santos – capa da revista Playboy do mês de fevereiro. A fantasia da bateria trouxe uma grade de metal que envolveu todos os 250 ritmistas, representando a censura durante a ditadura. O carro abre-alas da verde e rosa teve um princípio de incêndio, mas rapidamente as chamas foram controladas pelo Corpo de Bombeiros. O fogo atingiu o papel picado que estava no chão do carro.

O enredo da Portela mostrou como a tecnologia é capaz de transformar a realidade social do Rio de Janeiro. A apresentação futurista da Portela trouxe ainda fantasias representando bluetooth, banda larga e fibra óptica. Juliana Portela foi a rainha de bateria, enquanto Rogerinho e Lucinha Nobre formaram o primeiro casal de mestre-sala e porta-bandeira. A comissão de frente da Portela convidou o público para navegar pela internet.

A proposta do enredo da Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel foi apresentar todos os paraísos da historia da humanidade. Por conta de uma torção no tornozelo, vestindo uma fantasia que representa um talismã das índias amazonenses, Elza Soares entrou na Passarela do Samba em uma base com rodinhas e duas hastes para se segurar. As baianas da Mocidade representaram as esmeraldas que cravejavam os muros do Jardim do Éden. O paraíso tropical foi o tema de um dos carros alegóricos. Índias montadas em onças foi o grande destaque.

O enredo da Porto da Pedra, Com Que Roupa Eu Vou? Pro Samba Que Você Me Convidou, fez uma referência à música Com Que Roupa, de Noel Rosa. Uma apresentação de moda com estilistas renomados esteve na avenida. A atriz Marília Pêra representou a estilista francesa Coco Chanel, enquanto a sensualidade da funkeira Valesca Popozuda dava ritmo à bateria da vermelho e branco de São Gonçalo. Os brasileiros Alexandre Herchcovitch e Lino Villaventura também foram lembrados pela escola. No último carro da escola, com a presença da atriz global Carolina Ferraz, a Posto da Pedra promoveu uma apresentação de moda ao vivo, com direito a passarela e roupas especialmente confeccionadas para a festa.

Segundo a moça, o namorado, cujo nome começa com a letra F, pediu uma homenagem à musa no Carnaval. Ele, que está na Europa, não pode acompanhá-la em sua apresentação.

De acordo com Raissa, eles namoram há 1 ano e meio e o cortejo partiu do jogador. “Ele levou tempo tentando me conquistar. Eu tinha um certo preconceito por ele ser jogador. Eu espero que ele me retribua a homenagem com um gol”, disse.

Para matar a curiosidade, a redação do Terra pesquisou o nome dos jogadores escalados para a partida contra a Irlanda e descobriu que o único atleta cujo nome começa com a letra F é o do jogador Felipe Melo, que atua pela Juventus, na Itália.

A assessoria de imprensa do jogador da Juventus de Turim negou enfaticamente qualquer ligação de Felipe com Raissa. O atleta da Seleção Brasileira é casado, tem três filhos e vive com sua mulher na Itália desde sua transferência do Grêmio.

Raissa esclareceu, ao final da apresentação, que a informação estava equivocada, e que na verdade seria o apelido do atleta com quem está envolvida que inicia com a letra F.

View uncensored photos here