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

Today we will talk about one of the most charming Goddesses of Brazilian Carnaval; Drum Queen Fabia Borges. Fabia´s relationship with Brazil´s Carnaval is probably one of the oldest amongst Carnival Muses since her mother called Juju Maravilha, was a respected samba-school Flag Bearer – porta-bandeira for Unidos da Tijuca Samba School (a traditional samba-school in Rio.) The Muse started to parade when she was only 5 years old, dancing samba in the kids section of the Nilopolis based samba-school Beija-Flor, her mother’s first Samba-School. Then, her mother Juju Maravilha, was invited to become the Flag-Bearer ( Porta Bandeira) for Unidos da Tijuca Samba School, and the beauty also joined the traditional samba-school.

Below we see the astonishing Carnaval muse , between two percussionists in a samba-show offered by Rocinha to a luxury mall in Rio called Fashion Mall.

Carnaval Musas Fabia Borges

Photo Credit: Agencia FOTO BR – Protected by law.

Since Carnaval was literally a family question, Fabia would participate in all samba-rehearsals and events since she could remember. Once she told the press her mother used to keep an eye on her when she was still very young, because of her precocious body: “My mother was right about being worried. I have this body since I was 13″.

Fabia always wears beautiful costumes. The one we see below was from the 2009 parade at Academicos da Rocinha, where she is seen in front of “her” Drum Section.

Fabia Borges Exclusive

Photo Credit: Agencia FOTO BR – Protected by law.

Fabia would debut as an adult at the Sambadrome runaway in 1996, when she dressed a small carnival bikini-type costume. She also mentioned, even though she was wearing a small costume, she felt comfortable, since she had never had problems with this kind of issue. She also stated that during that another parade, she had to change herself “in front of everyone at the Sambadrome”, since she arrived late at the concentração – parade meeting point. The muse was positively surprised that no one overlooked her, since everybody already respected her because of her Carnaval career. After parading a few years at Unidos da Tijuca Samba-School, Fábia Borges was invited to become the Carnaval Drum Queen for the Acadêmicos da Rocinha Samba-school, where she has supported since 2006.

Below, a perfect picture from photographer Alexandre Vidal, at the crowning ceremony in 2007. For new samba readers, this is the moment where the Carnival Muse receives the crown from the samba school president and pledges allegiance to the samba-school flag. We can clearly see all her passion and devotion to Rocinha and to the carnaval culture.

Exclusive Fabia Borges

Photo Credit: Agencia FOTO BR – Protected by law.

According to the Brazilian press, the Goddess of Carnaval Fabia Borges has been invited to pose for a men’s magazine several times in the past, but didn’t accept since her former husband (Fabia divorced in 2007) used to be very jealous. Today, the beauty re-affirms she would have no problem posing. Apart from her carnival profession, Fabia Borges used to be a sales manager for a company in Spain, where she lived for many years. The Goddess goes to the beach whenever she can and works out several hours per week to maintain her physical fit. When asked about her favorite exercise, she appoints regular running & indoor biking sessions.

Below, another magnificent photo of the lovely muse by Alexandre Vidal at Rocinha ´s official samba-rehearsal.

Exclusive goddesses of carnaval

Photo Credit: Agencia FOTO BR – Protected by law.

Drum Queen Fabia regularly participates at the samba-rehearsals promoted by Acadêmicos do Rocinha Samba-School in Rio, where she has the chance to practice her dance routines, as well as meet the samba- school´s supporters.

Rocinhas´s Muse once created an instant havoc with other Carnival beauties from Rio when she stated that all Drums Queens “hated each other.” We can surely imagine, since we know this is one of the most prestigious posts at the Carnaval of Brazil, and competition can be tough. The Brazilian model is now 28 years old, but looks far less. She has proportionate measures: 1,68 cm, 92 cm hips; and weighs 50 kilos in body full of soul and magic. In my personal opinion, Fabia is one of the most marvelous and graceful Carnival muses in Brazil! Congratulations for being a wonderful samba dancer and passionate Carnaval Queen!

Below, another interesting pose to all samba fanatics! The Goddess is wearing a butterfly costume since it´s Rocinha symbol.

Goddesses of Carnaval Fabia Borges

Click here to view the embedded video.

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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.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Carnival street parades followed a decade later with horse drawn floats and military bands. The sound closely associated with the Brazilian carnival, the samba, wasn’t part of carnival until 1917. The samba is a mix of Angolan semba, European polka, African batuques, with touches of Cuban habanera and other styles. What we now know as samba is a result of the arrival of black Brazilians (primarily from Bahia) to the impoverished slums or favelas surrounding Rio following the abolition of slavery in Brazil in 1888. Today the carnival is organized by the escolas de samba (samba schools). They first appeared in 1928. Much more than musical groups, they are in fact, neighborhood associations that provide a variety of community needs (such as educational and health care resources) in a country with grinding poverty and no social safety net.
Carnival Salvador da Bahia. Salvador da Bahia was Brazil’s first center of government (from 1549 to 1763), and remains its musical capital. For centuries, Bahia was home of the Portuguese sugar industry and slave trade. As a result, today Salvador is the largest center of African culture in the Americas. Amidst the colonial architecture and cobblestone streets, there is an unmistakeable beat of Bahian drumming. You can hear it in the stereo speakers and boomboxes blasting the latest Axê pop music. It becomes overwhelming when the large percussion ensembles (with literally hundreds of drummers) called “blocos Afros” take to the streets for carnival. It was a movement launched a half century ago by the group, Filhos de Gandhi (Sons of Gandhi). Today, there are countless blocos Afros that have taken on a new mission as part of the “negritude” movement to re-establish Black Pride. Olodum, Ara Ketu, Ilê Aiyé, Timbalada and the all women’s drumming mega-group Dida all electrify Salvador every February during carnival. Olodum’s Billy Arquimimo explains, “We started Olodum 20 years ago because at that time, black people used to be ashamed of their skin. We thought it was necessary to do something to re-establish Black Pride, and to redevelop African culture here in Bahia.” Like Rio, the city of Salvador is famous for its carnival. For both cities, it is an enormous festival leading up to Lent. That is where the similarities end. Rio is famous for its Samba schools, elaborate costumes (or at times no costumes), and a huge parade held at the Sambódromo Stadium. Salvador is Brazil’s street carnival. It lasts for weeks. The music begins daily as early as noon and runs until 7 or 8 the next morning…carnival brazil 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, Carnival Salvador Bahia, Mocidade Independente, timbalada, thatiana pagung, Ivete Sangalo, Mocidade Independente, WorldTraveler, Rio Carnival 2010 Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro, carnival rio de janeiro brazil carnaval samba mangueira brasil parade desfile tourism travel

Click here to view the embedded video.

We still have another 4 months to Carnaval in Rio, but Rio de Janeiro has a new Carnival Queen, Shayene Cesario. The muse we have described in the past has just been elected yesterday, October 9th, the new Official Rio de Janeiro 2010 Carnival Queen. The contest occurred in Rio´s Samba City.

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.

Rio de Janeiro was elected Best gay destination in the world by Trip Out GayTravel website. In accordance to that, traditional Mocidade Samba School has recently disclosed that a new wing was created for 2010 Carnaval in Rio. The Gay wing will rely on gay merrymakers parading down Rio´s Sambadrome.

However, the school informs that it is not mandatory that the person is gay to be a part of the wing. All it takes is attending rehearsal at school court every Wednesday between 8:30 P.M and 10 P.M. According to Diguinho Mocidade and Maurício D’Paula, responsible for the wing, selection will take to consideration enthusiasm, attendance amongst other requirements. The costume to be used by wing members is very irreverent: a Leopard.

This is the first time a Rio Samba-School dedicates an entire wing to the gay community, and it came in great time since Rio is now recognized as one of the best destinies for gays in the world.

2010 Carnival Parade Schedule for the “Special Group” in Rio de Janeiro:

Sunday, February 14th Rio Samba-Schools Schedule:>

1st Approximate Time: 9:00 PM – União da Ilha Samba-School
2nd Approximate Time: 10:05 PM – Imperatriz Leopoldinense Samba-School
3rd Approximate Time: 11:10 PM – Unidos da Tijuca Samba-School
4th Approximate Time: 00:15 AM – Viradouro Samba-School
5th Approximate Time: 01:20 AM – Acadêmicos do Salgueiro Samba-School
6th Approximate Time: 02:20 AM – Beija-Flor Samba-School

Monday, February 15th Rio Samba-Schools Schedule:

1st – Approximate Time: 9:00 PM – Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel
2nd Approximate Time: 10:05 PM - Porto da Pedra
3rd Approximate Time: 11:10 PM – Portela Samba School
4th Approximate Time: 00:15 AM – Grande Rio
5th Approximate Time: 01:20 AM – Vila Isabel
6th Approximate Time: 02:20 AM – Mangueira Samba School

Click here to view the embedded video.

Desfile das Campeãs – Estação Primeira de Mangueira, em 28/2/2009.