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.

You can watch the video here

The choice of third-grader Julia Lira to lead the drum corps for the Viradouro samba group sparked controversy and a legal challenge by a children’s rights group who said she risked being sexually exploited.

The final word was left to a family court judge, who according to Brazilian media ruled on Wednesday she could join the parade. The judge’s office declined to comment.

If allowed, Lira will dance through the Sambadrome stadium after midnight on Sunday cheered by thousands of fans and celebrities expected to include Madonna, who has been pictured in Rio smooching with her 22-year-old Brazilian boyfriend.

In Carnival capital Rio, which has extra reason to party after being awarded the 2016 Olympics last year, masks of late U.S. pop idol Michael Jackson have been flying off the shelves along with those of Brazilian politicians in an election year.

U.S. R&B stars Beyonce and Alicia Keys are also in Brazil to take part in the festival of hedonism before Lent that is thought to have its roots in pre-Christian spring festivals.

The two donned feathered Carnival costumes to shoot a music video in a Rio slum on Tuesday and Beyonce opened the celebrations in the northeastern city of Salvador on Wednesday night with a show in front of 45,000 people.

But it is the much younger diva who has been dominating the pre-Carnival headlines.

The selection of a tiny girl in a role usually occupied by scantily clad, high-heeled models and buxom TV stars has sparked a heated debate, with critics saying she is too young to star in the grueling, sexually charged parade.

Drum queens, chosen for their looks and samba skills, dance non-stop in front of hundreds of drummers, wearing little more than a tiny bikini, a feathered headdress and high heels.

With Rio sweltering through its hottest February in half a century amid temperatures well above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), concern has also focused on the possible health consequences for a 7-year-old.

Julia’s father Marco Lira, who is also president of Viradouro, has defended her selection, saying she is doing what she wants and will wear an outfit designed for children.

“No father wants to expose his daughter. She will parade because she deserves it,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

Despite the controversy, children have traditionally been part of Carnival celebrations in the largely poor communities that form the competing samba schools and Lira is not the first young drum queen. Raissa de Oliveira, the 19-year-old queen of the Beija-Flor group, has been parading since she was 7 and was crowned queen at 12.

“I think this is a good break from the view of the queen as a sex symbol. The role of the queen is above all to present the orchestra of the samba school,” said Hiram Araujo, cultural director of the Independent League of Samba Schools. He saw no danger of Lira being sexually exploited as long as she was supervised by her parents.

Flush with the success of bagging the Olympics, Rio city officials are trying to impose more order than usual on the inherently chaotic event that draws millions of visitors to the beachside city with a reputation for violent crime.

Their main target — public urination that every year turns the city’s streets into a foul-smelling outdoor lavatory. Some 4,000 chemical toilets, up from 1,000 last year, are being placed throughout the city and officials are threatening those who relieve themselves in public with up to two years in prison for public indecency. A total of 62 “pee-ers” have already been arrested in pre-Carnival street parties, the city said.

“Peeing on the street is one of the biggest complaints we get at Carnival,” Rio de Janeiro Public Order Secretary Rodrigo Bethlem told Reuters. “Anyone caught will be taken to the nearest police station.”

1. Samba Schools in the Special Group
Sunday, February 14th and Monday, February 15th – See time-table
This is the “THE” Parade, the highlight of the Rio Carnival. The must-see show which has made Rio de Janeiro the Carnival capital of the world. All the Carnival world revolves around these two nights.
The schools belonging to this group are especially magnificent and sumptuous.
The two nights are similar in terms of set-up. 6 of the best 12 samba schools march on both Sunday and Monday. Choose the one which best fits into your schedule. Doors open at 17:00, opening ceremony at 20:00, parades start at 21:00.
Rehearsals – The schools’ 2010 samba songs

2. Champions Parade
Saturday, February 20th – See time-table
Starts at 21:00 but a small Italian school already parades at 20:00
The 6 best samba schools of the Special Group, from Sunday and Monday, parade in all their splendor once more, with fireworks.
{It is beautiful, however much quieter and cheaper than the principal competition days on Sunday and Monday. This is the second best parade.}

3. Samba Schools in the Access Group (Group A)
Saturday, February 13th , starts at 21:00
There are 12 large samba schools in this group, following the best 12 schools in the Special Group. The champion of this parade ascends to the Special Group.

4. Samba Schools in Group “B”
Tuesday, February 16th, starts at 21:00
This is called the base group, from which the big schools originated. They are small, each school having approximately 1,500 participants. Nevertheless they also parade with much vigor to defend their status. {Rather go to the Champions´ Parade or Access Group.}

5. Children’s Samba Schools
Friday, February 12th, 19:00 (doors open at 17:00)
These are branches of the big samba schools, formed by children of each community.
Their parade follows the procedure of the big schools.

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

Carnivals in any part of the world are all about fun and colors. A Rio carnival is known for its magnificent carnival balls which are an integral part of the celebration. These balls are organized on all days of the carnival and the upcoming one in 2010 also has them scheduled from February 11th. Most of these events are open for both adults and children with exception for few which are meant for the more adventurous kind. Costumes are easily available and though they are not necessitous having one will just add to the fun. The more famous of these is known as the Magic Ball and is held in the Palace Hotel at Copacabana. This is one ball which has guest from world over. This time the Magic Ball will spill its magic on all from 2300 hours on February 13th, 2010.

Mostly all samba schools ranging from the traditional ones to the recently established ones have their carnival balls, which are the best opportunities for all present there to get to see the samba moves and dance to the best samba beats. Scala balls are another famous one where every night is grand carnival party on all days of the Rio carnival. Rio carnival is the best way to witness the magic of samba. So do not forget booking you tickets for the carnival balls when you are in Rio for the carnival.

The most famous ones are:

• Cordão do Bola Preta: Parades in the centre of the city. It is one of the most traditional carnavals. In 2008, 500,000 people attended in one day.
• Suvaco do Cristo: Band that parades in the Botanic Garden, directly below the Redeemer statue’s arm. The name, in English, translates as ‘Christ’s armpit’, and was chosen for that reason.

• Carmelitas: Band that was supposedly created by nuns, but in fact it is just a theme chosen by the band. It parades in the hills of Santa Teresa, which have very nice views.
• Simpatia é Quase Amor: One of the most popular parades in Ipanema. Translates as ‘Friendliness is almost love’.
• Banda de Ipanema: The most traditional in Ipanema. It attracts a wide range of revellers, including families and a wide spectrum of the gay population (notably spectacular drag queens).

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Brazilian Carnaval 2005 – Mocidade – Rio de Janeiro

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No Inicio De Carreira No Tchakabum