SAMBA PARADES IN THE SAMBODROMO A show, display and competition of the samba schools. The two major days are Carnival Sunday and Monday. Only miss them if you can't afford to go. In that case you can go on some other day, which are significantly cheaper and also give you a good idea of the samba schools´ performance. Second best option is the Champions´ Parade on Saturday, followed by the Access Group parading on Carnival Friday. There are 5 different Rio Carnival Parades in the Sambodromo. 1. Children's Samba Schools Friday, February 16th, 19.00 (doors open at 17.00) They are branches of the big samba schools, formed by children of each community. Their parade follows the procedure of the big schools. 2. Samba Schools in the Access Group Saturday, February 17th , parades start at 21.00 There are 10 large and important samba schools in this group, ranking after the best 14 schools in the Special Group. The champion of this parade ascends to the Special Group. {An opportunity to see a parade on the cheap, although by far not as lavish and exciting as the big nights on Sunday and Monday.} 3. Samba Schools in the Special Group Sunday, February 18th and Monday, February 19th Doors open at 17.00, opening ceremony at 20.00, parades start at 21.00 This is the The Parade, the high-point of Rio Carnival, with seven schools on both days. The schools belonging to this group are especially magnificent and sumptuous. The two days are similar in terms of set-up. 6 of the best 13 Samba Schools march on Sunday and 7 on Monday. If you only opt for one day it should be Monday. The excitement of the people already reaches its ultimate limits by then and the winner usually comes from that day. {Only miss it if it is beyond your budget.} 2007 Samba Schools Parade Order Starts Sunday, Feb. 18 Monday, Feb. 19 21.00 Estácio Porto da Pedra 22.05 - 22.20 Império Serrano Unidos da Tijuca 23.10 - 23.40 Mangueira Salgueiro 00.15 - 01.00 Viradouro Portela 01.20 - 02.20 Mocidade Imperatriz 02.25 - 03.40 Vila Isabel Grande Rio 03.30 - 05.00 Beija-Flor 4. Samba Schools in Group "B" Tuesday, February 20th, starts at 21.00 It is also 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. Champions Parade Saturday, February 24th Starts at 21.00 but a small Italian school already parades at 20.00

Samba Schools 2007 RIO CARNIVAL BALLS Rio de Janeiro, as the City of Carnival, offers a selection of Carnival balls you really should not miss. You won't have to spend a fortune to have a great time. Tickets to most balls will cost you around R$20 to R$50 ($10-20) and are available on the door. Exceptions are the two most famous ones in the luxury hotels Copacabana Palace and Gloria. Other great balls are in the Rio Scala. Clube dos Caiçaras and the Hard Rock Café's Kid's Folia also organize animated costume balls for adults and children. There are more theme balls city-wide e.g. balls for Singles etc. Costumes are not mandatory, with the exception of a few balls. Putting on one will help you get in the right mood and will make the night even more special, though. Bear in mind however that Rio is the capital of Carnival and costume standards are very high. A true Carnival ball features live music and samba rules the floors. The percussion groups are full of vigor and can be just as loud as vast loud-speakers in night clubs. The Magic Ball at Copacabana Palace Hotel Saturday, February 17th This legendary ball is not just the high point of the night but also the most famous Carnival ball; the natural choice for glamour and sophistication. Luxury costumes or black tie are required, and a number of international and local VIP's are always among the guests. Buffet dinner and free bar. After 2.00 a.m. a selection of pastas is served. There are different tickets for the individual dining rooms. All tickets provide access to all ballrooms. In the Golden Room you can dance to the sounds of a live band. Standing tickets are without a table; however, good weather allowing, there are tables on the balcony. Standing tickets are without a table; however, good weather allowing, there are tables on the balcony. Prices: Golden Room R$1,950 Noble Saloon R$1,300 Standing R$1,000 Venue: Copacabana Palace Hotel, Avenida Atlantica 1702, Copacabana Tel.: (+55 21) 2545 8790 {Go if you are the glamorous type and you can afford it; book as early as possible.} Official Costume Competition in Hotel Gloria Saturday, February 17th This is a very traditional Carnival program in Rio with the best, biggest and most original costumes of the year (mainly destaques). It offers you the chance to see the best costumes of the principal samba schools before the Samba Parade, at close hand. There are also entrants with costumes only made especially for this event. It is a huge night with ca 900 people attending and it takes place in the halls of Hotel Gloria, one of the best and smartest hotels in Rio. The presentation is very theatrical. The huge and dazzling costumes represent historical characters or different concepts, according to the imagination of the gentlemen, ladies and drag queens who participate in the event. They compete in 4 categories: the sumptuous, the original, drag queen and soul. You do not have to wear a costume and can just go to see the competition. Venue: Hotel Gloria, Rua do Russel 632, Gloria Doors open at 18.30 and the competition itself start at 19.00. Admission is R$50. Tickets are on sale at Rua Senador Dantas 117, room 2008, Centro (Downtown) or call 2240-3338 / 2840-4414 (no English spoken). {Very traditional event and good Carnival fun. We highly recommend it.} Carnival Ball in the Restaurant Rio Scenarium Saturday, February 17th and Sunday, February 18th {It is worthwhile to go even just to see the venue, one of the most interesting restaurants in Rio} Rua do Lavradio, 20 – Lapa Admission R$30.00 Tel.: 2233-3239 Ball Masque 2007 Friday, February 23rd Venezian style ball with live music and DJs. The drummer group of one of the best Samba Schools will also play. Venue: Sofitel Rio – Av. Atlântica 4240/ Nível E - Copacabana Admission R$300.00 Table seat: R$500.00 Phone: 2525-1206 ________________________________________ SCALA BALLS - 2007 RIO CARNIVAL In its 27th your, Scala nightclub offers thematic dances every night during Rio Carnival 2007 , having the grandest indoor carnival parties of the city. The venue is big and very well-known. {A bit tacky, though.} Go and dance as much as you can! All parties take off after midnight. Venue: Rio Scala, Avenida Afrânio de Melo Franco 296, Leblon T el: (+55 21) 2239-4448 Tuesday, February 13th Mangueira Carnival Ball It is a good opportunity to experience the music and atmosphere of one of the most traditional and well-known samba schools (Mangueira) without having to visit its rehearsal place. The school will have it all: its drummer group, its principal samba dancers, the flag bearer and her escort. It is a real samba night - you can dance all night or just watch the crowd. This is a traditional event which happens every year. Admission R$40.00 Table R$300.00 Wednesday, February 14th Beija-Flor Carnival Ball It is a good opportunity to experience the music and atmosphere of probably the best Rio samba school (Beija-Flor) without having to visit its rehearsal place, which is very far away on the outskirts of Rio. The school will have it all: its drummer group, its principal samba dancers, the flag bearer and her escort. It is a real samba night - you can dance all night or just watch the crowd. Admission R$40.00 Table R$300.00 Thursday, February 15th Unidos da Tijuca Carnival Ball It is a good opportunity to experience the music and atmosphere of one of the most traditional Rio samba schools (Unidos da Tijuca) without having to visit its rehearsal place. Admission R$40.00 Table R$300.00 Friday, February 16th Red and Black Ball The night celebrates and is dedicated to the world-famous, red-and-black flagged Rio football team, Flamengo. It is one of the most popular nights. Admission R$80.00 Table R$600.00 Saturday, February 17th Ball of the Marvelous City The night celebrates and is dedicated to the city of Rio de Janeiro. Admission R$80.00 Table R$600.00 Sunday, February 18th Scala Gala Ball The biggest ball in the whole series, with some special guests. Admission R$40.00 Table R$300.00 Monday, February 19th Ball of all folks A new invention in the series of the Scala Carnival parties. DJs playing dance, Hip-Hop and club music mixed with samba. Admission R$50.00 Table R$300.00 Tuesday, February 20th Gay Costume Ball It is probably the most famous night in the series. A truly exotic collection of characters take to the two floors and a grand entrance is de rigueur - the ball is broadcast to the whole of Brazil. A flamboyant crowd with lots of drag queens and their admirers. It is very popular with all folks not only gay boys and girls. Admission R$80.00 Table R$700.00 ________________________________________

SAMBA LAND (TERREIRÃO DO SAMBA) Open-air space that resurrects the atmosphere of Praça Onze, a big square Downtown near the Sambodromo, which was the cradle of samba. It is officially inaugurated before Carnival, functioning at full steam through all the nights of the festivity. Consecutive shows of Brazilian popular music and samba take place on an imposing stage. Kiosks sell food and drinks. Venue: Praça Onze, Centro (Downtown) Admission: R$5 From Friday, February 24th until Tuesday, February 28th then again Friday, March 3rd and Saturday, March 4th Concerts by different groups, taking turns, from 20.00 until 05.00 a.m. ________________________________________ RIO FOLIA IN LAPA Rio Carnival has been known as a nursery for novelties, rhythms and styles. It always has some pleasant surprises for the public that congregates towards the Arches of Lapa, where Rio Folia presents concerts with music ranging from traditional Brazilian music to the latest trends whatever comes up that year. This is also a party area year-round, on Fridays. There is a festival feel to the whole place with, mainly young, people just chilling out and boozing. There is an eating area (of Brazilian style, do not expect any sophistication) which includes little drink and barbecue stands. Lots of booze and cheap food. The essence of Brazilian life. {A total hotchpotch of all styles and qualities; young crowd; go at least once; best late at night and just let it go.} Venue: Arcos da Lapa, Lapa All Carnival nights after 20.00 until dawn. ________________________________________ STREET PARTIES and DANCES From Saturday to Tuesday, street parties take place throughout the city. The emphasis is on joy and spontaneity. The biggest and most organized one is in Cinelândia. Apart from street dances, people simply gather outside little corner bars, booze and have fun. The biggest gathering is on Samba Parade days outside the Sambodromo. DANCES IN CINELÂNDIA ( Baile da Cinelândia) In Cinelândia, the open-air party lasts for five days to the sounds of acclaimed orchestras and singers, symbols of carnival music, reviving the atmosphere of carnival balls of the past. There is a stage on the square with the idols and most well-known singers of the times of the wireless (from the 40-60s). Good, old Brazilian/Rio music, mainly samba. The on-lookers (mainly older and working-class people) join in and dance away to the tunes. {Go once, you will have fun and it will give you a good insight into the Carioca soul} Venue: Praça Floriano, Cinelândia, Centro (Downtown) Music by different bands Friday-Tuesday 17.00-03.00 a.m. OUTSIDE THE SAMBODROMO On Samba Parade days not only inside the Sambodromo gets packed. Before, during and after the Parade thousands of people gather on the streets who did not get in. They are also joined by those who paraded in costumes and just want to party more making the crowd even more colorful with their fancy-dresses. It turns the whole downtown area into a huge and lively bar. {Go and join in by all means but dress down and have no valuables with you.} ________________________________________ STREET BANDS/PROCESSIONS (BLOCOS) They are one of the most essential ingredients of the Rio Carnival. Street bands, mainly bass, move trough the streets and thousands of people join in, many in their self-made costumes, jumping, dancing and boozing away as much as they can stomach. Cheap drinks are on sale by street vendors in abundance. On the other side of this page, you will find the full list of all the street bands of the Zona Sul and Downtown areas. There are many more in other parts of Rio, Bafo da Onça and Cacique de Ramos being the most traditional ones, marching in the Zona Norte. The biggest ones take place in Av. Rio Branco, Downtown (Centro). From Saturday to Tuesday you can see the greatest variety of street bands there, and it is where the merry-making is at its wildest with traditional groups such as Cordão do Bola Preta, Cacique de Ramos, Bafo da Onça, to mention just a few. A visit at the end of the afternoon is always entertaining. In some districts, specially in the Zona Sul districts of Gávea, Ipanema, Leblon, Copacabana and Botafogo, the bands and street groups anticipate their Carnival in the pre-carnival rehearsals, which follow the same formula. All you have to do is to turn up and join in. You can also buy the respective T-shirts and already start having fun and dancing before the group takes to the streets. {Go to a few; mainly to some in Av. Rio Branco and to Banda de Ipanema.} ________________________________________

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