Carnaval Rio

BEST SELLERS	HOTEL NAME	Room Type	Double	Single	Triple	More Information
3-star hotel	Savoy Othon)	Standard	$529	S1037	$495
4-star hotel	Luxor Copacabana	Standard	879	1749	N/A
5-star hotel	Rio Othon Palace	Superior	949	1849	885

Dates : February 15- February 22, 2007

Each Samba School represents a different neighborhood or social club from different areas of Rio. It's not a simple parade, but a competition between the schools attempting to gain points from their presentation composed of song, story, rhythm, dance , dress, each one go along the Sambodrome and contains thousands of sambistas (people who participate on the parade), all divided into sections of dancers, musicians and floats.

It all starts the year preceding Carnaval, as each samba school mobilizes thousands of supporters who will create the various parts of the school's display. A theme is chosen, music written, costumes created, richly decorated floats built, while are choreographed by the “carnavalesco”, the school director. By December, rehearsals have begun and, in time for Christmas, the sambas are recorded and released to record shops

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At the Desfile itself, the schools pass through the Sambadromo's parade ground, and the judges allocate points according to a number of criteria. Each school must parade for between 65 to 85 minutes, no more and no less. This year there will be 40 judges spread along the avenue.

These are some of the items which the schools are judged for:

Bateria
The Bateria, the percussion section, has to sustain the rhythm that drives the school's song and dance. The enredo is the story or lyric, and samba enredo is the music. Each samba school has from 250 to 350 percussionists. During the parade, the school's song is sung around 77 times.

Harmonia
Refers to the degree of synchronicity between the bateria (the percussion section) and the dance of the thousands of “passistas”(samba dancers).

Evolução
Refers to the quality of the dance, and the choreography is judged on its spontaneity and the skill of the dancers. The costumes are judged on their originality and beauty , their colors are the traditional ones adopted by each school.

Carros Alegóricos
The gigantic, richly decorated floats, which carry some of the “figures de destaque”, prominent figures, usually famous people from tv, or sports, who are invited to parade and wear the school's costumes. There can't be more than 8 per samba school.

Porta Bandeira / Mestre Sala
The School's flag bearer and the dance master. The woman carries the flag while her escort shows his dance habilities; the couple is a potentially big-point scorer.

Comissão de frente and alas
Traditionally a school's board of directors marches at the head of the parade, a role also filled with invited tv stars or sports teams. The “comissão de frente” usually brings a group of 10 people showing the theme of their samba school on their costumes and in their interesting choreography. The bulk of the procession behind them is formed by alas, the wings or blocks consisting of hundreds of costumed individuals each linked to a part of the school's theme.

Ala das Baianas
Traditionally, each school has one. I usually comes in the middle or the end of the parade and it is a block with hundreds of women (usually elderly ladies) dressed in the flowing costumes typical of Bahia in remembrance of the Bahian former slaves, who introduced many of the traditions of Rio Carnaval. These ladies work for the samba schools sewing and making the costumes for at least 6 months.

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By far the oldest, most widely enjoyed and, of course, cheapest form of Carnival revelry (free). The coming together of people, coming from the fun, loving carioca soul - some in elaborate costumes, some not - to dance, parade and party through the streets. Each neighborhood in Rio has its favorite Bandas (bun-dush) or Blocos (blo-cush). They consist of an orchestra marching along a pre-determined route, followed by hordes of enthusiastic samba dancers dressed in costumes, bathing suits, plain clothes, and even in drag. The operation of a Banda is really quite simple. First people gather at some well known spot, such as a square or neighborhood bar. After a couple or more hours of concentration, the band starts marching its way down the streets. The show performed by drag queens is a“ must see“ ! Here you have some of the most famous bands in Rio, and its concentration point, which is the place where people gather to initiate a small parade in the neighborhood. BOOK IT
Band Name	Área	Concentration point
Banda de Ipanema	Ipanema	General Osório Square
Simpatia é quase Amor	Ipanema	General Osório Square
Monobloco	Leblon	Av. Delfin Moreira
Leblon
Banda da Sá Ferreira	Copacabana	Av. Atlantica - corner of Santa

COPACABANA PALACE BALL February 17 th 2007

Rio offers a selection of Carnival balls you really cannot miss. A ticket to most Carnival balls will cost you around $40 to $80. Costumes are not mandatory, with the exception of a few balls. Putting on something special will help you get in the right mood, though. coming with a group, you can reserve a table, or even a box.

A true Carnival Ball features live music. It's usually 2 bands taking turns, and sometimes there is a guest vocalist. Samba percussion is supposed to be very loud. Bring earplugs, if you have sensitive ears.

Balls usually don't start until 11pm and go strong until sunrise. There are a big variety of balls for all tastes: Gala Balls, Balls for singles Gay balls etc. Most of the balls are quite informal affairs, open to the middle and upper-middle classes of Rio (popular balls, cheaper, wilder and potentially dangerous are also readily available, please make sure you select well your ball, by asking us). Recommended only for Adults.

Copacabana Palace Ball - the most glamorous party in Rio. It happens on Saturday (Feb. 17th). Its magnificent salons are decorated in a different theme every year. This is where the cream of Rio de Janeiro society and the city's celebrity can be seen.

CopacabIt starts at 11.00PM. Men and women dressed in black tie dance the night away to the sounds of a live band, in the breathtaking Golden Room. A traditional Carnival buffet is served and the party lasts until the wee hours. The ball has a different theme every year, and is where the most beautiful costumes can be seen. Gala dress - black tie or costume - is required for the Copa's ball.
Adress: Copacabana Palace Hotel - Av.Atlântica, 1.702 Copacabana.

Scala Balls
Over the last few years; the Scala Club in Leblon has become an important centre for balls and has hosted many important balls. The last carnival Scala hosted the following balls:

Mangueira Ball - The traditional Mangueira samba school's rhythm plays during the ball.
Beija-Flor Ball - The traditional Beija-flor samba school's rhythm plays during the ball.
Salgueiro Ball - The traditional Salgueiro samba school's rhythm plays during the ball.
Red and Black - (the “Red and Black Ball”) has developed a particular reputation as a no-holds-barred affair. Named after the colors of Rio's favorite football team, Flamengo, it's a media event with TV cameras scanning the crowds for famous faces.
Marvelous City - It is a tribute to the wonderful Rio de Janeiro city
Scala Gala - Famous people can be seen here.
Galera or Radio Ball - Hip hop and other kind of music mix with samba
Gala Gay - A fun event is the straight-friendly Scala Gay Costume Ball which stars exotic costumes, characters and grand entrances. People wear something colorful and fun.

Adress: Scala - Av. Afrânio de Melo Franco 296. Leblon

Rates for Carnival Balls will be available only in December. 2006

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PLEASE READ CAREFULLY before a ticket can be issued you need to send a COMPLETE credit card form and a copy of an ID and back and forth of the Credit card. A reservation is not considered as TICKETED unless all the forms have been received by our office in a timely matter during business days ( Monday - Friday ) . The Agency is not responsible for missed ticketing deadlines and or price changes.

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