2012 Carnival Parades in Rio de Janeiro – 04

Renata Santos, Queen of the drums of Mangueira - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

This second article about the second night of parades of samba schools in the Special Group of Rio de Janeiro relates the parades of samba schools Mangueira, Unidos da Tijuca and Grande Rio.

With the opening float and the theme 'Sou Cacique, Sou Mangueira' the parade of Mangueira thrilled the audience in Sapucaí - photo: Vanderlei Almeida / AFP

Runner-up of 2011, Unidos da Tijuca led to the Avenue a tribute to composer Luiz Gonzaga, in its attempt to win the title. With the theme “O dia em que toda a realeza desembarcou na Avenida para coroar o Rei Luiz do Sertão” (The day that in all the royal landed in the avenue to crown King Louis of the Wilderness), written by carnivalesque  Paulo Barros, the yellow and blue from northern Rio celebrated and consecrated the Rei do Baião (the King of Grande Baiha) and Brazil’s northeast.

Highlights of the parade of Mangueira - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

A year after losing its shack in a fire in Cidade do Samba (Samba City) in the docklands of Rio, Acadêmicos da Grande Rio closed the parades of the Special Group with examples how to overcome a disastre. The tricolour thrilled the audiences with stories that have become icons in the world, like the ones of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, and the conductor and pianist João Carlos Martins.

4th – Mangueira
In the carnival this year, Mangueira showed that the Marquês de Sapucaí can also be the stage for the traditional street blocks. The green and pink celebrated the popular joy and fun of street carnival telling the story of the block Cacique de Ramos, who turned 50 years in 2011.

Highlights of the parade of Mangueira - photo: Christophe Simon / AFP

To win the 19th title of Carnival, Mangueira brought the storyline “Vou festejar! Sou Cacique, sou Mangueira” (I go celebrate! I am the Chief, I am Mangueira), developed by carnivalesque Cid Carvalho, who made his debut in the samba school. The carnival relived the atmosphere of street carnivals and popular festivals of the district Ramos in the north of Rio, the birthplace of the block, sponsored by the green and pink.

Dancer of Mangueira drew attention by using a micro-fantasy - photo: Christophe Simon / AFP

For the third consecutive year, the queen Renata Santos reigned supreme in front of the drums section commanded by Master Ailton. The master of ceremonies and the standard-bearer Raphael Rodrigues and Marcella Alves completed the team of Mangueira in search of the so desired championship.

Renata Santos, Queen of the drums of Mangueira - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

Muse of the samba school Mangueira - photo: Christophe Simon / AFP

Scheila Carvalho paraded as one of the highlights of samba school Mangureira - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

Allegoric floats of samba school Mangueira - photo: Ricardo Moraes / Reuters

Queen Renata Santos, in front of the drum band of Mangueira - photo: Sergio Moraes / Reuters

Muse of Mangueira - photo: Antonio Scorza / AFP

Aerial view of the parade of Mangueira - photo: Victor R Caivano / AP

Scheila Carvalho paraded with the samba school Mangureira - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

Details of the fantasy used by a member of Mangueira - photo: Christophe Simon / AFP

Samba school Mangueira brought 'paradona' of the drum band as a novelty in the parade this year - photo: Alexandre Macieira / Riotur

Renata Santos, Queen of the drum of Mangueira, during the parade - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

5th – Unidos da Tijuca
After traveling through the history of film in 2011, Unidos da Tijuca made a new ride at the carnival this year, but this time, the places visited were the scenarios that served as inspiration for Luiz Gonzaga. Kings and queens invited the public to visit places like the San Francisco Valley to the sound of the accordion and the “bailão”.

Lifted high into the air by a crane, a member of Unidos da Tijuca represented the, by the parade honoured, Luiz Gonzaga - photo: Ricardo Moraes / Reuters

With the theme “O dia em que toda a realeza desembarcou na Avenida para coroar o Rei Luiz do Sertão” (The day that all the royalty landed in the avenue to crown King Luiz of the Wilderness), arranged by the carnivalesque Paulo Barros, yellow and blue of the North Zone of Rio celebrated and consecrated the King of Baião and north-eastern Brazil, his inspiration. Barros made a call to all the monarchs of the world to participate in this festival that ends with a Coronation in the Avenue.

Muse of Unidos da Tijuca dances the samba - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

One of the highlights this year was the drum band commanded by Master Casagrande. To pack the story about the King of Baião, the percussionists dared mixing the dance with the famous “paradinhas”. In front of the musicians came its Queen Gracyanne Barbosa, who made her debut. The samba school took 3,600 dancers, divided in 33 groups to the Avenue.

In the colour of clay, master of ceremonies and teh standard-bearer parade for the Unidos da Tijuca - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

Queen of the drums of Unidos da Tijuca, Gracyanne Barbosa dances the samba - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

The float of Unidos da Tijuca 'Do barro, se fez a vida' (From clay life is made) - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

Muse of the samba school Unidos da Tijuca sings the samba-enredo and forms a heart with her fingers - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

Gracyanne Barbosa in the parade of Unidos da Tijuca - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

Muse on top of a float of Unidos da Tijuca has a fantasy adorned with feathers - photo: Victor R - photo: Caivano / AP

Muses dance the samba on top of a float of Unidos da Tijuca visualising a vessel, with the theme 'O rio São Francisco vai bater no mei' do mar' (The river São Francisco will hit in mid-sea) - photo: Victor R Caivano / AP

Gracyanne Barbosa in the parade of Unidos da Tijuca. The 'Rei do Baião' (King of Baião), Luiz Gonzaga, is the theme of the samba school this year - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

'Asa branca' (White Wing) was the last float of the parade of Unidos da Tijuca - photo: AFP

6th – Acadêmicos da Rio Grande
After losing everything last year in the fire in Cidade do Samba (Samba City), samba school Rio Grande made a comeback and talked about overcoming the disaster. The fire destroyed several sheds and Rio Grande was the most affected of all samba schools. Carnivalesque Cahê Rodrigues arranged the theme “Eu acredito em você! E você?” (I believe in you!  And you?). Issues addressed survival through love, as the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the victims of Haïti, the Jewish feeling and the apartheid with Nelson Mandela.

An animated Muse of Grande Rio, visualising the capricious bio and ox - photo: AFP

The school also visualised the overcome in sport. Paralympic athletes had a high profile and were honoured in the parade. Grand allegories with much luxury and technology. So was the parade of Rio Grande. As the samba school was already known for attracting many celebrities to the Avenue, this year it brought together a large number of people who have learned to overcome. The tricolour brought to the Avenue 3,800 dancers, divided in 32 groups.

Actress Mônica Carvalho also danced in the parade of Grande Rio - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

Because of the fire, the Rio Grande did not dispute the title in 2011. This year, the samba school will be the last to parade. The Queen of the drums, commanded by Master Ciça, is actress Ana Furtado, and the couple master of ceremonies and standard-bearer Luiz Felipe and Squel.

Ex-BBB Maria paraded with Grande Rio - photo: Christophe Simon/AFP

Mirella Santos shined in Sapucaí - photo Alexander Durão/G1

Mayra Cardi danced in the parade of Grande Rio - photo: Christophe Simon / AFP

The float 'Derrubando gigantes' (Knocking down giants) highlighted the fighter Minotaur - photo: Victor R - photo: Caivano / AP

One of the highlights of Grande Rio dancing the samba down the avenue - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito / G1

The actress Susana Vieira, godmother of Rio Grande, paraded in Sapucaí - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito / G1

The float 'Anjos anunciam a luz que vem do céu' (Angels announce the light that comes from heaven) opened the parade of Rio Grande - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito / G1

Ana Hickmann paraded with Rio Grande. In São Paulo, she represented Vai-Vai - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

Ana Furtado, godmother of the drums of Grande Rio - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

Members on top of a float of Grande Rio, which brought the stories of overcoming in Sapucaí - photo: AFP

Member of Rio Grande dances the samba - photo: AFP

Actress Cristiane Torloni on top of the opening float 'Anjos anunciam a luz que vem do céu' (Angels announce the light that comes from heaven) - photo:' Rodrigo Gorosito / G1

Geovana Tominaga represented the Japanese delicacy in the parade of Grande Rio - photo: Christophe Simon / AFP

Luis Felipe and Squel Jorgea form the first couple of master of ceremonies and standard-bearer - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito / G1

The group 'Bailarina Negra' (Black Dancer) is a tribute to Mercedes Batista - photo: AFP

Muse of Grande Rio in Sapucaí on top of the float 'Derrubando gigantes' (Knocking down giants) - photo: AFP

Groups of Rio Grande devoted to names that represent the overcoming in sports. Lars Grael, Ronaldo Fenômeno and Clodoaldo Silva were among those honoured - photo: AFP

That was carnival 2012. I hope you enjoyed the photos. Back to normal life.

2012 Carnival Parades in Rio de Janeiro – 03

One of the highlights of samba school São Clemente.- photo: Christophe Simon / AFP

The second night of parades of samba schools in the Special Group of Rio de Janeiro had a bit of everything: from a trip to London, through stories of resilience and fever for great musicals. Six samba schools were present on Monday (20) in Marquês de Sapucaí: São Clemente, União da Ilha, Salgueiro, Mangueira, Unidos da Tijuca and Grande Rio. The first parade started at 21h.
In this article the first three samba schools.

The parade was opened by São Clemente, which suffered a last place in 2011. The samba school from Botafogo told the story “Uma aventura musical na Sapucaí” (A musical adventure in Sapucaí) written by the carnivalesque Fabio Ricardo.

Float of São Clemente.- photo: Antonio Scorza / AFP

Runner-up of 2011, Unidos da Tijuca led to the Avenue a tribute to composer Luiz Gonzaga, in its attempt to win the title. With the theme “O dia em que toda a realeza desembarcou na Avenida para coroar o Rei Luiz do Sertão” (The day that in all the royal landed in the avenue to crown King Louis of the Wilderness), written by carnivalesque  Paulo Barros, the yellow and blue from northern Rio will celebrate and consecrate the Rei do Baião (the King of Grande Baiha) and Brazil’s northeast.

Percussionist of samba school São Clemente alongside muses - photo: Antonio Scorza / AFP

A year after losing its shack in a fire in Cidade do Samba (Samba City) in the docklands of Rio, Acadêmicos da Grande Rio closed the parades of the Special Group with examples how to overcome a disastre. The tricolour thrilled the audiences with stories that have become icons in the world, like the ones of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, and the conductor and pianist João Carlos Martins.

1st – São Clemente
From “Cats” à “Ópera do malandro” (Cats” to “Opera of the Trickster”) São Clemente transformed the Marquês de Sapucaí in a kind of “Brazilian Broadway”. To achieve the (never won) dream title of Rio’s Carnival, the samba school brought a bold and colourful parade, assembled characters who made history in music. After bringing a slum into a huge lifeboat to the Avenue, the school drew public attention with a replica of the Statue of Liberty in a bikini and an ice cream in hand.

Globeleza, Aline Prado, at the opening of the second day of parades of São Clemente in Sapucaí - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

São Clemente led about 3,300 dancers, divided into 34 groups and seven floats to the Avenue. For the second year in the Special Group, the parade started with a lavish masked ball, making reference to the musical “The Phantom of the Opera.” Hits like “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Sound of Music” and “Cabaret” were remembered.

São Clemente took a balloon representing a mulatto to the Avenue. It was made by the same company that makes the balloons for Thanksgiving in New York (USA) - photo: Rodrigo Vianna/G1

Founded in 1951, São Clemente wanted to celebrate 50 years of samba in style. Being in the last place in 2011, the school started as the first to pass the Avenue.

The parade of São Clemente viewed from above - photo: Felipe Dana / AP

Baianas during the parade of São Clemente - photo: Felipe Dana / AP

Bruna Almeida, queen of São Clemente, dancing the samba in front of a percussionist - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

One of the highlights of São Clemente, which opened the second day of parades in Sapucaí - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

Beautiful women called attention to the parade of São Clemente - photo: Christophe Simon / AFP

Muse of the samba school São Clemente.- photo: Christophe Simon / AFP

Muse of São Clemente sings the samba-enredo during the parade - photo: Christophe Simon / AFP

Float of samba school São Clemente - photo: Ricardo Moraes / Reuters

Queen of the drums of São Clemente, Bruna Almeida during the parade - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

Allegoric floats of samba school São Clemente - photo: Victor R. Caivano / AP

Muse of São Clemente dancing the samba during the parade of the samba school - photo: Antonio Scorza / AFP

Karen Motta, Karen Motta during the of São Clemente in Sapucaí - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

Carnival beauty of São Clemente - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

Muse of samba school São Clemente during the parade in Sapucaí - photo: Antonio Scorza / AFP

Muse of samba school São Clemente during the parade in Sapucaí - photo: Antonio Scorza / AFP

São Clemente enthused the public during the parade in Sapucaí - photo: Ricardo Moraes / Reuters

Member of São Clemente during the parade Sapucaí - photo: Sergio Moraes / Reuters

2nd – União da Ilha do Governado
Alice, Elizabeth Taylor, Lady Di and Harry Potter. These were some of the characters that the União da Ilha brought to the Marquês de Sapucaí to tell the story “De Londres ao Rio: Era uma vez uma… Ilha” (From London to Rio: There was once an …… isle”. The tricolour transformed Sapucaí in the capital of England. Site of the 2012 Olympics, London had is story told and sung during the 82-minute parade.

A tripod and a float visualising the gates of Buckingham Palace opened the parade of União da Ilha do Governador. The allegories talk about the early history of London - photo: Felipe Dana / AP

The typical British humour was present in seven floats and the costumes of 4,000 dancers, divided into 33 groups. With five large silver heads, capable of reaching up to 9.5 meters high, the opening float of the União da Ilha visualised the Celtic people and their achievements.

The most perfect palace guards ever seen. The float visualized the gates of Buckingham Palace with beautiful guards at attention. From this gate, samba school União da Ilha do Governador travelled back in time telling the story of England - photo: Paloma Pietrobelli / G1

Due to the fire, União da Ilha was not present at the carnival last year, but this time, the school says they are confident and ready to enter the Avenue where they paraded as the second, between 22.05 and 22h22. Again, the queen Bruna Bruno danced in front of the drum band commanded by the Master Riquinho.

Bruna Bruno, queen of União da Ilha do Governador, gave a show - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

Muse sings the samba-enredo of União da Ilha do Governador. The samba school also talked about the Olympics - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

Muse of União da Ilha do Governador shows the samba dance on the boulevard - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

Dancer of União da Ilha do Governador was one of the a highlights of the school - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

Muse of União da Ilha do Governador parades in the avenue - photo: Christophe Simon / AFP

Highlight on the ground during the parade of União da Ilha do Governador, the second school to parade on the closing day of the Rio carnival - photo: Antonio Scorza / AFP

The openings float of União da Ilha do Governador enters Sapucaí at the begiing of the parade - photo: Rodrigo Vianna / G1

The Front Committee of União da Ilha do Governador presented themselves in Sapucaí. Renato Smile (orange), famous for cleaning the avenue, joined them - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito / G1

The Front Committee of União da Ilha do Governador visualized a parody of parades of the English Royal Court - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito / G1

Member of União da Ilha do Governador sings the samba of the school. The school brought four thousand dancers to the avenue - photo: Felipe Dana / AP

The float of União da Ilha do Governador 'Alice's Tea' brought the English tradition to the Rio carnival, mixing tea with rum - photo: Ricardo Moraes / Reuters

 3rd – Acadêmicos do Salgueiro
Verses and rhymes about twines were the inspiration for the carnival of Acadêmicos do Salgueiro this year. Poetic, playful and delighted was the parade of red and white from northern Rio. The samba school brought to the Marquês de Sapucaí the plot “Cordel branco e encantado” (Cordel white and delighted). Note: Cordel was a popular author of fiction from the northeast. It also means a string, a small cord). The samba school presented the works, characters and scenarios that made history with the serials around the country.

The float of Acadêmicos do Salgueiro 'O reino do cordel' (The kingdom of the string) represents the 'land of hot sun', with typical elements of northeastern Brazil - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

Theme with biased rustic, folk and regionalist roots, the string literature also inspired the “furious”, as is called the drum band of Salgueiro, commanded by Master Marcão. Bass drum, accordion and triangles joined the tambourines and drums in a daring blend of samba with Baião. According to Marcão, the musicians responsible for the “new sound” are from the community itself.

Viviane Araujo plays the tambourine during the parade of her samba school Acadêmicos do Salgueiro - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

With the fifth place in 2011, Salgueiro was the third school to parade and did so with 3,800 dancers in 35 groups.

The actress Sophie Charlotte paraded with Acadêmicos do Salgueiro - photo: Wagner Meier/Fotoarena/AE

Adriana Bombom during the parade with Acadêmicos do Salgueiro - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

The float of Acadêmicos do Salgueiro 'Imagens poéticas do meu sertão' (Poetic images of my wilderness) shows the importance of the wilderness in the serial literature - photo: Nelson Perez / Riotur

The last car of samba school Acadêmicos do Salgueiro 'The Coronation' celebrates the north-eastern poetry and folklore - photo: Nelson Perez / Riotur

Musa parades with Acadêmicos do Salgueiro during the second day of carnival in Rio - photo: Antonio Scorza / AFP

The group of baianas of samba school Acadêmicos do Salgueiro represented the Maria Bonita, the wife of Lampião, known as 'a rainha do cangaço' (the Queen of the highwaymen) - photo: Christophe Simon / AFP

Muse of Acadêmicos do Salgueiro - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

With her inseparable tambourine, the queen of 'Furious', Viviane Araújo in the parade of Acadêmicos do Salgueiro - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

Muse of Acadêmicos do Salgueiro, Valesca Popozuda paraded as 'demoness' highlighting the float - photo: Felipe Dana / AP

'Devils' dance on the float of Acadêmicos do Salgueiro - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

Members Acadêmicos do Salgueiro represent the gang of Lampiâo (Lantern) - photo: Ricardo Moraes / Reuters

Muse of Acadêmicos do Salgueiro, Valesca Popozuda paraded as 'demoness' highlighting the float - photo: Christophe Simon/AFP

This was the first lot. In the next article the last three samba school of Rio. After that carnival 2012 is over and finally the serious part of the year can begin. In Brazil nothing is accomplished before carnival is over.

2012 Carnival Parades in Rio de Janeiro – 02

Ângela Bismarchi pictured a medieval warrior in the parade of Mocidade Independente - photo: Alexandre Durão/ G1

The last four samba schools of the first day in Rio were, in order, Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel, Porto da Pedra, Beija-Flor de Nilópolis and Unidos de Vila Isabel.

Decorated float 'Ainda vivemos em guerra, porém sonhamos com paz' (We are still at war, but we dream of peace). The last great work of Portinari were the paintings 'War and Peace' - photo: Christophe Simon / AFP

There were two very specials in this group of four. Beija-Flor, the 2011 champion, attempted to win its 13th title, as the school invested in the theme “São Luís, o poema encantado do Maranhão” (São Luis, the enchanted poem of Maranhão), about the capital of the federal state of Maranhão.

Member of Mocidade showed much sympathy in the parade - photo: Christophe Simon / AFP

And with the responsibility to close the first night of the parades, Vila Isabel put the entire audience to dance to the sound of drums with the theme “Você semba lá… que eu sambo cá – o canto livre de Angola” (You semba there … I sambo here – the free song of Angola), written by carnival enthusiast Rosa Magalhães. The blue and white showed in the Sambódromo the cultural ties between Brazil and the African country.
Here we go.

Mulatas of Mocidade danced the samba in Sapucaí - photo: Carolina Lauriano/G1

4th – Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel
Instead of silk and sprays, brushes and crayons. In this year’s carnival samba school Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel created colourful costumes and allegories painted by hand to tell the story ‘Por Ti, Portinari. Rompendo a tela, a realidade’ (For You, Portinari. Breaking the screen, the reality), of carnivalesque Alexandre Louzada. The inspiration came from the artist’s works.

Members of Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel danced the samba on top of a allegoric float - photo: Sergio Moraes/Reuters

The paintings in crayons were mixed with crystals, feathers and sequins, giving effect to the craftsmanship and detail of Mocidade’s carnival. Alexandre Louzada said that many panels of the painter Cândido Portinari were made with crayons, less toxic than paint, so he wanted to make this reference in the clothes of the 3,500 dancers and the drums group of the masters Bereco and Dudu.

Antônia Fontenelle, Queen of the drums of Mocidade, before the parade started. She said she wants to leave the Avenue with a sense of accomplishment - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

The “grand finale” is the panel on “Guerra e Paz” (War and Peace), considered the masterpiece of the artist, who was present in the last float. The fourth school which paraded on Sunday (19 Febr.), samba school Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel took eight floats, three tripods and 30 dancing groups to the avenue.

Mocidade Independente de Padre brought colourful costumes to tell the story of Portinari - photo: Serio Moraes / Reuters

Float of Mocidade recalled the coffee pickers, emblematic characters in the paintings of Portinari - photo: Serio Moraes / Reuters

Member of Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel samba in the Sapucaí- photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

Outstanding allegoric float of Mocidade - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

Member of Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel samba in the Sapucaí- photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

Members of Mocidade danced the samba on top of a float during the parade in Sapucaí - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

One of the highlights of Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

The fifth float of Mocidadepictured the exodus from the sertanejo (backlands) - photo: Alexandre Durão/ G1

Mocidade brought handpainted colorful costumes to tell the story 'Por Ti, Portinari. Rompendo a tela, a realidade' (For You, Portinari. Breaking the screen, the reality) - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito / G1

Antônia Fontenelle, Queen of the drums, in front of the instrumentalists - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

5th – Porto da Pedra
In 2011 Porto da Pedra dared to take one of its members trapped in a gas balloon to Sapucaí, in the carnival this year, the samba school exuded the sweet smell of yoghurt in the Avenue. The school from São Gonçalo made sure that an exhilarating and delightful parade showed the benefits of yogurt to mankind. In its attempt to achieve the (still a dream) title, Porto da Pedra bet on the theme “Da seiva materna ao equilíbrio da vida” (From maternal sap to the balance in life), developed by carnivalesque James Cesario.

Decorated float 'Iguarias do Imperador Chinês' (Delicacies of the Chinese Emperor) - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

The school travelled along derivatives such as cheese until reaching yogurt to show how the product won the civilization of China to Europe: “Yogurt is the greatest symbol of health, joy and vitality, synonymous with our carnival. The samba schools main intention of this parade is: seducing Sapucaí with a plot about yogurt and leave everyone with a watering mouth”.

Muses of samba school Porto da Pedra - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

For the second year ahead of the drummers of Master Thiago Diogo, the queen of drums, the actress Ellen Roche, visualised the “richness of milk”. After winning the eighth place in the carnival session of 2011, Porto da Pedra was the fifth school to parade on Sunday (19 Febr.), and took seven floats, 3,800 dancers divided in 33 groups to the avenue. The couple of master of ceremonies and standard-bearer Fabricio Pirez and Cristiane Caldas completed the parade.

Fabiane Rodrigues, was oneof the highlights of a float of Porto da Pedra - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

Dancing with Porto da Pedra - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

Ellen Roche, queen of the drums of Porto da Pedra during the parade in Sapucaí - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

One of the highlights of samba school Porto da Pedra - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

Dancer of samba school Porto da Pedra during the parade- photo: Antonio Scorza / AFP

Members of the dancing group 'Ritos Tribais' (Tribal Rites), of samba school Porto da Pedra - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

Dancers baianas of Porto da Pedra - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

Fabiane Rodrigues, was the attraction of an allegoric float of Porto da Pedra - photo: Felipe Dana / AP

Solange Gomes, queen of the samba school Porto da Pedra - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

Solange Gomes, queen of samba school Porto da Pedra - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

Ellen Roche, queen of the drums of Porto da Pedra, poses as a tigress - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

One of the highlights on the ground of samba school Porto da Pedra - photo: Nacho Doce / Reuters

Parade of samba school Porto da Pedra in the Avenue - photo: Vanderlei Almeida / AFP

Ellen Roche, Queen of the drums, with her drummers in the parade of Porto da Pedra - photo: Antonio Scorza / AFP

Allegoric float of Porto da Pedra - photo: Antonio Scorza / AFP

 6th – Beija-Flor de Nilópolis
Full of legends, beliefs and mysticism, samba school Beija-Flor de Nilópolis, of Rio de Janeiro, attempted to achieve the 13th title of the carnival with the theme “São Luís, o poema encantado do Maranhão” (São Luís, the enchanted poem of Maranhão). To tell the story of the capital of Maranhão, the actual champion of Rio spared no efforts and brought to the Avenue about five tons of shells. Linking one section to the other, Beija-Flor de Nilópolis took the public on a tour through the culture of Maranhão.

Front detail of a float with the sombre theme of Beija-Flor - photo: Antonio Scorza / AFP

African culture was much present in this parade. To develop the plot, the carnival committee of the samba school went to São Luís do Maranhão. It was during one of these visits, that the committee realized the strong influence of African Negros in the city. Therefore, not only the culture but also the religion and folklore as “bumba meu boi” was visualised in the parade.

Selminha Sorriso and Claudinho form the first couple of master of ceremonies and standard-bearer of Beija-Flor - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

The blue and white intended to terminate its show with a moving tribute to carnivalesque Joãosinho Trinta, who died on December 17 last year. About the fantasies of the first couple of master of ceremonies and standard-bearer Selmynha Sorriso and Claudinho, and the Queen of the drums Raíssa Oliveira, the photos speak for themselves. With the voice of Neguinho of Beija-Flor and the drums tuned under the command of Masters Pliny and Rodney, Beija-Flor was the sixth school that went through the Avenue.

Raíssa Oliveira, queen of Beija-Flor de Nilópolis - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

The Queen of Beija-Flor de Nilópolis, Raissa Oliveira - photo: G1

The Beija-Flor group 'Angústia dos grilhões' (Anguish of the chains) visualised the suffering of the slaves who worked in the construction of São Luís - photo: Victor R. Caivano / AP

Beija-Flor brought the storyline about São Luís do Maranhão and honoured Joãosinho Trinta, ex-president of the samba school - photo: Alexandre Durão/ G1

The float 'O inverossímil imaginário ludovicense' (The unbelievable imagination ludovicense) represents the legends of the island - photo: Alexandre Durão/ G1

Dancers of Beija-Flor sing the samba-enredo - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

One of the highlights in the parade of Beija-Flor - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

Members of Beija-Flor dressed as 'sinhazinha do boi' (missy Ox), the farmer's daughter of the Festa do Boi (Feast of the Ox), which represents the European culture - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

Dancers of the group 'Bumba-meu-boi me faz dançar' (Bumba-meu-boi makes me dance) during the parade of Beija-Flor - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

The parade of Beija-Flor represented the popular festivals in São Luís - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

Allegoric float of Beija-Flor in the Carnival in 2012 parade visualised Bumba Meu Boi, a festival typical of São Luís - photo: Antonio Scorza / AFP

Women dance on top of a float of the Beija-Flor titled 'Lamentos de dor no balanço do mar' (Lament of pain on the waves of the sea) - photo: Antonio Scorza / AFP

Detail of the head of the giant snake that composes the front-committee of Beija-Flor. Full of legends, beliefs and mysticism, the samba school Beija-Flor de Nilópolis sought the 13th title of Carnival with the theme 'São Luís, o poema encantado do Maranhão' (São Luís, the enchanted poem of Maranhão) - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

Muse of Beija-Flor invited the public to join in singing the samba-enredo of the school - photo: Christophe Simon / AFP

7th – Unidos de Vila Isabel
Unidos de Vila Isabel showed the cultural links between Brazil and the African country Angola, with the theme “Você Semba Lá… Que Eu Sambo Cá. O Canto Livre de Angola!” (You Semba there … What I Sambo Here. The Free Song of Angola). The musical rhythm came with Angolan slaves: about 4 million Negros were brought from the region. Vila Isabel also brought to the Avenue a wide variety of African prints, which perceived in the fantasies of the 4,000 dancers, and even in decoration of the seven floats.

Muse of Vila Isabel dancing in front of a float - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

Angolan sacred symbol, the baobab, a tree which reaches heights of 5 to 25 meters, came in the form of allegory. It is forbidden to cut this tree, it is very venerable, because it has a lot of utilities, it serves to eat its fruit and leaf, used to store water like a cistern, and when it was war, the tree also served as a refuge.

Member of Vila Isabel visualises the fauna of Africa - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

The colours, incidentally, were one of the strengths of the parade of the blue and white. The parade ended with a tribute to Martinho da Vila, a musician who maintains strong musical links with the country. The photos tell all about the costumes of the queen of the drums Sabrina Sato and the first couple of master of ceremonies and standard-bearer Julinho and Ruth.

Quitéria Chagas, one of the highlights of samba school Vila Isabel - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

Muse of Vila Isabel - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

After parading with X-9 Paulistana in São Paulo, Luize Altenhofen was also the muse of Vila Isabel - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

One of the highlights during the Vila Isabel parade in Rio - photo: Victor R. Caivano / AP

Muse Sabrina Sato danced the samba alongside the percussionists of Vila Isabel - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

Sabrina Sato, Queen of the drums of samba school Vila Isabel - photo: Alexandre Durão/G1

Vila Isabel was the last samba school to join the parade on the first day of the Special Group - photo: Ricardo Moraes / Reuters

Muse of Vila Isabel - photo: Christophe Simon / AFP

Members of samba school Vila Isabel during the parade - photo: Christophe Simon / AFP

One of the highlights of samba school Vila Isabel - photo: Antonio Scorza / AFP

The day was dawning when Vila Isabel closed its parade - photo: Felipe Dana / AP

 That was the first day. Next article the first three of a total of seven samba schools of the second carnival’s day in Rio de Janeiro.

2012 Carnival Parades in Rio de Janeiro – 01

One of the highlights of samba School Renascer de Jacarepaguá during the parade Sapucaí - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

On the first day (Sunday 19 Febr.) of the carnival parades in Rio de Janeiro seven samba schools of the Special Group entered the Marquês de Sapucaí.
Samba school Renascer de Jacarepaguá opened the night with a theme about Brazilian artist Romero Britto. The 2011 champion, Beija-Flor, performed its show as the sixth school in Sapucaí.

A Muse on top of a float of Renascer de Jacarepaguá - photo: Rodrigo Gorosito/G1

After going through a reform, the Marquês de Sapucaí, in Rio de Janeiro, was (almost) ready to receive the samba schools of the Special Group. Seven carnival associations opened the first day of the parade, including Beija-Flor, the 2011 champion. To win its 13th title, the school invested in the theme “São Luís, o poema encantado do Maranhão” (São Luis, the enchanted poem of Maranhão), about the capital of the federal state of Maranhão.

Parades of the Samba Schools in São Paulo – 04

Mulher Pêra. the singer Suéllem Rocha, featured on the float with body paint and the 'smallest carnival fantasy' ever made - photo: Flavio Moraes/G1

As last of the carnival parades the closing of the second day with the ultimate four samba schools. We will see: Águia de Ouro, Unidos de Vila Maria, Gaviões da Fiel and Tom Maior, which is the last school to enter the Sambódromo in São Paulo. After these festivities we have to go to Rio de Janeiro, where the carnival parades start Sunday night.

Águia de Ouro
Since 1976 the inhabitants of Pompeii, a district in western São Paulo, dream to win the first title of the Special Group with the samba school of the community, Águia de Ouro. For 2012 the samba school invited artists to join the school to try to conquer the first place with a parade about music and history.

Carnival revellers visualise 'prisoner' artists repressed during the dictatorship - photo: Raul Zito/G1

“Tropicália da paz e do Amor! O movimento que não acabou” (Tropicália of Peace and Love! The movement is not over) is the name of the plot that resembles the musical and aesthetic movement occurring in the 60s that marked the Brazilian culture.

Parades of the Samba Schools in São Paulo – 03

The float which opened the parade of Dragões da Real, the first school to parade on Saturday (18) - photo: Flavio Morais/G1

A total of 14 samba schools paraded in the carnival festivities in Anhembi in São Paulo. The results of the first seven schools we have seen in my previous two articles. Today the first three samba schools, which paraded Saturday night and Sunday morning. In a following article the last four.

Dancer of Dragões da Real shows her beauty during the parade. In the background the float representing the mothers - photo: Raul Zito / G1

On the second day of the parades Dragões da Real makes its debut in the Special Group. Then next enter, in order, the samba runway Pérola Negra, Mocidade Alegre, Águia de Ouro, Unidos de Vila Maria, Gaviões da Fiel and Tom Maior. The last four, as said,

Parades of the Samba Schools in São Paulo – 02

Andreza Sobrinho, dancer of the samba school Rosas de Ouro. She was elected Queen of the Carnival of São Paulo - photo: Raul Zito/G1

During the first night in São Paulo seven samba schools paraded. In my previous post we read about and saw the pictures of the first four carnival groups.
In this post the other three.

Allegorical float of samba school Rosas de Ouro - photo: Flavio Moraes/G1

Samba school Rosas de Ouro was inspired by Hungary and highlighted that country on the avenue in a fictional story full of knights, kings, princesses and castles.

Parades of the Samba Schools in São Paulo – 01

Solange Gomes, godmother of the drum band of samba school Camisa Verde e Branco - photo: Flavio Moraes/G1

Fourteen schools performed on two nights of Carnival São Paulo, starting Friday night 17 Febr.2012 in the Sambódromo of Anhembi in the north of the capital.

Ellen Cardoso, aka Mulher Moranguinho, Queen of the drum band of Camisa Verde e Branco - photo: Flavio Moraes/G1

Samba school Camisa Verde e Branco, vice-champion of the Access Group in 2011 opened the parades. Império de Casa Verde, X-9 Paulistana, Vai-Vai, Rosas de Ouro, Acadêmicos do Tucuruvi and Mancha Verde followed in this order. The last school entered the Sambódromo between 5am and 6am and finished the parades of the first day.

Painting the Body of a Carnival Model

Body painting is quite the fashion during carnival. With the queens, muses and samba dancers indicating that an absolute minimum of clothing is the best for a parade, body painting is in.
It all started more or less with Viviane Castra in 2009 parading with samba school X-9 Paulistina, who brought the image of the Amazon to São Paulo. With a tapa-sexo (a 2×3 cm piece of tape covering her female genitals) and only body painting, she conquered the carnival world of Brazil.

Viviana Castra in the parade of samba school X-9 Paulistina in 2009 -photo Sebastião Moreira-EFE

Viviane Castro paraded nearly nude only with U.S. President Barack Obama’s portrait on her body, painted on her left thigh, while then Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s face was painted on her right thigh.
Artist Betto Almeida, who says he has, for more than 12 years, been brushing, dripping and spraying paint on some of the most beautiful bodies Brazil’s Carnival has displayed, did Viviane’s paint job.

Children’s Carnival Inaugurates the Sambadrôme in Rio

In blue and green, girls are preparing to enter the parade for the junior samba school Império do Futuro

As I wrote in my previous post, the carnival parades in São Paulo started Friday night. But in the meantime in Rio de Janeiro the carnival parade of the samba schools of the future inaugurated the newly-remodelled Sambadrôme. A fascinating parade of children and youngsters, who guarantee the future of the samba schools.

The princess of the drum band of Golfinhos da Guanabara, Stephany of 6 years, showed that she has the samba in her legs

It were not the famous samba dancers, queens and carnival celebrities that will open the remodelled Marquis de Sapucaí in Rio de Janeiro, the next generation of the carnival schools inaugurated the Sambadrôme, although the reconstruction hasn’t finished yet.