Fat Tuesday in Rio de Janeiro
Fat Tuesday, which falls before Ash Wednesday marking the beginning of Lent, signifies the end of Carnival in Rio de Janeiro.
The Sambódromo is the focal point of the event. The carnival celebration that takes place in the Sambódromo is the most publicized internationally and is considered by some to be a festival for the elite. This grand spectacle is the result of a full year of planning, and many man-hours of sewing and gluing sequins and glitter. Thousands of spectators fill the stands to cheer on the stereotypical “mulatas” samba-ing down the avenue in their revealing costumes. Sadly, what was once a celebration for the populace now involves expensive tickets and corporate-sponsored ringside parties where famous people from the world over eat caviar and sip champagne.
In recent years the traditional street carnival has been experiencing a renaissance in Rio de Janeiro. Many neighborhoods now host small acoustic bands – blocos – playing marchinhas (traditional carnival songs, many from as far back as the 1800s). The musicians are trailed by enthusiastic crowds, dancing and singing along as the vendors weave through them and keep the revelers supplied with beer. Some of the blocos have a theme: clowns on stilts or a water truck which cools the masses. There are even blocos for dogs, children and gringos!
Tonight's festivities feature blocos from all over Rio. This is the free, low-key version of the Sambodromo event. Get there early and you can have a drink and a snack in the street while you engage in some pretty good people watching on the canyon-like Avenida Rio Branco. While the restrictive behavior of Lent should begin on Ash Wednesday (February 21), blocos continue to revel in the streets until Sunday, February 25. For more details check out our calendar of events or click here to find out more about Carnival in Brazil.
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