Carnival's Grande Finale

Today, terça-feira gorda (Fat Tuesday) is officially the big finale for Carnival but true to Brazilian style, the party won’t be ending when it should. Blocos (carnival street bands) will be parading in various areas of the city until next Sunday.

Here are some options for prolonging the carnival festivities: 

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Banda de Ipanema. For over 40 years this group has been flooding the streets of Ipanema with a stream of creatively costumed revelers. The Banda is known for extravagant costumes and a gay-friendly atmosphere. Gathering: 3pm in Praça General Osório. Parades along Avenida Viera Souto (Ipanema beach)

Rio

Maracatu. It’s not all samba here in

Rio

. This group brings maracatu, a traditional drumming and dance form from Pernambuco state in

Northeastern Brazil

, to Ipanema beach. Gathering: 3pm in Arpoador, by the big rock point at the end of Ipanema beach. 

The

Rio

Branco parade. This is the popular, non-commercial, less glittery version of the famous Sapucaí version of carnival. Blocos from

Rio

’s suburbs complete with scantily clad dancers atop floats make their way down the canyon of the major downtown Avenida Rio Branco. The parade starts around 7pm at Avenida Rio Branco and Avenida Presidente Vargas and makes its way down in the direction of Cinelândia square. The last two blocos –Bafo da Onça and Cacique de Ramos- are the most famous and attract thousands of participants and viewers. Parade ends somewhere around 1am.

Vem ni me que Sou Facinha. This bloco, whose name means “come to me, I’m easy”, will play traditional marchinhas and samba tunes in Ipanema’s Praça General Osório. Gathering: 5pm at Rua Prudente de Moraes, #10. 

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Me Beija que Sou Cineasta. It’s important to understand the name of this bloco: “kiss me, I’m a filmmaker” because participants will be given color-coded bracelets depending on kissing preference: blue for those who kiss only men, red for kissing only women, green for both sexes and black if you kiss anything that breathes! This bloco’s merrymaking also includes a dip in the fountain. Gathering: 8am in Baixo Gávea (the square near the Jockey Club).

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Voltar pra Quê? Parade through the streets near Cinelândia (downtown) with this traditional bloco whose name means “why go back?”. Gathering: 8pm on Rua Alvaro Alvim, at the famous “Beco da Cirrose” (“cirrhosis corner”). 

Friday, February 8, 2008

Só Tamborims. This band consists of only tamborims (a small, tambourine-like instrument which creates quite a loud sound when hit with a plastic stick). Gathering: 9pm at the Travessa Mosqueria, at the corner of Avenida Mem de Sá (in Lapa).

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Bafafá. This traditional bloco meets at 5pm at Posto Nove (lifeguard post 9) on Ipanema beach. 

Mulheres do

Chico

. Meets at 5pm in the Praça Antero de Quental (in Leblon).

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Monobloco. Hundreds of drummers and percussionists attracts even more revelers with their lively, percussive versions of popular Brazilian songs. Gathering: 9am in front of Hotel Sofitel, Posto 6, on the Avenida Atlântica (along Copacabana beach).
 
Barangal. While the name means “ugly woman”, this bloco attracts folks of all types and is a great option to end your carnival with a bang. Gathering: 4pm at Posto Nove (lifeguard post 9) on Ipanema beach.

For more events in Rio de Janeiro check out our calendar of events.

Comments

[p90x]

The cost for P90X is about three months of a paid gym membership but you get to keep the program forever,
P90x . You can try many of the online sites, but it will be the same as buying from the company or a Beachbody Coach. Make sure you are getting original DVD's. People are selling copies all over. The problem is how long will they last, P90x workout ,and you truly need the exercise and nutrition guide to even follow the program. You can go to any site or you can go and click on products. P90x dvd You can order directly from the site. You love a challenge,insanity and you don’t mind working out on a pool of your own sweat, you might just be crazy enough for the Insanity Workout. The extreme total body conditioning program that delivers mind blowing results in record time,Insanity DVD.