Carnaval in Brazil

[Jan 156]

Rio doesn't seem to be technogeek city when it comes to iPhone apps, but one or two are surfacing that are handy for iAddicts.

Carnaval2012 has the words of all this year's samba-enredos (sambodrome competition songs).

Blocos Rio has the dates and locations of all the local desfiles (parades) for each Rio neighbourhood. Nice if you want to just drop in to a street party. Or avoid them if you don't (as they can disrupt traffic and sleep!)

Not Carnaval as such, but if you need to know which stop in Copa to get which bus, iBRS Copacabana has the info. Hardly state of the art, but who cares.

I hope it's not too off-topic. I notice a lot of visitors carry their iPhones. Not something I recommend in Copa, but travelling light they can sub for a laptop back in the apartment.

[Erectus Indicus]

Thanks Christopherd and Cartman for correcting and clarifying. As for mobile stores, I did get my SIM from TIM using my passport and address, so yes CPF isn't always required.

[Eric Cartman]

Are here :

I think you need a CPF to get hold of tickets at these prices but I am not very sure. Hopefully someone can clarify.

I took a quick look at the other link above, and I didn't see any mention of CPF. Normally in Brazil they always ask for your CPF when you buy things. Largely because the cities all use Notas Fiscais as a means to enforce tax collection, and they try to incentivize individuals (Pessoas Fisicas) to ask for NFs by giving you (the Pessoa Fisica) discounts on your rental / homeowner tax (IPTU) if you show the NFs for things you bought (or something like that).

However, I spoke to the Prefeitura of Rio the other day, and they assured me that giving / asking for a CPF is NOT required by law in order to complete a sale to an individual (Pessoa Fisica). Because a Pessoa Fisica has a right not to self-identify when purchasing something. It is required (CNPJ, company I'd number) for Pessoas Juridicas (legal entities = businesses).

Which is a roundabout way of saying they probably can't require a CPF. Some stores (like mobile stores) require a CPF or try to, but I don't think it's 100% required. And a CPF doesn't prove Brazil residency as you can apply for one on the Receita Federal website and get it without ever setting foot in the country (they require foreign investors to have a CPF).

Then again, what's law and what people demand are 2 different things. Shrug.

[Jan 156]

Are here :

http://liesa.globo.com/2012/por/19-i...principal.html

In Reais.

I think you need a CPF to get hold of tickets at these prices but I am not very sure. Hopefully someone can clarify.

Maybe your link was mis-pasted as it doesn't seem to work. An extra "l" at the end I think. .

Try this one.

http://liesa.globo.com/2012/por/19-i..._principal.htm

[Erectus Indicus]

Are here :

http://liesa.globo.com/2012/por/19-i...principal.html

In Reais.

I think you need a CPF to get hold of tickets at these prices but I am not very sure. Hopefully someone can clarify.

[Erectus Indicus]

# In the weeks leading up to the Carnaval competition you can attend one or more technical rehearsals At the sambodrome completely free. These are not dress rehearsals, but you can enjoy the spirit of the performance among the supporters of that particular dance school.

I tried my first time a week before the parade and since I look local, the security wouldn't let me in till I started talking in English. Tourists get special treatment?

# Attend one or more nights? My own preference is attend one competition night, perform the other competition night, attend the champions parade night the

If you are going to attend only one night, I would suggest the Champion's parade on the following Saturday. I had paid quite a bit of money for Monday night and Saturday night in 2010 then found that tickets were being sold by LIESA for Saturday night cheaper. I still wouldn't have known how to buy one.

For news on the parades and notices :

http://liesa.globo.com/

They announce prices somewhere in the end of November, IIRC but check the Ingressos or the Noticias page on that site for exact information.

[Poucolouco]

We are often able to share info on practicalities like getting tickets, best seats, parties and so on, but I wonder if there is more we can offer to help people get the most from the carnaval competition at sambodrome?

Cris, thanks for the great guide to Carnaval. You provide excellent suggestions to inform and improving one's Carnaval experience. To the first time attendee, the music can be monotonous, exaggerated by the rhythm of the loud percussion. I found that learning the school songs in advance can help to better understand what the crowd is singing, to realize the themes of the parade and enjoy the celebration of Carnaval. The lyrics will all be printed in your program for the Sambodromo but if you familiarize yourself with the songs in advance it is much more fun to be able to sing along with the multitudes in the stadium. The songs and music for all the schools are released on CD early in the fall and are also available on the internet.

[Jan 156]

We are often able to share info on practicalities like getting tickets, best seats, parties and so on, but I wonder if there is more we can offer to help people get the most from the carnaval competition at sambodrome? It's expensive, after all, for many it may be a one-off experience. So you would hope the experience (and memory) will be more than repetitive drumming, people in pretty costumes and floats, and singing a song in a foreign language. Your ticket for one night gives you more than six hours of performance, so if that is all you get you may well be asking yourself well before that, was it all worth it? Did I really get that much from it / like it that much?

These are a few ideas (pick out ones you like) , maybe other fans of RJ carnaval will add others. .

# Have a look at the websites and pick, say, three dance schools. A bit like going to the races or football match. Much more fun if you can root for someone. Have a look at their songs, their colours, their track record.

# An important aspect of each competing school's performance is the theme. This is a story they tell in song and dance, the choice of costumes and floats, while performing. If you get an idea of the story, you can get a feel for one of the judging categories. How well are they conveying the story?

# You wouldn't get the most from a world sports competition if it was the first time you'd seen that sport. Same with the carnaval spirit, and with samba. If you have time, you can whet your appetite (and get a feel of what's behind everything) by dipping your toes. You don't have to learn samba, but you can go along to a samba show put on for tourists at places like Samba City - this is not difficult. You can also visit Samba City to buy a teashirt and maybe get a sneak preview of the floats if you are lucky and can sweet-talk! There is often someone who can talk English if you persist (but bear in mind people are very busy at this time of year getting ready).

# In the weeks leading up to the Carnaval competition you can attend one or more technical rehearsals At the sambodrome completely free. These are not dress rehearsals, but you can enjoy the spirit of the performance among the supporters of that particular dance school.

# The joy of carnaval samba performance is like flicking a switch. Either you get it or you don't. Looking into some of what goes on behind the scenes, experiencing it from the performers' viewpoint, the lyrics of the song, all these can maybe help to prime you I think.

# If you can, you might want to attend a rehearsal party. These are fun nights that celebrate the spirit of a particular dance school and held in their own quadrangle (usually out in the sticks). It might seem like nothing much at the time, but it takes you to the heart of the dance school (very non-touristy, but you can book through a local RJ tour operator if you don't want to venture along on your own. They'll get you there and back and it can make it easier having a few other visitors around).

# Finally read up as much as you can and get all the practicalities sorted out as much as you can, and be prepared. There are over 20, 000 performers on one night, that's not counting spectators, so the organisation is intense and you can hardly imagine the scale of what happens.

#If you manage some or all of these, you will feel more a 'part' of it and possibly enjoy the whole experience much More! The build up will make the stunning reality of the night even more spectacular.

Some other choices.

# Attend one or more nights? My own preference is attend one competition night, perform the other competition night, attend the champions parade night the following weekend (and if you attend more than one night, consider watching from two different sectors. The experience is different!)

# That leads on to: do you want to take part? If you do, all the above applies, plus you have to buy a costume (fantasia) from a school that admits guests. Highly recommended, but adds another string to be arranged!

[Common Sense]

Hey Gents,

I'm preparing for a carnival run in Rio for 2012. I've done carnival in Trinidad so I've got to compare. Anyway, I was looking at some of the posts from 2009 and it was metioned that the termas are closed during carnival. Anyone know if that's been the case for the last two years? Thanks.

[Beach Star]

In case you missed it on OGlobo Television, here is a time-lapse photo coverage of the Brama facility implosion. The complex was razed to make way for the reformation of the Sambodromo as part of the 2016 Olymiad construction.

http://oglobo.globo.com/rio/fotogaleria/2011/14723/

If you really like to watch things blow up, here is the live action at Demolition News:

http://www.demolitionnews.com/2011/0...n-spectacular/

Nothing to do with the Olympics. The expansion of the "sambodromo" has been planned for a cuople of years. Hope it is ready for Carnaval next year!

[Poucolouco]

In case you missed it on OGlobo Television, here is a time-lapse photo coverage of the Brama facility implosion. The complex was razed to make way for the reformation of the Sambodromo as part of the 2016 Olymiad construction.

http://oglobo.globo.com/rio/fotogaleria/2011/14723/

If you really like to watch things blow up, here is the live action at Demolition News:

http://www.demolitionnews.com/2011/0...n-spectacular/

[Jan 156]

Anyone else feels the same about TV Globo's presenters?

Christopher, since you're probably the only other that follows religiously the carnaval parades, what did you think of the schools this year?

Hi Sprite! How's it going!

Follows the Carnaval parade. . . I wouldn't say 'religiously'. But I do find much worthwhile there. And little or none of what is worthwhile, IMHO, is reflected in Globo and their horrifically disinformational commentaries.

I was not able to watch a live feed. I managed to get recorded videos of the whole of Beija-Flor. I suppose I feel an empathy of sorts there as they are the only one I have paraded with, but I will try to source some of the other parades you mention with praise. I liked the Beija-Flor parade and song (as far as one can through the sick eyes of Globo). Partly bias, as I have said, but also it was nice to recognise some people who I had seen or met in the desfile before.

Best regards.

Christopherd

[Bubba Boy]

Have to agree with in regards to the commentary. In general Brazilian commentators are too much, they talk way too much and generally are lacking in knowledge.

I am ignorant in regards to the ins and outs of carnaval, but all the schools are just spectacular IMHO. I can't tell the difference between the last place guys and the first place, they are all fantastic.

[Sprite13]

I wasn't in Rio this year for Carnaval, but was sure watching it both on tv as I have tv globo internacional and online at times on the Globo site. Once again, the parade was awesome, but once again, Paulo Barros, the carnavalesco of Tijuca took things to a whole new level. Tijuca was head and shoulders above all the rest of the teams however, unfortunately, Beija Flor or rather, Beija Globo, won it mainly due to Globo's pushing them to win as they were paying tribute to one of Globo's biggest stars, Roberto Carlos, the great singer. What a pity! Speaking of Tv Globo, having watched the whole parades both nights, I am appaled at their comments, commentaries and how much their presenters talk and when they talk, they keep on saying things that don't make a freaking sense. Instead, they should learn to talk less and let us enjoy the samba, hear the batteria and the overall atmosphere in the sambodromo. Anyone else feels the same about TV Globo's presenters?

Mangueira also had a spectacular show IMO and were worthy of their 2nd spot. Their enredo was the kind that once you hear it, it sticks to your mind and can't get it out and the paradona (big pause) the Mangueira bateria did was the sort of thing that not only gives you goosebumps but also tears as that's how beautiful it was. They officially won my heart as from now they'll be the school of my heart. In the past, enjoyed watching Salgueiro and Tijuca's parades, but this year's enredo by Mangueira was very moving. Salgueiro were unlucky as they went 10 minutes over the alloted time resulting in them getting a hefty penatly. Such a pity as they had a wonderful parade.

Christopher, since you're probably the only other that follows religiously the carnaval parades, what did you think of the schools this year?

[Exec Talent]

I do realise that only a small but dedicated few on here are as passionate about Carnaval as I am, and they probably already have the links. But some others may have attended and want to relive it, or even just get a taster. So here's a couple of links to the winning parade (if you can get it live at the weekend in the champions' parade, so much the better!)

Here are the promotional transmissions (in four parts. Click the drop-down menu 'videos for the other parts)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh1Jf..._order&list=UL

They're not HD (some you may be able to adjust for higher res though).

Here's a shorter clip that does Have ready HD (click the res button just below the screen towards the right)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y66YW...eature=related

Feel the joy. .

Some of us may not share your passion for Carnaval, but we sure are glad you have it.

Your passion for Carnaval is quite endearing. I was sorry to hear you were not here this year. People with passions are what makes life interesting. Hope you are back next year and sharing your Carnaval experiences for many years to come.