After about six months living in Rio and hearing the constant drumbeat of a samba school practicing late at night in my hotel neighborhood, Carnival finally arrived. Festivities in Rio last for days and include street parties, Carnival Balls, parades, special events and street bands. The Sambodromo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCpsyoqUP1A) is the main venue – a noisy and splashy display and competition of the samba schools where hundreds of Brazilian merrymakers - clothing optional – walk, dance, sing, play music and strut like peacocks representing each samba school. Carnival Sunday and Monday are the best part, but the Champion’s Parade on Saturday is also worth a look. Besides all the flesh and flash and infectious rhythm, the most lasting image for me was of the huge, 50-foot tanks of “Brahma” beer with large hoses on the sides and adjacent to the venue. Although merely storage tanks, it looked like the beer was getting pumped directly into the Sambodromo filled with wild crowds performing and watching. Definitely an experience to remember!
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Greg - I think you were born to write. It's feels like I'm in Rio experiencing everything with you. I love the description of the "Brahma" tanks.
ReplyDeleteOne day, One day!
Hi Greg, what's your opinion of Batucada? I personally love the heavy percussive nature of it, and I understand it's considered a substyle of samba. I have a few compilations called "Batucada Por Favor." I think it's even found it's way into other genres of music such as rap and hip hop.
ReplyDeleteJon - I like what I have heard of batucada and enjoy the heavy percussion in small doses. I think it may have its origin in Candomble, one of many African religions that migrated to Brazil, especially in the northeast around Bahia.
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