Pangea: Travel Registry

Carnival in Rio is not just about the parade, there is SO much more…

Carnival street bands play music in the streets, revelers joining in, drinking and dancing away. All you have to do is to turn up and join in. It is all free.

Below, please find a list with a selection of the best Rio Carnival Street Bands, their 2009 Carnival route and schedule.

There are many more bands and processions besides the ones that we have listed – approximately 300 bands are expected to take to the streets at the up-coming Carnival.
The biggest band processions take place in Av. Rio Branco, Downtown (Centro). From Saturday to Tuesday you can see the greatest variety of street bands there, with traditional groups such as Cordão do Bola Preta, Cacique de Ramos, Bafo da Onça, to mention just a few. A visit at the end of the afternoon is always entertaining. This is where the “real” carnival takes place.

ZONA SUL

Banda de Ipanema
City District: IPANEMA
Parade: both Saturdays before Carnival and Shrove Carnival 17:00
Route: Praça General Osório, Ipanema Beach, Leblon

Simpatia é Quase Amor
City District: IPANEMA
Parade: One Saturday before Carnival and Carnival Sunday 17:00
Route: Teixeira de Mello and Vieira Souto - Posto 10 (Country Club)

Imprensa Que Eu Gamo
City District: LARANJEIRAS
Parade: two Saturdays before Carnival 16:00
Route: Mercadinho São José das Artes, Rua Gago Coutinho

Monobloco
City District: COPACABANA
Parade: Sunday after Carnival 9:00 am
Route: along Av. Atlantica

Rancho Flor do Sereno
City District: COPACABANA
Parade: Carnival Monday 18:00
Meeting: Bar Bip-Bip, Rua Almirante Gonçalves 50
Route: Av. Atlântica, along the beach

Suvaco do Cristo
City District: JARDIM BOTÂNICO
Parade: Sunday before Carnival 13:00
Meeting: from noon onwards at Bar Jóia (on the corner of Rua Jardim Botânico and Rua Faro)
Route: Rua Jardim Botânico, Praça Santos Dummont, in front of the Jockey Club

Bloco Que Merda é Essa?!
City District: IPANEMA
Parade: Carnival Sunday 14:00
Meeting: corner of Rua Garcia d’Ávila and Nascimento Silva
Route: Garcia d’Ávila, Vieira Souto to Arpoador

Bip-Bip
City District: COPACABANA
Parade: Carnival Saturday at 00:01am and Shrove Carnival at 11:59pm
Meeting: Bar Bip-Bip, Rua Almirante Gonçalves 50

Esse é o Bom, mas ninguém sabe
City District: COSME VELHO
Parade: Wednesday before Carnival 18:30
Meeting: Quadra dos Guararapes, Ladeira dos Guararapes

SANTA TERESA / DOWNTOWN

Céu na Terra
City District: SANTA TERESA
Parade: Carnival Monday 16:00
Meeting: Rua Dias de Barros, in front of the Bar do Serginho

Bloco das Carmelitas
City District: SANTA TERESA
Parade: Friday before Carnival 18:00 and Tuesday after Carnival 17:00
Meeting place: on the corner of Dias de Barros and Ladeira de Santa Teresa
Route: Dias de Barros, Alte. Alexandrino and Largo do Guimarães

Escravos da Mauá
City District: DOWNTOWN - Praça Mauá
Parade: Thursday before Carnival 19:00
Meeting place: Largo de S. Francisco da Prainha, close to Rua Sacadura Cabral
Route: Rua Sacadura Cabral, Praça Mauá, Av. Rio Branco, Rua Mayrink Veiga to Largo de Santa Rita, Rua do Acre, and back to Praça Mauá

Cordão do Bola Preta
City District: DOWNTOWN - (Cinelândia)
Parade: Carnival Saturday 16:00
Meeting place: Rua Sacadura Crabral, 373
Route: Rua Araújo Porto Alegre, Rua México, Praça Melvin Jones, Av. Nilo Peçanha and Largo da Carioca

DAY BY DAY EVENTS

RIO CARNIVAL 2009

Every Carnival Day

In the evenings – Popular Dances Cinelândia
20.00 Concerts start at Samba Land and in Lapa
23.00 Rio Scala Ball

Friday, February 20th
13.00 Opening Ceremony - the Carnival King (Momo) is crowned by the city mayor and receives the city´s keys
19.00 Children´s Samba Schools Parade

Saturday, February 21st
09.30 Street Band Cordão do Bola Preta (Downtown)
16.00 Banda de Ipanema meets at Praça General Osório, Ipanema
19.00 Official Costume Competition in Hotel Gloria
20.00 Street Band Competition in Av. Rio Branco, Centro (Downtown)
21.00 Parade of the Samba Schools in the Access Group
23.00 The Magic Ball at Copacabana Palace Hotel

Sunday, February 22nd
21.00 Parade of the Samba Schools in the Special Group

Monday, February 23rd
21.00 Parade of the Samba Schools in the Special Group

Tuesday, February 24th
16.00 Banda de Ipanema marches for the last time
21.00 Parade of the Samba Schools in Group “B”
23.00 Gay Costume Ball in Rio Scala

Rio de Janeiro, as the City of Carnival, offers a selection of Carnival balls you really should not miss. You won’t have to spend a fortune to have a great time. Tickets to most balls will cost you around R$30 to R$50 ($15-20) and are available on the door. Exceptions are the two most famous ones in the luxury hotels Copacabana Palace and Gloria. Other great balls are in Rio Scala. Clube dos Caiçaras and the Hard Rock Cafe’s Kid’s Folia also organize animated costume balls for adults and children. There are more theme balls city-wide e.g. balls for singles etc.
Costumes are not mandatory, with the exception of a few balls. Putting on one will help you get in the right mood and will make the night even more special, though. Bear in mind however that Rio is the capital of Carnival and costume standards are very high.
A true Carnival ball features live music and samba rules the floors. The percussion groups are full of vigor and can be just as loud as vast loud-speakers in a night club.

The Magic Ball at Copacabana Palace Hotel
Saturday, February 21st, from 23:00
This legendary ball is not just the high point of the night but also the most famous Carnival ball; the natural choice for glamour and sophistication. Luxury costume or black tie/evening dress is required, and a number of international and local VIPs are always among the guests. All tickets include buffet dinner and free bar.
There are different tickets for the individual dining rooms. All tickets provide access to all ballrooms.
Tickets for the Golden Room include a seat at a table of 6, 10 or 12 people.
Tickets for the Noble Room include a seat at a table of 10 or 12.
Standing tickets do not offer a table seat; however, good weather allowing, there will be tables on the balcony.
Golden Room: from R$1,950.00 (approx. R8800.00)
Noble Room from: R$1,300.00 (approx. R5800.00)
Standing: R$1,000.00 (approx. R4500.00)
Box: R$2,750 per person (approx. R12 400.00)
Venue: Copacabana Palace Hotel, Avenida Atlantica 1702 - Copacabana
Tel: (+55 21) 2545 8790

Official Costume Competition in Hotel Gloria
Saturday, February 21st
This is a very traditional Carnival event in Rio with the best, biggest and most original costumes of the year (mainly the so called destaques). It offers you the chance to see the best costumes of the principal samba schools before the Samba Parade, at close hand. There are also entrants with costumes only made especially for this event.
It is a big night with app. 900 people attending and it takes place in the halls of Hotel Gloria, one of the best and smartest hotels in Rio. The presentation is very theatrical. The huge and dazzling costumes represent historical characters or any chosen theme, according to the imagination of the gentlemen, ladies and drag queens who participate in the event. They compete in 4 categories: the sumptuous, the original, drag queen and soul.
You do not have to wear a costume; you can just go and see the competition.
Venue: Hotel Gloria, Rua do Russel 632 - Gloria
Doors open at 18.30 and the competition starts at 19.00. It finishes at about 22:30.
Admission: R$50.00 - free ticket delivery within the city of Rio
Tickets are on sale at the hotel or at Rua Senador Dantas 117 / Room 2009 - Centro (Downtown) or call and reserve on 2267-1692 / 8804-9484 (Senhora Nilce-only Portuguese spoken).

Ball Masque 2009
Friday, February 27th, 22:00-05:00
Live music taking turns with a DJ and the drummers of Imperatriz, one of the best Rio samba schools. This will be its third year and this time the theme is ‘Moulin Rouge’ .
Dress formal or wear a fancy-dress.
Venue: Hotel Sofitel, Av. Atlântica 4240 / Level E - Copacabana
Admission: R$370.00
Table seat per person: R$500.00
Prices include free buffet and drinks
Tel: (+55 21) 2525-1206 (Alexandra-English spoken 9:00-18:00)

SCALA BALLS

In its 20th year, the Scala nightclub offers thematic dances every night during Carnival, having the grandest indoor carnival parties of the city. The venue is big and very well-known.
Venue: Rio Scala, Avenida Afrânio de Melo Franco 296 - Leblon
Tel: (+55 21)2239-4448 / 2511-4140 (only Portuguese spoken)

You will find standard tickets for most events on the door even on the night, just do not arrive too late.
You are advised to buy tickets for the Gala and the Gay Costume balls 3-5 days in advance. Reserve tables and boxes 3-5 days in advance on the above number.
Table prices per table seating 4 people.
VIP box prices are per person and include unlimited alcoholic drinks (except whiskey) and free buffet with sushi, fruit and snack bar.

Thursday, January 19th
Mangueira Carnival Ball
It is a good opportunity to experience the music and atmosphere of one of the most traditional and well-known samba schools (Mangueira) without having to visit its rehearsal space. The School will have it all - its drummer group, its principal samba dancers and the flag bearer and her escort. It is a true and real samba night; you can dance all night or just watch and enjoy the crowd. This is a traditional event which happens every year.
Admission: R$40.00
VIP box seat: R$160.00
Table: R$300.00

Friday, February 20th
Red and Black Ball
This night celebrates and is dedicated to the world-famous Rio football team, Flamengo, with the red-and-black striped flag. It is one of the most popular nights.
Admission: R$80.00
VIP box seat: R$190.00
Table: R$600.00

Saturday, February 21st
Ball of the Marvelous City
The night celebrates and is dedicated to the city of Rio de Janeiro.
Admission: R$80.00
VIP box seat: R$190.00
Table: R$600.00

Sunday, February 22nd
Gala Ball
This is the biggest ball in the series with some special guests.
Admission: R$40.00
VIP box seat: R$160.00
Table: R$300.00

Monday, February 23rd
Ball of the ´Beer´
A new event in the series. Unlimited and free beer all night. Live music by a Carnival band taking turns with a Rio DJ (Mc Marcinho).
Admission: R$50.00
VIP box seat: R$160.00
Table: R$300.00

Tuesday, February 24th until 7:00 am
Gay Costume Ball
It is probably the most famous night in the series. A truly exotic collection of characters take to the two floors and a grand entrance is de rigueur - the ball is broadcast to the whole of Brazil. A flamboyant crowd with lots of drag queens and their admirers.
It is very popular with all folks not only gay boys and girls.
Admission: R$80.00
VIP box seat: R$200.00
Table: R$700.00