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HOW TO JOIN THE RIO CARNIVAL PARADE
( tips from
previous participants )
Give yourself some nine
months preparation prior to the event.
Some schools require a few days or few
weeks at least prior to the parade. Note
the carnival sked falls in the month of
February.
Secure a list of samba
schools from the nearest Brazilian
consulate or refer to the following
Samba
Schools - Address List.
Be aware of each school's
rehearsal schedule, the frequency and
the location of the school. Some samba
schools rehearse in various favela
districts (slums) which are not
advisable for non-locals or tourists.
Always be accompanied by a local guide.
Never be by yourself.
Samba schools prepare
early or immediately after each carnival
finishes. Others start in July once or
twice a week. Each school specifically
mentions the sked for rehearsals and
training way in advance in preparation
for the next carnival.
Inquire about the package
deals from each school. Oftentimes a
contact with a native Brazilian who
joins the parade will be the easy route
as they can assist you to join without
further delay.
Certain samba schools
will assign last-minute participants at
the tail-end of their parade. You see
them with different costumes not
necessarily in sync with the theme
colors and pageantry of the real samba
students. Others will require specific
costumes you have to provide your
measurements way in advance. Other samba
schools charges Brazilian $200 just for
participation, i.e. you secure your own
costume by buying ready made ones or
designing one for yourself. Rates for
participation varies from school to
school.
Some tourists book
participation with their local travel
agent. Brazilian consulate offers the
list of these travel agents.
Samba schools are judged
on different points. Costumes that fall
easily or floats that malfunction and
ground due to technical problems can be
costly with big points deducted from the
total score.
Groups dancing in unison
to the beat of the samba is another
scorer for the eventual winner. Learn
the samba steps earlier. You do not want
to fidget or freeze while others gyrate
nor you do not want to be a blacksheep. Most
participants know the tune and steps to
make.
Learn how to sing the
theme song. The 60-90 minute parade that
each samba school is allowed has one
theme song. Lyrics are printed in the
programme and participants should sing
with no notes while the parade unfolds
in front of the judges.
Some schools will
schedule your entry to the parade. Be on
time. Preferably dress up in your hotel
instead of doing the preparation with
thousands.
Lights, camera, action.
It is an experience of a lifetime.
Editor's note: The views
and points listed above are those from
some previous participants we met. As
the years go by, the world famous Rio
Carnival transforms to a successful
festival that it is now. You could
provide us your input along with the
above by sending us some tips and
observations. Preferably mention the
year of your participation so we could
learn from different viewpoints from the
previous years. Years may dim, but the
memories of the carnival is etched
forever in our mind. Let us
hear from you.
Thanks for the previous
RIO Carnival participants Terry D.
Rister (from USA), Max, Camille and Lisa
(2005). Also thanks to
Andreas (2005) from Sweden for
giving us some of the aforementioned
comments on their experiences in joining
the parade. Your feedback counts a
lot.
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L to R:
Max, Camille, Terry, Lisa.
Photo courtesy: Terry D. Rister |
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Index •
Rio Carnival •
Rio Helicopter Sightseeing •
Botanical Garden
Sugar Loaf •
Corcovado •
Niteroi •
Ipanema •
Safety in Rio •
Danger in Rio
Fly to Rio •
Intl. Tel. Card, Internet •
Foods & Restaurants •
Busses transportation
Make friends •
Apartment/Flat •
Miscellaneous •
Join the parade •
Distance Chart
Fond memories •
Rio Carnival 2008 •
Venice Carnival 2009 •
Guestbook
Penthouse vacation
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