Hi all, This Friday afternoon I’ll be meeting several friends and friend of friends to watch one of Rio’s most popular blocos (Carnival street parades), As Carmelitas. Although somewhere around 400 blocos now perform during Rio’s Carnaval, As Carmelitas has been a favorite since its inception back in 1990. I think there are several reasons […]

Hi everyone! Yes, I’m back after a hiatus. Really, I had to return, since Carnaval 2014 is almost here! Officially, Carnaval (I will stick with the Portuguese spelling) this year will be March 1-4, in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday. But Carnaval really begins long before. [For those of you into the arcane: […]

Hi all, While I have been distracted this week with other things (like working), Carnival has kicked in. Blocos (the street parties which characterize Carnaval here in Rio) have already begun. Actually, as Carmelitas, which I attended last year, is going on in Santa Teresa as I write this. Another favorite, which I attended last […]

Hi all, As promised, here is video from the bloco das Carmelitas held this weekend in Santa Teresa. It’s a bit long, but I got great close-up footage of the batteria (the drum and percussion corps) and decided to leave much of it in so you can get a real feel for what it is […]

Carnaval 2010 is now in full swing, and that means a steady string of blocos, street party parades. They are held throughout Rio, and people travel across town to attend the best ones. In a bloco, a specially outfitted truck (a trio eletrico) creeps down the street. Spectators line both sides of the street and […]