Belavista Carnival Blog continues its Drum Queen Series. Today, we will talk a little bit about Natalia Guimarães, Drum Queen for Unidos de Vila Isabel Samba Schooll. Natália, who last year had her official debut at the Rio de Janeiro Carnival, was confirmed as the Vila Isabel ´s Drum Queen and went to her 3rd rehearsal last weekend at the samba school court. In an interview, Natalia stated that this year she will have more liberty to support the samba school, since last year she had a tight agenda controlled by the Miss World contest.

She also said the fine tuning with the Drums Section Master is vital.

Vila Isabel´s Drums Master is known as "Mestre Mug", and is famous by his "paradinhas" or, short stops. Two carnival directors , "Carnavalescos" will sign her special costume: Alex de Souza e Paulo Barros. Vila Isabel´s samba parade theme for 2009 will be dedicated Rio de Janeiro´s Municipal Theater, which is celebrating its 100th inauguration anniversary. This parade promises to be a luxurious one, since Rio´s "Theatro Municipal" is a true copy of legendary Paris Opera Theater, but in a smaller scale.


See below picture of Vila Isabel Drum Queen Natalia Guimarães:



Natalia Guimarães Short Biography : Former Miss Universe Brazil. Natalia Guimarães won the title in April 14 2007 beating out over 26 other contestants from states and the Federal District, Brasília. Natalia also won the 2007 Top Model of the World International Pageant. However, she resigned due to her participation in Miss Universe. On May 28, 2007, Natália competed in the 2007 Miss Universe Pageant held in Mexico City, Mexico. She finished as the 1st runner up. The day after the Miss Universe competition, a Mexican television show asked the public who should have won the pageant.

Natália Guimarães won this poll with almost a third of the votes.



Good Luck Natália in your Vila Isabel Samba Parade!


As a reminder, below 2009 Rio Sambadrome Carnival Schedule Parade:


Sunday Rio Carnival – February 22nd, 2009

9:00 PM : Império Serrano Samba School
10:00 PM : Grande Rio Samba School
11:10 PM : Vila Isabel Samba School
00:15 AM: Mocidade Independente Samba School
01:20 AM: Beija-Flor Samba School
02:25 AM: Unidos da Tijuca Samba School

Monday Rio Carnival – February 23nd, 2009

Every queen must be ready to protect its kingdom. Actress and TV host Adriane Galisteu has been for three consecutive years Drum Queen for Unidos da Tijuca Samba School. Even with a tight schedule, she never puts aside her commitment with the traditional samba school. In 2009 Brazil Carnival, Adriane will parade for the 14th time, in Rio de Janeiro. Muse <i>Adriana Galisteu states that parading at the Rio´s Sambadrome is one of her true life pleasures. Unidos da Tijuca muse loves being around the samba school members, and is confident the School will win the Carnival Parade contest. When asked if she has any kind of “ritual” before parading, Adriane Galisteu says she doesn´t have any special one. This true Brazilian beauty though, has her own view of what persona a carnival drum queen should be. Adriane thinks the Carnival Drum Queen should not only attract media and press attention, but be respectful to the samba school components, be sympathetic, love samba and sing the school´s samba parade lyrics. Adriane believes that everyone in Brazil should be a “warrior” when tackling the country´s health and education difficulties. Way to go Adriane!



Above photos <b>de Adriane Galiesteu at the Rio Carnival Rehearsal at Sambadrome

Short Biography:

Adriane Galisteu is a Brazilian actress and TV host. The blond muse was born on April 18, 1973 in São Paulo, has beautiful green eyes and is 1.74 m (5 ft 81⁄2 in) tall. Adriane was TV host for a series of shows, including Brazil MTV, Rede TV!, TV Gazeta, Rede Record, MTV and SBT. She had significant participations include Coisa de Mulher (2005), "Sai de Baixo" .... Caco's Clone (1 episode, 1997), "Xica da Silva" (1996) TV series and "Antônio Alves, Taxista". Adriane Galisteu was the girlfriend of the legendary 3 times F-1 Champion driver Ayrton Senna in 1994.

See photo de Adriane Galiesteu in a fashion editorial:




As a reminder, below 2009 Brazil Sambadrome Carnival Schedule Parade:


Sunday Rio Carnival – February 22nd, 2009

9:00 PM : Império Serrano Samba School
10:00 PM : Grande Rio Samba School
11:10 PM : Vila Isabel Samba School
00:15 AM: Mocidade Independente Samba School
01:20 AM: Beija-Flor Samba School
02:25 AM: Unidos da Tijuca Samba School

Monday Rio Carnival – February 23nd, 2009

9:00 PM : Porto da Pedra Samba School
10:00 PM : Salgueiro Samba School
11:10 PM : Imperatriz Leopoldinense Samba School
00:15 AM: Portela Samba School
01:20 AM: Mangueira Samba School
02:25 AM: Viradouro Samba School