Last Saturday, Shayene Cesário and Charlene Costa, accompanied by the Momo King visited Unidos da Tijuca Samba School rehearsal. It was a vibrant samba rehearsal, with many tourists, local community members and samba dancers mingling in full harmony. The rehearsal started at 11:00 PM, and everybody was anxious to see in live the presence of the Official Carnival Princesses , eagerly expected. The rehearsal also had the marking presence of Rogerinho , Unidos da Tijuca Master -of- Ceremony and Flag-Bearer Lucinha Nobre, the samba school First Couple.
The 2009 Rio Carnival Princesses and Momo King Milton Rodrigues da Silva Junior arrived at the samba rehearsal at 11:30 PM and remained at the samba school´s V.I.P. lounge, where they talked to Unidos da Tijuca directors and community. Marketing manager Fabiana Amorim helped to host the committee and led them through the samba court, presenting the President and other samba school celebrities.
Shayene Cesário, who was elected by RIO TUR as Rio de Janeiro Official Carnival Princess, was wearing a beautiful silver design dress and tall acrylic high heels. Charlene Costa, second Rio Carnival Princess was wearing a bright two piece samba outfit that accentuated her sensual curves. Both of them where wearing their Official Carnival Princess Tiaras. The samba rehearsal also had the important presence of Porto da Pedra Samba School, who was represented by their fantastic team of samba dancers.
Shortly after midnight, finally both Rio Carnival Princesses and Momo King headed to the Samba Court with the samba crowd in full expectation. It was the samba rehearsal apogee. Having the traditional Drum Section called “Candência Pura” energizing their movements, Shayene and Charlene showed why they deserved to be called Official Rio Carnival Princesses, involving locals with charm and grace.
See below Rio 2009 Carnival Princess dancing at the Unidos da Tijuca samba rehearsal.
Unidos da Tijuca elite samba dancers joined in to form a theatrical experience. Unidos da Tijuca court was complete, mesmerized in full samba dance limelight.
Unidos da Tijuca Samba School rehearsals every Saturday at “Clube dos Portuários”. Address: Avenida Francisco Bicalho, 47, Santo Cristo. Don´t miss next samba rehearsal December 6th.
Rio de Janeiro already has its new Official Carnival Queen. The Rio tourism government body RIOTUR promoted last September the “2009 Rio de Janeiro Carnival Queen and King Contest” at the Samba City in Rio. In total, there were 12 beautiful Brazilian Beauties, along with 12 heavy-weight King candidates… The Carnival “King” was also elected during the same event. The King in the Brazilian Carnival has a special title. He is called “Rei Momo”- Momo King, and his tradition goes back to the Brazilian Carnival Culture several years. Jéssica Maria de Freitas , 24 years old student, was the great winner of this warm and sensual night!
The contest started with the individual presentation of the 2009 Carnival Queen candidates. They were wearing tiny string golden bikinis and were cheered up by the Samba Show group and their personal fans from many samba schools. The candidates were judged on several criteria, including sympathy, beauty, carnival spirit, samba dance routines and outgoing personality. The jury committee was formed by notable personalities of the Brazilian Carnival, like Carlinhos de Jesus choreographer, journalist Sidney Rezende and Flag Bearer from Beija-Flor Selminha Sorriso. The Brazilian Beauties dances were elaborated by Unidos da Tijuca Flag Bearer Lucinha Nobre, who is the official choreographer of the contest. The Carnival Queen candidates made a second presentation through the runway, this time with full carnival costumes and were interviewed by contest host man, Jorge Perlingeiro.
After much expectation and suspense, the samba fans that crowded the Samba City finally discovered who would help to promote Rio de Janeiro 2009 Carnival, as its formal Queen. Jessica Freitas and the Momo King Milton Rodrigues da Silva Junior were crowned by RIOTUR Operations Director, Bruno Mattos. Shayene Cesário Vieira and Charlene Valnice da Costa, earned respectively second and third place, and became Rio 2009 Carnival Princesses. They also earned prizes ranging from US$ 6.000 to US$ 10.000.
Below and above, we see pictures from Diego Mendes, Henrique Mattos and Alexandre Brum, from O DIA Agency.
Wondering what really a Rio de Janeiro Carnival Queen and King does? This contest sponsored by the Rio de Janeiro City, is in reality a tradition and at the same time, a marketing event. Rio de Janeiro Carnival is the most magical carnival in the world, and needs constant promotional efforts. At their posts, the newly elected Queens, Princesses and the King visit the most important Carnival Balls, the Sambadrome Parade and take part of the official handling of the city keys ceremony with Rio ´s Mayor. In this event, the Mayor opens the city´s door to the Carnival festivity. They work non-stop from September through the end of the Carnival, in February, highlighting the Carnival affairs.
Next time in Rio, try to visit the Samba City or one of the many samba rehearsals in town!
Please see below the profile of the Brazilian Beauties of 2009 Rio de Janeiro Carnival Queen contestants:
1- Natália dos Santos Norber
Age: 20 years
Height: 1,65 cm
Size: 38
Profession: Dancer and Student
Samba School: all
2 - Lívia Silva Moura
Age: 19 years
Height: 1,67 cm
Size: 38
Profession: Student
Samba School: Mangueira
3 - Luciana Conceição da Silva
Age: 23 years
Height: 1,61 cm
Size: 38
Profession: Dancer
Samba School: All
4 - Luana Cristina Herdy Jesus
Age: 26 years
Height: 1,65
Size: 38
Profession: Ballerina
Samba School: Salgueiro
5 - Shayene CesárioVieira - 2009 Rio de Janeiro Carnival 1st Princess
Age: 23 years
Height: 1,75 cm
Size: 42
Profession: Lawyer
Samba School: Estácio de Sá
6 - Cynthia Jaciara Paixão de Oliveira
Age: 23 years
Height: 1,75 cm
Size: 40
Profession: Student
Samba School: Salgueiro
7- Michele Cristina Soares Pereira dos Santos
Age: 25 years
Height: 1,70 cm
Size: 38
Profession: Ballerina
Samba School: Portela
8 - Clara Cristina Paixão de Oliveira
Age: 25 years
Height: 1,70 cm
Size: 38
Profession: Nurse
Samba School: Beija-Flor
9 - Jéssica Maia de Freitas – Official 2009 Rio de Janeiro Carnival Queen
Age: 25 years
Height: : 1,70 cm
Size: 40
Profession: Student
Samba School: Loves all of them!
10 - Érica Pereira Monteiro
Age: 20 years
Height: 1,62 cm
Size: 36
Profession: Dancer and Student
Samba School: União da Ilha
11 - Charlene Valnice da Costa – 2009 Rio de Janeiro Carnival 2nd Princess
Age: 25 years
Height: 1,70 cm
Size: 38
Profession: teacher and dancer
Samba School: Beija-Flor
12 - Danielle Batista de Brito
Age: 23 years
Height: 1,67 cm
Size: 38
Profession: Student
Samba School: Todas
Unidos da Tijuca Samba School is already in the “full power rehearsal “mode, for the 2009 Rio de Janeiro Carnival. The traditional Samba School from the Tijuca district was founded in 1931 by Bento Vasconcelos, Leandro Chagas, and Alcides de Moraes and is Brazil´s third oldest major Samba School. The school that has as its main colors the gold yellow and the blue, is practicing for the 2009 Rio de Janeiro Samba parade, and will have the space odyssey as its carnival theme. The official title for Unidos da Tijuca Carnival Parade Theme for 2009 will be “ Uma odisséia sobre o espaço” or “ One Space Odyssey”, having Luis Carlos Bruno as the schools Carnival Art Director.
The traditional samba school already chose its samba theme lyrics, composed by Julio Alves and Totonho, which describes a possible intersection between moon, stars, comets and the magical journey of carnival. The beauty and joy of Tijuca´s Samba School is reflected into space and the infinity, turning possible this imaginary voyage. Please read below the Samba lyrics.
2009 Unidos da Tijuca Samba Lyrics: Space Odyssey
“ Dourado é o sol a clarear
No azul do céu, estende o véu, isso é Tijuca
Chegou, na cauda do cometa, o pavão
E a minha estrela foi buscar na imensidão
Cruzou o céu no limiar do infinito
O meu Borel visto de cima é mais bonito
Eu vou alçar ao espaço
Cavaleiro alado a desvendar
Além das estrelas o monte de Zeus
Horizonte de meu Deus, Oxalá
Vai Tijuca, me faz delirar
A essência vem de lá
Da ciência à navegação
Luar que embala meu sonhos
Luar de qualquer estação
Eu vi brilhar, em seu olhar, a devoção
A lenda do guerreiro e o dragão
O despertar da fantasia
Vi também a criança em seu carrossel
De heróis das estrelas, um céu
De mistérios e magia
Na tela, tantas jornadas pelos astros
Quem dera poder viver em pleno espaço
Vejo em minha lente a imagem sideral
Viagem do meu Carnaval
A nave vai pousar
E conquistar seu coração
O dia vai chegar
Quando brilhar nossa constelação”
Unidos da Tijuca is rehearsing for the 2009 carnival parade at the “Clube dos Portuários”. The club is very large and is conveniently located closed to the Rio Bus Station. Everyone is invited to visit the rehearsals which happen every Saturday from October 2008 to the beginning of the 2009 Rio Carnival. The official date for the 2009 Rio de Janeiro Carnival is February 21st through 24th. The Unidos da Tijuca Samba School rehearsal starts generally at 11:00 PM, every Saturday and ends at 5:00 AM. The samba rehearsal is an excellent way to start getting acquainted with the Brazilian Carnival. At the rehearsals, you can listen the impressive power of the drum section, with more than 40 percussionists.
You will also be able to watch the beautiful choreography of the samba school flag bearer and mater of ceremony, swiftly dancing through the samba court, presenting the school´s flag and tradition. Another interesting activity is the samba dance itself, performed by community dancers. During these dry runs, community members and invitees take the opportunity to practice the samba routine steps. Finally, all members at the rehearsal practice the singing of the samba parade theme lyrics, so everyone is in tune with the official interpreter and drum section. Tickets are sold at the entrance, and admittance price is charged at R$ 10,00 - R$ 20,00. Please see below map to the Tijuca´s rehearsal facilities: The address for UNIDOS DA TIJUCA`S SAMBA REHEARSAL is:
Quadra: Clube dos Portuários – Av. Francisco Bicalho, 47 – Santo Cristo. The best way to there is to get a taxi from your place. It should not be more than R$ 30,00-45,00. Surely, this location is the closest from all samba schools rehearsals.
So don´t miss this great opportunity to join the true Rio de Janeiro samba world. Visit Unidos da Tijuca samba´s practice sessions. We are sure you will have loads of fun. Carnival in Rio is magical cultural and healthy. Visit Rio, visit Brazil!
Carnival in São Paulo? I bet you have never heard of this! Yes, there is carnival in the industrial city of São Paulo. Most of foreigners and even some Brazilians are not aware that this city also offers a beautiful and lively Carnival.
São Paulo followed Rio de Janeiro and decided in 1991 to inaugurate a " Sambadrome", which is an open air facility especially created for the samba schools parade. The design of the Sambadrome was styled by the worldwide acclaimed architect Oscar Niemeyer.
The city, famous for being the financial and economic powerhouse of Brazil, also has a league that helps organize the samba schools parade and contest. This association is called LIGA, and has its own rules similar to the Rio league.
The samba schools are divided into two groups, being the " Special Group" the elite of São Paulo carnival, and the "Access Group" that would represent the second Tier. The Special Group is composed of 14 samba schools, while the Access Group has eight members. The parade in São Paulo is held in three days, Friday through Sunday during carnival days. The Special Groups parades in the first two days and the Access Group parades Sunday.
Above, a spetacular view of the Rosas de Ouro Samba School in São Paulo, 2008
Below we posted the final results of the São Paulo samba contest, won this year by " Vai-Vai" samba school, with a minimal advantage. It was its 13th Samba contest title won by Vai-Vai, which has its roots in the traditional neighborhood of São Paulo called Bixiga. "Mocidade" samba school stayed in the second place, due to tie-breaking criterion.
Official Position - Name of Samba School - Total Number of Points - São Paulo 2008
1º Vai-Vai 90,00
2º Mocidade 90,00
3º Vila Maria 89,75
4º Rosas de Ouro 89,75
5º Tom Maior 89,00
6º X-9 Paulistana 88,75
7º Mancha Verde 88,50
8º Nenê de Vila Matilde 88,50
9º Império de Casa Verde 88,25
10º Pérola Negra 87,50
11º Gaviões da Fiel 87,50
12º Tucuruvi 87,25
13º Águia de Ouro 87,00
14º Camisa Verde e Branco 86,00
So next time when somebody asks about Brazil, don´t be shy to show your Latin knowledge, affirming there is also a very rich carnival in São Paulo.
Above, an impressive shot taken by Marcelo Justo of a colorful "baiana" of Casa Verde samba school.
This is a non-commercial blog devoted to wonders of Rio de Janeiro, with a focus in Brazilian Carnival. Our sole objective is to describe how Carnival in Brazil is magically created, its artists, dancers and musicians that make up the world’s largest show. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
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