You have finally decided to come to Rio, but do you know what to do? There are inumerous interesting things to do in Rio, like the Corcovado- Christ the Redeemer, Sugar Loaf, and the Ipanema and Copacabana beaches. But what about Samba after carnival is over? Now Carnival in Rio is never over: Read below a recent "invention" within the tourist industry in Rio:
Samba City in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, became one of the most looked after tourist attractions in Rio de Janeiro. It occupies an area of 114.000 sq. meters, built in the port district by the City Hall, at Rua Rivadavia Correa 60, Gamboa, a district neighboring downtown.
Even the choice of its location was carefully planned for the thematic city: The area where the Samba City was built was considered to be a "Sacred Ground" in the beginning of the century, since the Carioca samba was originally born there.
The triangle, which includes the districts of Saúde, Santo Cristo and Gamboa has a great concentration of the City´s popular culture, notably the personalities and entities, linked to the Carioca Carnaval.
The design of Samba City forms a geometrical figure, with factories surrounding the main square. They seem like parts of a group, linking hands, forming a large circle. It is as if the world of the samba were embracing its ancestors, who were around here during the 17th and 18th centuries, bringing the art of African dance and music, to be incorporated today to Brazilian cultural traditions.
The thematic city will transform Samba School activities into a permanent practice. More than a tourist attraction, Samba City has become a production center of genuine Brazilian art.
SOME OF THE NUMBERS OF SAMBA FACTORY
. gates measuring 10m wide by 7.5m high allow the passage of the allegoric floats fully assembled.
. Sewing ateliers, hat fashioning room, adornment room and the workshops for polystyrene and fiber glass modeling are located on the highest floor of 2.700m2
. A cargo elevator services all four stories.
. The 12m high ceiling ( void ) assure that the allegories can be assembled in their real size.
. From an outside sidewalk, the visitor will go through all factories, watching the allegories construction from an 8m high balcony.
PERMANENT CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
There are varied activities during the week at the Samba City.
If you need more infomation, please call the phones: (21) 2213-2503 or (21) 2213-2546 or access their site at www.cidadedosambarj.com.br.
We are sure you will have lot´s of fun visiting this magical world of Samba in Rio.
Belavista Brazil Carnival is a non-commercial blog devoted to wonders of Rio de Janeiro, with a focus to the Brazilian Carnival. Our sole objective is to describe how Carnival in Rio de Janeiro 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
Now we understand the origins and costumes of Mestre Sala and Porta-Bandeira, Master of Ceremonies and Flag Bearer, we will finish to explain some of their main attributions.
The main function of Flag Bearer - porta-bandeira [porta bandayeera] is to present to the crowd, judges and press, the Samba Schools Flag. Every Samba School has a distinctive flag and color, by which their community is represented. Mangueira Samba School for example has as its traditional colors the green and pink. During the parading in the Rio Sambadrome, the Porta-bandeira waves and swirl the banner unfurling it in graceful gestures and reverence, while the Mestre- Sala offers his protection.
For this gesture, the judges will give notes of between 3 and 6 for their presentation and between 2 and 4 for their costumes. The couple do not dance samba but lead with grace and lightness the flag, rapidly spinning around each other in systematic swirls and paces combined with casual and elegant gestures. The Flag-bearer earns points for her lightness, her grace and her noble and presumptuous attitude. Also, during the parade, she kisses the Samba School Flag, in a sign of respect and pride.
The Master of Ceremonies, whilst courting and presenting his flag-bearing partner, protects and exhibits proudly the banner of his samba school. Another attribution of the Mestre-sala is to draw everyone’s attention to `his queen´ and make sure the School Flag attracts photographers´ and media attention. Another interesting aspect of the couple is their samba steps. Unlike other samba dancers, their choreography is refined and delicate, resembling the court dances of France aristocratic palaces. She should “slide” and not dance a true samba, while parading as experts note.
Samba historians say the “Maçu” was the first official Master of Ceremonies In Rio carnival. He learned the dance steps and movements with Hilário Jovino Ferreira, Getúlio Marinho and Teodoro, legendary samba dancers from the past. Another curiosity of samba history is that many of the first Porta-Bandeiras in early days were men. It was only later on that women picked up that post. Other samba historians point Ubaldo from Portela as the first Mestre- Sala.
In modern days carnival, Selminha Sorriso from Beija Flor</b> can be considered as one of the best Flag Bearers ever. She has won for several years the maximum number of points possible during the contest: 10 points.
Below we see the couple from Rocinha Samba School in 2008.
Finally, it is worthwhile noting that in common with the Samba School Drum Queen, both posts confers high status to participants. Young kids in the samba communities strive to reach these posts. This couple is so important in a Samba School that in a parade, there are more than one Mestre-Sala and Porta Bandeira couples. Some schools have 3 couples during one parade.
This is a non-commercial blog devoted to wonders of Rio de Janeiro, with a focus to the Brazilian Carnival. Our sole objective is to describe how Carnival in Rio de Janeiro 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
Today we are going to explain another key element that composes a major samba school in Rio de Janeiro carnival: the Master of Ceremonies & Flag-bearer or “Mestre Sala and Porta-Bandeira” in Portuguese. We will explain their origins, responsibilities, their dance and costumes. In a second post, we will name a few famous couples that became legendary Master of Ceremonies & Flag-bearers at Portela, Mangueira, Beija-flor, and some other major samba schools in Rio.
Master of Ceremonies & Flag-bearer figures in Rio´s carnival have several theories of their origins that go back all the way to Africa and Colonial Brazil. Some researchers say the origins of the pair dance were part of marriage rituals practiced by young African girls and boys, when of the preparation for the marriage disputes. Dancing abilities would be a status index selection criterion. Other theories point to burial rituals in colonial Africa, where colored fragments of cloths would be tied to a wooden mast to identify the tribe whom the dead man came from. Later on, by the 18th century, the slaves started to imitate the elegant dancing balls imported from French courts, made by the Portuguese in Brazil Colony days. Experts say the couples were formally introduced in the Samba parade in Rio de Janeiro by mid 1930´s.
Below we see costume design sketch of a Master of Ceremony used in Rio’s Carnival in 2007.
The origins of the Master of Ceremonies & Flag-bearer also helps to understand better the nature of their costumes. More than any other segment or wing within the a samba school, the couples costumes are obligatorily luxurious and very meticulous. Both members’ costumes are made with lots of silk, plumes and even velvet. Samba historians say that the reason for this type of fabric choice was a strategic one in the early days: Flag-bearers were disputed with pocketknives, and rival school Master of Ceremony´s objective was to to steal or rip the competitors’ flag or post (The legend says knives are unable to rip silk easily). The Master of Ceremonies additionally wear wigs, long socks, handkerchiefs and fans. This exuberant clothing reemphasized their responsibility both to court and protect the Porta Bandeira, as well as impress the crowd.
Tomorrow we will post part II of this post, explaining the couples roles and responsibilities. We will also name a few of the most famous “Mestre-Salas” and “Porta Bandeiras” from the past.
Below we see a picture of a typical sketch of a Flag-bearer in Rio´s Carnival. The carnival dressmakers use these kinds of drawings made by carnival fashion designers as a model for making the real parade costumes.
This is a non-commercial blog devoted to wonders of Rio de Janeiro, with a focus to the Brazilian Carnival. Our sole objective is to describe how Carnival in Rio de Janeiro 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.
We are going start a new series within Belavista Carnival Brazil Blog. Following a suggestion of several friends, we decided to publish a glossary of terms of Brazilian Samba. We believe if our readers understand the meaning of some of the expressions, slang, and concepts of the Brazilian samba, the carnival experience can be much more enriching and exciting.
A few posts ago, we explained the function and attributes of the samba schools Drum Queens, or “ Rainha de Bateria”, who has a very strategic role in marketing the samba school parade. Today we will explain the function of the most important flank within any Samba School in Rio: the “ Baianas” wing. Below we see the picture of a typical Baiana from the Portela Samba School in 2008.
Many of the experts in Samba agrees that the Baianas, a “group of elderly ladies the dance in circles in the parade”, has its roots in the “aunts” of early 20th century Rio de Janeiro. These “aunts” came from the State of Bahia and came to Rio de Janeiro to live neighborhoods like Cidade Nova, Catumbi, Gamboa, and Santo Cristo. They would host and gather musicians in a “ sarau” – a cultural and musical event, in which people reunite to express themselves artistically. These old ladies would offer drinks and tasteful foods to composers and musicians. This magical environment would then naturally create the conditions for the development of the first samba rhythms. These old ladies would be much respected for their spiritual knowledge. These ladies would probably be descendants from African tribes like the Nagô, Ioruba, Fula, Mina and Haussá.
The baianas wings in the modern samba schools incorporated the soul of these legendary aunts or “tias”, representing the female power within the samba world. Due to their spiritual authority, generally baianas are older, experienced women. They also have another distinguishing characteristic, which are their traditional marking costumes. Baianas wear multi-layered full “balloon” dresses, lace-trimmed blouses, and stiffened petticoats in addition to thick necklaces, ear-rings, metal armbands. Because of their age, they normally use low sandals.
Another emblematic particularity of the baianas wing is the way they samba. Unlike any another wing or section within the samba school, they dance in spins, rotating their dresses in order to create a unique visual effect. The baianas wing also rehearses to synchronize their spiral movements. One of the most magical moments in all samba parade is exactly when a ll of the components of the baianas wing simultaneously swirl in a coordinated choreography. This breathtaking climax is closely looked by everyone involved in the parade. Next time in Rio´s Sambadrome, don´t miss the opportunity to participate in the ultimate parade highlight.
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.
Last post we described the function of the glittering Drum Queens, in the Brazilian Carnival. We tried to explain her importance within the Samba school and the energy she must inspire during the parade.
But many foreigners would always ask me how these muses are chosen? What are the criteria they have to go through? Who decides each year, who would be the Drum Queen for each samba school? Is there any competition for this position?
First, let´s talk about the attributes a Drum Queen must present. She is generally young (between 18-45), and very physical. This is so, since she needs to have all the energy to dance during the rehearsals and the parade itself. Apart from being young and physical, she also has to be very attractive. This criterion is especially important, since she will be representing the school in several events. Drum Queens are invited to VIP parties and TV shows, where they are frequently interviewed. With a Samba School t-shirt, or with their colors, she will be photographed all year long. All of this exposure adds popularity and glamour to the final show of the samba school during the carnival parade. The next quality for a Drum Queen is probably the most decisive one. Charisma. A Drum Queen should be extremely charismatic, being able to drive empathy for the samba school audience, and also within the school. She should be very popular, so that drummers and percussionists maintain their enthusiasm and pride about their show and school.
Juliana Paes, a famous TV actress in Brazil is a Drum Queen for Viradouro Samba School, shown below at the picture. She surely has all qualities and attributes, and is notorious for her sympathy and grace.
So, to recap, a drum queen should be young, physical, beautiful, graceful and charismatic. She would also add a few points to herself if she would know how to dance some samba. ( Although there were many first timers that didn’t dance samba until their very first show. )
Now we know the main attributes a Drum Queen should present, let´s explain how they are chosen. Samba Schools in Brazil have power structure similar to a corporation, in the sense they have a president, directors, support staff, etc. At the end of each carnival, the board of directors together with the president, start planning for this position for next year. If a Drum Queen "defended" the samba school colors with energy, empathy, and focus, and if she somehow met expectations, she may be qualified to repeat the parade next year. But all of this is very sensitive and subjective. As we explained in the last post, since this position has a high visibility, and there are only 12 spots (considering the "first league), we can imagine how serious this dispute may turn out. People connected to the Samba Schools are always trying to influence the president and the board. Although, the Drum Queen is not paid by the school for the post, there is a lot of interest in the position.
To be a celebrity sometimes helps. This year we saw Natália Guimarães, last year Miss Brazil, become the Drum Queen for Vila Isabel Samba School in Rio de Janeiro. Prior to this carnival, she had never paraded in a major samba school. As soon as she was officially invited (see below during the rehearsals and during the parade this year, at the Sambadrome), she drove a lot of attention from the media.
After the decision is made, the Samba School throws a "crowning party", where the Samba school presents the muse to press, to the drum director and samba school components. She then pledges her love and commitment to the school flag. Her ruling period starts and is valid at least for one year.
Further, we will elect the most vibrant and glossy Drum Queens for the Carnival in Rio in 2008.
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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