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