Yes, yes! Carnival in Rio is arriving in full power mode. More than ever, Brazil´s street parties were revitalized and today most of the young, beautiful and tanned remain at the wonder city to take part in some of the 300 "Blocos de Rua", translated freely as Rio Street Groups or Rio Street Bands. Just like last year, Belavista-Rio Carnival Brazil prepared a full list of the Top Street Bands/Blocos de Rua for the 2009 Rio Carnival. The Street Groups/Blocos de Rua presented in this list were separated by days, so you can pick in an easier manner, your free carnival street partying.

In this year list, we will add a special mark to high-light the best "Blocos de Rua"/ Street Bands in Rio for each given carnival day. Next to the name of the Street Band we consider unbeatable for that day, we emphasized the list with the phrase: “Top Street Band ”.




If you are not really familiar with the definition of this Brazil Carnival popular expression of street parties, please read at the end of the post a more formal explication of the Rio Street Bands. As a more simple definition, we could say the Street Bands – Blocos de Rua are purposely less organized, structured and have a different objective than traditional samba schools´ parades.


Rio StreetBands ( Blocos de Rua ) include brass instruments in their orchestra and invite everyone that shows up to joins in. Rio´s street bands also have a pre-determined marching route, where the orchestra is followed by the energetic samba dancers. Partiers may come dressed in costumes, bathing suits, plain clothes, special T-shirts, or even in drag. This is the best thing of the Street-Bands, everyone is free to its own style and will. This is by far, Rio´s most popular, democratic and vibrant carnival expression in the wonder city, according to Belavista´s Editor!


In this complete guide of the 2009 Rio Street Bands, you will be able to identify the Blocos/ Bands by neighborhood too. There is partying much all over town: Ipanema, Copacabana, Botafogo, Flamengo, Vila Isabel, Leblon , Santa Teresa...There is even a street band at the Paquetá Island!

Pick your favorite >Rio Street Group< and join in!

There are 109 blocos in Rio to chose from in this list!!


Top Street Bands for 2009 Rio Carnival February 7th, 2009
__________________________________________________________


IMPRENSA QUE EU GAMO - Top Street Band! Bloco de Rua
Location: Mercadinho São José – Rio Neighborhood: Laranjeiras -
Time: 12:00 AM


SPANTA NENÉM - Bloco de Rua imperdível
Location: Parque dos Patins
Neighborhood: Lagoa
Time: 12:00 AM


NEM MUDA, NEM SAI DE CIMA
Location: Rua Garibaldi – Muda, Rio Neighborhood: Tijuca
Time: 5:00 PM


SACO DO NOEL -Bloco de Rua imperdível
Location: Bar Planeta do Chopp, Boulevard Vinte e Oito de Setembro – Vila Isabel
Time: 4:00 PM


BANDA DE IPANEMA - Top Street Band
Location: Rua Gomes Carneiro - Rio Neighborhood : Ipanema
Time: 5:30 PM


RIO CARIOCA
Location: Rua Ipiranga - Neighborhood: Laranjeiras
Time: 2:00 PM



Top Street Bands 2009 Carnival Rio de Janeiro – SUNDAY, February 8th 2009
__________________________________________________________


BAGUNÇA MEU CORETO - Top Street Band !!
Location: Praça São Salvador - Neighborhood: Laranjeiras
Time: 4:00 PM


LOCO DO YOU LIKE BRAZILIAN MUSIC?
Location: Final da Praia do Leblon – Leblon beach - Neighborhood: Leblon
Time: 01:00 PM


CALMA, CALMA, SUA PIRANHA
Location: Rua Real Grandeza with Rua Visconde de Caravelas – Rio Neighborhood - Botafogo
Time: 2:00 PM






Top Street Bands 2009 Carnival Rio de Janeiro – WEDNESDAY, February 11th 2009
__________________________________________________________


É DO PANDEIRO?
Location: Praça São Salvador – Neighborhood - Flamengo
Time: 5:00 PM

Top Street Bands 2009 Carnival Rio de Janeiro - FRIDAY, February 13h 2009
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

CORDÃO DA BOLA PRETA - Top Street Band
Location: Avenida Rio Branco Praça Mauá - Center
Time: 3:00 PM i>Bloco de Rua Imperdivel





Top Street Bands 2009 Carnival Rio de Janeiro –SATURDAY, February 14h 2009

_________________________________________________________


Bloco CUTUCANO ATRÁS
Location: Avenida Atlântica, no Quiosque Antonio’s – Neighborhood Copacabana
Time: 4:00 pm


SIMPATIA É QUASE AMOR: Carnival Street Band
Location: Concentração - Praça General Osório – Neighborhood Ipanema
Time: 4:00 pm


BLOCO BAIXO TIJUCA
Location: Praça Varnhagen, 15 – Neighborhood Tijuca
Time: 3:00 pm


XUPA, MAS NÃO BABA
Location: Rua Cardoso Júnior, 420 – Neighborhood - Laranjeiras
Time: 2:00 PM
Bloco de Rua imperdível


ACONTECEU
Location: Bar do Gomes (Rua Áurea com Monte Alegre) – Neighborhood Santa Teresa
Time: 6:00 PM


PIERROTE DA MADRUGADA DOS EMBAIXADORES DA FOLIA
Location: Rua do Lavradio, em frente ao CIEP – Neighborhood - Lapa
Time: 11:30 PM

CÉU NA TERRA Street bloco
Location: Bonde de Santa Teresa Rio de Janeiro Neighborhood- Santa Teresa
Time: 09:10 AM
Bloco de Rua imperdível


BLOCO AREIA
Location: Bar Tio Sam, na rua Dias Ferreira – Neighborhood Leblon
Time: 2:00 PM


6 NÃO É 1/2 DÚZIA
Location: Posto 6 – Neighborhood Copacabana
Time: 01:30 PM

Abaixo Bloco de Rua Imperdivel das Piranhas




SUNDAY, February 15th 2009
__________________________________________________________


SUVACO DO CRISTO - Top Street Band
Location: Concentração: Bar Jóia – rio Neighborhood Jardim Botânico
Time: 01:00 PM


GIGANTES DA LIRA
Location: Praça. Aliança, Rua General Glicério – Neighborhood Laranjeiras
Time: 4:00 PM


QUEM NUM GÜENTA BEBE ÁGUA - Bloco de Rua Imperdível
Location: Rua Gago Coutinho, 37 – Neighborhood Laranjeiras
Time: 11:00 AM


TÁ PIRANDO, PIRADO, PIROU
Location: Av. Pasteur, Uni-Rio – URCA Neighborhood
Time: 3:00 PM


LARGA A ONÇA, ALFREDO
Location: Rua Ipiranga, 49 – Rio Neighborhood Flamengo
Time: 4:00n PM


BLOCO DAS PIRANHAS -- Top Street Band
Location: Largo do Moutela – RIO´s Neighborhood: Freguesia - Bloco de Rua Imperdível
Time: 9:00 Am


BANDA ALEGRIA SEM RESSACA
Location: Avenida Atlântica, em frente à República do Peru – Neighborhood Copacabana
Time: 9:00 AM


SAMBA NO PÉ
Location: Supermercado Prezunic do Campinho – Neighborhood Madureira
Time: 8:00 AM




– MONDAY, February 16th 2009
__________________________________________________________


BLOCO DE SEGUNDA - TOP STREETBAND
Location: Cobal do Humaitá – Rua Voluntários da Pátria – Neighborhood Botafogo
Time: 7:00 PM



– WEDNESDAY, February 18th 2009
__________________________________________________________



SAMBA BRILHA
Location: Bar Escadinha, Cinelândia – Neighborhood - Center
Time: 7:00 PM



BLOCO REGULA MAS LIBERA
Location: Rua da Quitanda em frente ao Bar Liberta – Neighborhood - Centro
Time: 5:00 PM


THURSDAY, February 19THth 2009
__________________________________________________________


BANDA DA RUA DO MERCADO - Top Street Band
Location: Rua do Mercado em frente à Bolsa – Neighborhood Centro - Downtown
Time: 4:00 PM
Bloco de Rua Imperdível





FRIDAY, February 20THh 2009


CARMELITAS : Top Street Band

Location: Concentração no Largo das Neves – Neighborhood Santa Teresa
Time: 6:00 PM

Bloco de Rua Imperdível


VEM NI MIM QUE EU SOU FACINHA - Top Street Band 
Location: Rua Prudente de Moraes, 10 Neighborhood Ipanema
Time: 5:00 PM
Bloco de Rua Imperdível



EU SOU EU, JACARÉ BICHO D´AGUA
Location: Rua Torres Homem with R. Visconde de Abaeté – Neighborhood Vila Isabel
Time: 5:00 PM


ROLA PREGUIÇOSA
Location: esquina de Maria Quitéria com Epitácio Pessoa – Neighborhood Ipanema
Time: 6:00 PM


AZEITONA SEM CAROÇO
Location: Rua Dias Ferreira – Neighborhood Leblon
Time: 9:00 PM


RIO MARACATU
Location: Largo dos Guimarães – Neighborhood Santa Teresa
Time: 3:00 PM




RIVAL SEM RIVAL
Location: Rua Álvaro Alvim, Café Rival – Neighborhood – Rio´s Center/ Downtown
Time: 4:00 PM


BREJEITO
Location: Bar Picote, Rua Marquês de Abrantes 128 – Neighborhood Flamengo
Time: 6:00 PM


BADALO DE SANTA TERESA -- TopStreet Band 
Location: Largo das Neves – Rio Neighborhood Santa Teresa
Time: 8:00 PM
Bloco de Rua Imperdível


CONCENTRA MAS NÃO SAI - Top Street Band 
Location: Rua Ipiranga, 54, bar Severyna – Rio Neighborhood - Laranjeiras
Time: 8:00 PM
Bloco de Rua Imperdível


BOÊMIOS DA LAPA
Location: Quadra da Lapa - Neighborhood Lapa
Time: 09:00 PM


BLOCO DO BIP-BIP
Location: Rua Almirante Gonçalves, 50 – Neighborhood Copacabana.
Time: 00:01 AM




SATURDAY, February 21STth 2009
__________________________________________________________


TURMA DO GATO
Location: Rua Djalma Dutra – Neighborhood – Pilares
Time: 4:00 PM


EMPURRA QUE PEGA
Location: Praça Cazuza - Leblon
Time: 5:00 PM


ZUMBI DE PILARES
Location: Largo de Pilares - Neighborhood Pilares
Time: 7:00 PM


CORDÃO DA BOLA PRETA -Classic Street-Band
Location: Cinelândia Neighborhood – Rio Center
Time: 9:00 AM - Dont Miss!!


ESSE É O BOM, MAS NINGUÉM SABE
Location: Praça São Judas Tadeu Neighborhood, Cosme Velho
Time: 10:00 AM


SALSA E CEBOLINHA
Location: Rua Gomes Freire - Neighborhood Lapa
Time: 01:00 PM


DOIS PRA LÁ DOIS PRA CÁ
Location: Rua Álvaro Ramos. 11 Rio Neighborhood Botafogo
Time: 2:00 PM


ACONTECEU
Location: Rua Áurea - Neighborhood Santa Teresa
Time: 2:00 PM


BLOCO DO BECO DO RATO
Location: Rua Morais e Vale com Joaquim Silva - Neighborhood Lapa
Time: 3:00 PM


CORDÃO DA PRATA PRETA - Top Street Band 
Location: Rua Sacadura Cabral, 375 - Neighborhood Saúde
Time: 4:00 PM


BLOCO DO CAMELO
Location: Praia José Bonifácio - Neighborhood Paquetá
Time: 4:00 PM


SE NÃO QUER ME DAR, ME EMPRESTA
Location: Rua do Lavradio - Neighborhood Lapa
Time: 4:00 PM


NÃO MEXE QUE FEDE
Location: Praça Ary Barroso - Neighborhood Leme
Time: 4:00 PM





DEVASSOS DA CARDEAL
Location: Bar do Galo. Rua Cardeal D. Sebastião Leme, 140 - Neighborhood Santa Teresa
Time: 4:00 PM
Bloco de Rua Imperdível


CACHORRO CANSADO
Location: Bar Planalto, Rua Barão do Flamengo, 35 - Neighborhood Flamengo
Time: 4:00 PM




EMPOLGA ÀS 9 - Top Street Band 
Location: Casa da Matriz, Rua Henrique Novaes, ao lado de Furnas, Neighborhood - Botafogo
Time: 6:00 PM


BANDA DE IPANEMA - Top Street Band 
Location: Rua Gomes Carneiro - Neighborhood - Ipanema
Time: 17:30 hs
Bloco de Rua Imperdível


CÉU NA TERRA
Location: Bonde de Santa Teresa Neighborhood
Time: 09:00 AM


PEGA PRA SAMBAR
Location: Gomes Freire, esquina com Rua do Senado – Lapa
Time: 11 hs


REMÉDIO É O SAMBA
Location: Av. Atlântica with Rua Xavier da Silveira - Neighborhood Copacabana
Time: 14 hs


BLOCO DOS CAVEIRAS - Top Street Band 
Location: Final da Marquês de Olinda – Botafogo
Time: 2:00 pm




SUNDAY, February 22nd 2009
________________________________________________________


QUE MERDA É ESSA?
Location: Bar Paz e Amor – Rua Garcia D’Ávila com Nascimento Silva – Neighborhood Ipanema
Time: a partir das 14h
Bloco de Rua Imperdível


SIMPATIA É QUASE AMOR - Top Street Band
Location: Concentração: Praça General Osório – Neighborhood - Ipanema
Time: 4:00 PM


BANGALAFUMENGA - Top Street Band 
Locak: Rua Pacheco Leão, em frente ao Serpro – Rio Neighborhood - Horto
Time: 15 hs


EMPOLGA ÀS 9 - Top Street Band - GREAT!!
Location: Posto 9, Praia de Ipanema - Ipanema Beach
Time: 21 hs


BLOCO DOS COQUEIROS
Location: Praia dos Coqueiros – Neighborhood: Paquetá
Time: 14 hs


MARACANGALHA
Location: Cobal de Botafogo Neighborhood - botafogo
Time: 4:00 PM



BLOCO IMPÉRIO DA FOLIA
Location: Rua Bento Lisboa, esquina com Tavares Bastos - Neighborhood: Catete
Time: 17 hs


LARANJADA SAMBA CLUBE - Top Street Band 
Location: Rua General Glicério - Neighborhood:Laranjeiras
Time: 18 hs


BANDA DE IPANEMA (BANHO DE MAR A FANTASIA)
Location: Rua Francisco Bhering – Neighborhood:Arpoador
Time: 11 hs





MONDAY, February 23rd 2009
__________________________________________________________


BLOCO DE SEGUNDA
Location: Cobal do Humaitá – Rua Voluntários da Pátria – Neighborhood:Botafogo
Time: a partir das 14h


CORRE ATRÁS
Location: Bar Azeitona, R. Dias Ferreira - Leblon District
Time: 11:30 am


PEDE PASSAGEM
Location: em frente ao Jóquei - Neighborhood:Gávea
Time: 13:30 am


VOLTA, ALICE - Top Street Band - GREAT BEST IN RIO
Location: Bar do Serafim, Rua Alice - Neighborhood: laranjeiras
Time: 3:00 pm


RANCHO FLOR DO SERENO
Location: Rua Almirante Gonçalves, 50 - Neighborhood:Copacabana
Time: 5;00 pm

BLOCO DO VARANDÃO
Location: Rua Teodoro da Silva


PEDE PASSAGEM
Location: Praça Santos Dumont em frente ao Jóquei – Neighborhood: Gávea
Time: 01;00 am




TUESDAY, February 24th 2009
_________________________________________________________


BLOCO DA ANSIEDADE - Top Street Band 

Location: Mercadinho São José –Laranjeiras
Time: 3;00 pm


MEU BEM, VOLTO JÁ!
Location: Av. Princesa Isabel & R. Barata Ribeiro – Neighborhood - Copacabana
Time: 4:00 PM


CARMELITAS - Top Street Band 
Location: Concentração no Largo das Neves – Santa Teresa
Time: 6:00 pm


SÓ DÁ PRA VER O QUE VAI DAR
Location: Esquina das Ruas Arnaldo Quintela e Oliveira Fausto – Neighborhood botafogo
time: 3:00 pm


É TUDO OU NADA?!
Location: Colégio Pedro II - Neighborhood:Humaitá
Time: 15 hs

VAGALUME
Location: R. Pacheco Leão, 1235 - Jardim Botânico
Time: 4:00 PM


VEM NI MIM QUE EU SOU FACINHA - Top Street Band 
Location: Rua Prudente de Moraes, 10 – Neighborhood :Ipanema
Time: 5:00 pm


EMPURRA QUE PEGA
Location: Praça Cazuza - Neighborhood:Leblon
Time: 5:00 pm


LARGO DO MACHADO, MAS NÃO LARGO DO COPO
Location: Adega Portugália - Neighborhood: Lgo. Machado –
Time: 4:00 PM


CLUBE DO SAMBA
Location: Avenida Atlântica esquina com Santa Clara - Neighborhood: Copacabana
Time: 4:00 pm


CACHORRO CANSADO - Top Rio Street Band 
Location: Rua Barão do Flamengo - Neighborhood: Flamengo
Time: 4:00 PM


BENJAMIN NO ESCURO
Location: Instituto Benjamim Constant, Neighborhood:Urca
Time: 1:00 am


TÔ QUE TÔ SEM FIM
Location: Rua Gilberto Cardoso (COBAL) – Neighborhood:Leblon
Time: 02:00 pm


BANDA DE IPANEMA - Top Street Band 
Location: Rua Gomes Carneiro - Neighborhood - Ipanema
Time: 5:30 pm


BLOCO DOS COQUEIROS
Location: Praia dos Coqueiros – Neighborhood:Paquetá
Time: 2:00 pm

BAGUNÇA MEU CORETO
Location: Praça São Salvador, Neighborhood:Laranjeiras
Time: 4:00 PM




BLOCO DAS QUENGAS - FUN!
Location: Rua Men de Sá – Neighborhood - Lapa
Time: 4:00 PM


A ROCHA - Top Street Band 
Location: Praça Santos Dumont – Neighborhood - Gávea
Time: 4:00 PM


SORRI PRÁ MIM
Location: Bar Petisco da Vila – Neighborhood -Vila Isabel
Time: 4:00 pm



Top Street Bands 2009 Carnival Rio de Janeiro – WEDNEDSAY – ASH DAY- February 25th 2009
__________________________________________________________

ME BEIJA QUE SOU CINEASTA
Location: Praça Santos Dumont – Rio Neighborhood- Gávea
Time: 11 hs


SAGRADO PROFANO
Location: Bar do Seu Cláudio, Rua Joaquim Silva, 90 – Neighborhood -Lapa
Time: 04:00 AM


Tops Street Bands 2009 Carnival Rio de Janeiro – THURSDAY, February 26th 2009
__________________________________________________________


VOLTAR PRA QUE?
Location: Rua Álvaro Alvim – Rio Neighborhood: Cinelândia, Rios´Center
Time: 8:00 PM



Tops Street Bands 2009 Carnival Rio de Janeiro – FRIDAY, February 27h 2009
__________________________________________________________


SÓ TAMBORINS - Top Street Band 
Location: Quadra da Lapa, Lapa Neighborhood
Time: 9:00 PM


Top Street Bands 2009 CarnivaL rio de Janeiro – SATURDAY, February 28th 2009
_________________________________________________________


BAFAFÁ - Top Street Band - Super fun!
Location: Posto 9 – Neighborhood - Ipanema
Time: 5:00 PM



BERÇO DO SAMBA
Location: Rua Mem de Sá – Rio Neighborhood - Lapa
Time: 8:00 PM


MULHERES DE CHICO - Top Street Band 
Location: Antero de Quental – Rio Neighborhood: Leblon
Time: 5:00 PM


Top Street Bands 2009 Carnival Rio de Janeiro – SUNDAY, March 1st 2009
________________________________________________________


CONDOMÍNIO BARANGAL
Location: Posto 9 – Neighborhood - Ipanema
Time: 4:00 PM


MONOBLOCO - Top Street Band 
Location: Posto 6 – Rio Neighborhood -Copacabana
Time: 10:00 AM


BOKA DE ESPUMA - super fun!!
Location: Rua Marquês de Olinda entre Muniz Barreto e Bambina – Rio Neighborhood: Botafogo
Time: 3:00 PM

__________________________________________________________

Definitions for Rio Street-Groups, Blocos:
Rio Streetbands, in Portuguese “Blocos de Rua”, after slowly growing for many years, have emerged as both a great spectator attraction and opportunity to become part of the Carnival on the streets of Rio de Janeiro.
The legendary Bloco Bola Preta now draws a street crowd of 200,000! Simpatia e Quase Amor from Ipanema is now drawing 100,000. Monobloco's parade closing out the Carnaval season the Sunday after Shrove Tuesday at noon in front of Leblon beach may set record crowds in 2008

Since 2004, the streetbands have exploded with well over 300 blocos. The boom in blocos began with the growth in the internet as we closed out the last millennium and is part of Rio de Janeiro's determination to be a leading capital of global culture as we move forward into the new age.

Avenida Rio Branco, in the center of downtown Rio, exclusively for the parades of big organized Blocos. These are street carnival groups, celebrating carnival in a much more informal way than the big samba schools. You can participate along with everyone else, instead of sitting on concrete stands watching an organized parade.

This is the heart of the "Rio´s Street Carnival” which includes the greater likelihood of Locations playing percussion instruments with their friends at their favorite hangout as well as the Bandstands and the many Parades of downtown's Rio Branco Avenue. These events are inclusive and practice for the musicians begins months before the Carnaval and the parades do not end until Sunday of the following weekend.

The Rio de Janeiro free street carnival begins in November. The street carnival is structured in groups named: bloco, cordon, band or rancho but they are really about simple fun with others. If you wander in the zona sul districts of Gávea, Ipanema, Leblon, Copacabana and Botafogo during the Carnaval you will often find them hanging out prior to parading. This is known as the period of Concentration. Most bands also have official T-shirts for sale on the spot for about US$10, to help with the costs.