The Carnival is Rio de Janeiro's main event, held at the peak of the Brazilian summer. A million tourists join millions of Rio de Janeiro citizens in revelry over a 4-day celebration. It begins on a Saturday and ends on Fat Tuesday, the day before the beginning of the Christian period of Lent, Ash Wednesday.

The highlight of the carnival is the Sambodromo, or Samba Parade. The parade is broadcast in many countries and all Brazilian states. Many people call it "the greatest show on earth". The Sambodromo is a 700-meter long strip flanked by spectator stands and luxury boxes. The main attraction is the sounds and sights of the parading samba schools that continue till daybreak. Only the 14 best samba schools are selected to parade through the Sambodromo. It can take over an hour for a single samba school to pass a given point along the parade route. Each samba school has an elaborately decorated float, often accompanied by sensuous females vibrating to the hypnotic music. The floats are accompanied by marching samba bands of up to 300 musicians surrounded by female dancers.

"Blocos de Rua", in accordance with some carnaval historians, represent modern versions of old "cordões" (earlier forms of Carnival processions and parades in Brazil). At first, only a small group of people used to participate on this popular expression. Initially, most of them were bohemians who spent the nights in Rio´s South Zone bars, where the bands were created - but, independently on the 'non slept hours', still had energy to party all day long on the Rio streets....(And sometimes would end up their partying time with a refreshing sea bath at the beach. ) Slowly, these individuals started to organize themselves and draw attention from other members of Rio´s society, including Brazilian Popular Music (MPB) musicians, artists, and workers from very different professional backgrounds.

Most of the time, muses and drum queens have a lot to profit in the advertising business if they are selected as the top Brazilian beauty during carnival. Carnival muses are extremely well paid by the publicity market and pampered by top samba schools. The beer, retail, cosmetics and fashion industry are some of segments that constantly rely on Brazilian models to support their brands. Actresses, celebrities, and performers legitimately see carnival as an opportunity to cash in the investment they have made along their carrier in their mythical attributes. Many of them enhance their media visibility in the samba parade, while being evaluated for movie and TV soap operas casts and TV shows. Nothing wrong with that! Beauty has always had its place when appropriately depicted, until recently, when it has attracted infuriated debates.




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