Carnaval "blocos"

Carnaval block "Cordão do bola preta" - at Rio Branco Avenue - Center of Rio de Janeiro city.

Carnaval`s parade in Rio de Janeiro (with the Samba-enredo being played) used to happen for several years, all over the main streets of the Center of the city (Presidente Vargas and Rio Branco`s Avenue).

After the 80`s (1984), the great brasilian architect Oscar Niemeyer created along Sapucaí Avenue, the Sambódromo - popular called the apotheosis of the Samba.

But over the streets of Rio, other kind of rhythm has being played since 1920`s until 1960, when it begun to be substituted by the Samba-enredo, the “Marchinha de Carnaval“, who was responsible for the Carnaval on the streets along this 40 years.

Carnaval block "Carmelitas" - Santa teresa - has this name because of the Carmelita`s monastery, here in Santa Teresa

The first Marchinha music was created in 1899 – “Ô abre alas” by Chiquinha Gonzaga (also a great Chorinho`s composer during the 30`s). The idea was to make something like a military rhythm but faster, so as people could make a group and march behind the singers and players (group named Carnaval BLOCOS) and also keeping the Carnaval philosophy of plea, creating lyrics with double senses and jokes with politics, social behaviors or woman`s social situation, for example.

But fortunately it has grown again…so, ladies and gentleman, we present to you the “BLOCOS DE CARNAVAL“ , already playing on our streets during the weeks before their official parades, singing “Marchinhas de Carnaval” over the rails of the train in Santa Teresa, following our small yellow “Bondinho“, or walking over our main streets, not only here on our neighborhood but all over Rio de Janeiro.

Carnaval block - "Céu na Terra" - following the rails of the bondinho (yellow train that crosses Santa Teresa).

So, wear your fancy goods and come to Santa teresa to join us, beacuse here is already Carnaval time!!