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Drawn by Oscar Niemeyer and completed in 1984, the Sambodrome is in fact a street bordered of terraces designed for the processions of samba.
When I saw it I though the place is nothing special without the people and Carnaval fuss. Leave a Comment Address: Avenida Marques de Sapucai
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Finally you got the tickets to see the Carnival Parade on Sambodrome (BRAVO, Bravissimo ;-))and here are some advices for you as spectator:
Professor Darcy Ribeiro parade grounds (Sambodrome) is situated in Rua Marquês de Sapucaí, Cidade Nova. That is, the begin at Avenida Presidente Vargas, near Praça Quinze, and ends in Rua Frei Caneca.
HOW TO GET THERE
In order to get to the Sambódromo and watch the carnival parade, it is best to find out the exact location of the relevant sector you have tickets for.
EVEN NUMBERED SECTORS
If the relevant sector is 2, 4 or 6, there are the following options:
Taxi – pre-determined taxi companies serve the sectors and there is plenty of information about them during carnival. There is a tariff to leave the Sambódromo and the taximeter or an agreement with the passenger settles the journey to the Sambódromo. I would recommend you better taking the subway, because the traffic in Rio gets crazy during the Parades and it is much more fun going by metro.
Subway – it goes uninterruptedly everyday to 11 pm of Tuesday, the last day of carnival, at 10 minute intervals during the night. The getting off stop is always Praça Onze station, no matter where from. Once outside the station, turn twice to your right and then walk straight ahead to Sector 2. For
Sectors 4 and 6, turn on Rua Carmo Neto and walk on to Av. Salvador de Sá. The Sambódromo can soon be seen and several signs show the entrance to the sectors.
ODD NUMBERED SECTORS
As for sectors 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13, the options are:
Subway – either from zona norte or zona sul, the getting off stop is Central. From there, walk to the Sambódromo, a long stretch of approximately 700 meters, going past the schools’ allegorical cars and the Terreirão do Samba. Leave a Comment
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Here is a list of things you should take to the Sambodrome if you will see the Parade:
1. At most two 500ml plastic containers with ice / beverages and two items of food, such as fruit and/or sandwich. You will get very thursty and also hungry after watching school by school and the vendors which are offering beverages and food do only come into the breaks between the schools. Depending on the seat you will not be able to go away there, because then you will loose it!
Anyway : at the Sambódromo there are shops and fast food kiosks in all sectors.
2. Objects made of polystyrene, bottles, glasses, firecrackers and fireworks are strictly forbidden!
3. A discardable raincoat should be considered for the eventuality of a summer shower. Umbrellas are not a good idea, as they can easily get in the way of other people’s view of the parade.
4.
Safety inside the Sambodrome is good, however you should avoid bringing too much money or valuables to the Parades.
The danger is more outside on the streets, so keep two eyes on your things when you go and come to the Sambodrome.
I guess a copy of your passport, adress of your hotel in case you need a taxi home and about 50 Reais is important to bring.
5. Do not forget to bring your photo or video camera to the Parades, you will later regret it if you don't do!
You should have at least films with 400 asas (light factor) or better because if not all your photos will come out dark.
And bring plenty of films (I brought about 8 films just to the Sambodrome), batteries for the flash and equipment you probably could need... Leave a Comment
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As I know, many of you are getting confused about all those different sections and seats into the Sambodrome, here a quick description of the sectors:
Camarotes (mezzanine boxes) are the most coveted positions.
Cadeiras de pista are sets of tables with four numbered chairs.Tables are located on street level, offering a very close view of the parade.
Frisas - Between the tables and the runway, there is a row of frisas, open boxes with numbered chairs that sit from 6 to 8 people. They are as close to the runway as it gets, too close according to some. Frisas have chairs, and a small table.
Arquibancadas (bleachers) are the most reasonably priced seats. The elevated position gives you a better idea of schools as a group. Standard bleachers do not have numbered seats EXCEPT for the VIP bleachers of Sectors 9 and 11 are the most expensive, and have numbered seats. There aren't actual chairs to sit on - the bleachers are not much more than big concrete steps.
I personally would not choose the touristic sectors 9 and 11 because I guess they are a little too expensive.
You can have much more fun if you do not go to the touristic sectors because you will be under natives probably and there are cheaper sectors to go and see the parades as well or even better ...as for example sector 3+5+7.
If you for example stay in sector 3 or 5 you will have a great overview from the parades, in sector 4 you will have the pleasure to hear the samba beat closer to you, because the hundreds of samba players will have their break in front of this sector. Sector 4 is recessed, and the view to the parade is partially blocked by sector 2.
Would also not choose the "frisas" or ""cadeiras individuais", mostly because they are very near to the Samba alley and you have a better overview to the groups and cars if you choose the Arquibancadas. Leave a Comment
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From Friday 13th December 2003 to February 15th 2004 the Samba Schools will be carrying out live technical rehearsals in the Sambodrome, open to the general public. For the first time, Sectors one and three in the Sambodrome will be opened to allow people to observe these rehearsals, for free.
The technical rehearsal is where the whole samba school practices their parade. Although participants are not in costume, the band will be playing, the song will be being sung, and all the different sectors of the samba school will be out there practising their moves and displaying their spirit, parading down the Sambodrome. There have been technical rehearsals in the Avenida for a while, but this is the first time the public will be encouraged to come and watch.
"These technical rehearsals in the Sambodrome are the new attraction of our City. Just as happens in the parade itself, they present a party of peace and happiness" said the president of the League of Samba Schools, responsible for this project.
Technical rehearsals will occur every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Feb 15th. On Saturday and Sundays two schools will parade, one at 7pm and one at 9pm. (this may be subject to last minute changes). For visitor security, police presence in the area around the Sambodrome will be intensified, and parking spaces will be provided. There will be food stalls and luncheonettes gathered around a new square, the Ponto de Encontro do Sambista (the Sambistas Meeting Point), and there will be a medical post established.
If you are travelling through Rio between now and Carnival 2004, and you have a serious interest in the work of the samba schools, this is a fantastic opportunity to see what they do. It is much easier to see the passion and beauty of the ordinary people of the samba schools when they are not hidden in their spectacular big costumes. And the sambodromo is easily accessible from downtown Rio. Leave a Comment
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4. Make sure you arrive at the concentration point of your school at least one hour before the scheduled parading time..because you will have to get to your group (ala) of dancers
and under thousands of people who will parade this can be a little difficult.
Think it would be best if you could phone one or two days in advance to the samba school and ask about the hour your school will meet up: "Que horas tenho que estar na concentracao?"
5. Be forewarned that you will have to wait at the concentration point for around 1-2 hours in your costume before the parade for your school starts. The school before your's have 80 mintes to dance through the Sambodrome and if one car breaks or other things happen and cause a delay then the scheduled time for your school can be later.
Then it is good to have some money with you to buy something to drink!
6. Don't forget that your school you are parading with wants to win a competition!
That means that you have to avoid all the things which can make them loosing points:
try to laugh and smile during all the parade, do what the directors of your group say, try not to fall down or to loose one part of your costume.
During the parade it is not so important that you know very well how to "sambar", you can jump or run at least to the music, but try to be always at your group, smiling and moving! Leave a Comment
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If you decided to parade with one of the samba schools in the Sambodrome you can have here some advices to make it a secure once in a lifetime experience:
1. Please wear simply your costume when you go out to get to the concentration point and not your normal clothes!There is no other way to change clothes than on the street itself and then you would have to throw away your clothes, because into the Parade you can not take them!
There's no problem going out with just a costume, everybody does the same thing in Carnival!
Ah, and make sure you do not forget a part or two of the costume, then the school won't let you parade with them!
2. The metro (underground) is the best way to arrive safe and fast to the concentration point your school will meet up.
It is airconditioned, which will for at least some minutes give you a good feeling in your costume. And besides of you will sure meet some nice fantasied groups inside the metro which all will be parading in different schools, so that may help you better to find your way!
If your school is first, third, five or seventh scheduled to parade for this evening you have to get out of the metro at:
Estação Praça Onze (Correios)
If your school is scheduled second, fourth or sixth you have to get out the metro at:
Estação Central (Balança mais não cai)
3. Please do not take valuable things (like camera's, big amount of money, etc.)with you that evening, most of this you won't need or it is just too dangerous to take them with you!
Simply take a copy of your passport or identity card and some one Reais bills (around 20 -25 Reais is enough!) into the most little bag you have. Best would be if you could hide the bag under your costume, because in the parade it is not allowed to wear other things than the costume and it is more secure not to show! Leave a Comment
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Initialy, I wasn't so keen to get to Rio during The carnaval. I surender, as the majority of our 6 people group (especialy the male participants) voted for it.
I ENJOYED every minute of that long night. TNX GUYS!!!
It made our trip longer and more expensive then we planned in the beginning, but it was worth every penny.
If you can afford it, DO IT Leave a Comment
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For an added charge, a number of agencies in Rio will organize it all for you, getting you in with a school and arranging the costume.
Blumar Turismo
(tel. 021/2511-3636) can organize the whole event for you for about R$600 (US$300). For other organizations, contact Alô Rio at (tel. 021/2542-8080).
In 2004, Gringo (Tourist called in Portuguese)Sambistas from all around the world will be going to Rio for the first ever baptism of a gringo samba school and intensive workshops! Join them at:Unidos do Mundo Samba School
As a participant in the parade you do not automatically get a ticket to watch the rest of the event. If you want to see the other schools parqading you need to purchase a separate ticket. Then you will get a bracelet (pulseira) and can return to your seat after you paraded.
I would not recommend you to get a ticket to see the parade the same day you participate though, because you have to be at the concentration point at least 1-2 hours before the parade starts, you have always to wait there a little time more and then you dance the night away for about 45 minutes to one hour! Hey Man, that's making tired, especially if you are not accostumed to it...so stay away this day from seeing the parade and better go another day to see it!
If your school finishes in the top five there will be a repeat performance in the Parade of Champions, held on the Saturday after Carnaval. If you are not able to parade again, consider donating your costume to a fellow traveler or keen Brazilian, or try to get your fantasy home with you ;-)
But remember that at some airports you may get problems with your costume brought from Brazil...they often wants to charge you costums for it! That happpened at least to me at the airport of Düsseldorf when I came from Carnival 1999: but when I told them I didn't have any clou how much the costume price was they did let me go! :-))) Leave a Comment
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If you think watching the parade from up close sounds pretty amazing, imagine being in it. Every year, the samba schools open up positions for outsiders to participate in the parade. Putting on this extravaganza is an expensive proposition, and by selling the costumes and the right to parade, the school is able to recuperate some of their costs. But outside paraders are also needed for artistic and competitive reasons. To score high points the school needs to have enough people to fill the Avenida and make the parade look full and colorful. A low turnout can make the school lose critical points.
To parade (desfilar in Portuguese) you need to commit to a school and buy a costume (about R$150-R$500/ US$75-US$250), which you can often do online. Some sites are in English as well as Portuguese; if not, look under "Fantasias" (costumes). Depending on the school, they may courier the costume or arrange for a pickup downtown just before the parade, or you may have to make the trek out to wherever they are.
For actual 2004 costumes from Samba Schools please see following webpages:
Mangueira
Sao Clemente
Caprichosos
Unidos da Tijuca
Salgueiro
Grande Rio
Portela
Porto da Pedra
Imperio Serrano
Beija Flor
Viradouro
Mocidade Leave a Comment
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Ave Atlantica 2064 Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Luxor Copacabana
Ave Atlantica 3716 Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Royal Rio Palace
Rua Duvivier 82 Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Luxor Continental Copacabana
Rua Gustavo Sampaio 320 (formerly Luxor Continental Hotel), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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on September 29, 2004
on January 21, 2004
on March 15, 2004
