Ever wonder how Rio de Janeiro's Samba Schools work? Here's a simplified explanation:
The Samba Schools originated in the poorer sections of Rio de Janeiro. They take their name from their community and are made up primarily of residents of that community. Each school is the bond, almost like a tribe, that unifies the people of that community. It is where people learn the samba, widely considered to be Brazil's National Dance, as well as the dances for Carnival and other competitions leading up to it. The school's successes are a matter of pride, with people working very hard all year long for the chance to compete in Carnival.
Each year the government gives each samba school money to prepare their Carnival. For the last one (2009) they gave three million reals for these services. This is the seed money. Beginning right after Carnival ends, plans begin for the next year's performance. More money is raised as each school develops a theme and finds sponsors. Music is commissioned and compiled, routines are choreographed, and the performance is rehearsed and refined throughout the year by the school participants. Renato Lage designed and created the program for Carnival 2009 for the Samba school Salgueiro. They won!
Samba School is big business. Each of the colorful and elaborate costumes is hand made. Thousands of people are employed building props, sewing costumes and coordinating hundreds of dancers. The production is huge! The largest Samba Schools can have around 4,500 people, including hundreds of drummers or "bateria" performing.
Throughout the year, the youth receive guidance from their elders as each generation incorporates the next in the annual competition. In effect, each Samba School is a youth program, an employment agency and the identifying force for the community. Your Samba School is your family.
There are Twelve Samba Schools in the top division. Over one weekend of Carnival they compete. Six can place. One wins. The first weekend they all compete, with the top six performing the next Saturday. Ten Million spectators are drawn to this ten day event. Over 60,000 people pay to attend Carnival's finale, with the top seats selling for about 150 reals each.
The competition takes place in front of steep high concrete bleachers, divided into twelve sections, that stretch for 800 meters. Tickets in Section One, where the performers enter the half mile-long performance space, sell for as little as 10 reals. In this way everyone can afford to attend, and tens of millions of dollars are raised.
Samba City is an area created by the government near Rio de Janeiro's harbor where the rhythm of Samba was born. There are many large warehouses available (also called barracões) where each school has the space to build and store their floats, work on their costumes and practice their routines. There is also a Samba Store, open year round, offering a video of previous Carnivals, elements of performances on display and souvenirs for sale. Here, a history of this world-famous event can be seen and heard as the steady beat of the samba drums vibrate the feathers and rattle the beads of the elaborate costumes.
It's the next best thing to Carnival itself!
Samba City in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
http://www.sambacity.info/
TurisRio (Tourism Company of Rio de Janeiro State)
http://www.1Rio.net
Email Miriam Cutz miriamcutz@turisrio.rj.gov.br
Rio Convention & Visitors Bureau
http://www.rcvb.com.br
TAM Airlines
http://www.tam.com.br
RICHARD FRISBIE is published twice a month to Gather Essentials: Food. It is a food junkie's take on growing, raising, preparing and - above all else - eating food. Together we'll explore the trends, addictions, equipment and regional specialties that make up the sometimes mundane and sometimes sublime cooking and dining experience. You can keep up with my other postings and Gather activity by joining my Gather network -- I look forward to hearing from you.
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Comments: 18
I have seen photos and documentary footage of the elaborate celebration of Carnival, but did not appreciate the structure of Samba Schools that underlies this phenomena.
Great article.