For the first time ever in Asia, one of the stars of the Rio Carnaval and the city’s most famous and successful Escolas de Samba, G.R.E.S. Beija Flor de Nilopolis, will bring the Carnaval to life at the Esplanade.
Beija-Flor (hummingbird or literally “flower kisser”) have proven to be the best samba school of the new millennium. Counting fans such as Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and soccer star Zico, they are now one of the most influential schools of the annual samba parades in the world-famous Sambadrome, where the top Rio samba schools battle it out over a two-day competition.
Having carried five Champion titles since the year 2000 back to their home suburb of Nilopolis, Beija Flor has the highest expectations of its parading members. It is the only school with a team of designers (currently numbering five) where most other schools only have one. This results in a creative extravagance and spectacular costumes that constantly raise the bar at the annual competition. They have won it eleven times, earning the tricampeão title (three championships in a row) not once, but twice.
Fronted by Louis Antonio Jr. – the son of its famed main frontman and singer Neguinho – the ensemble will showcase the best of Brazilian Carnival music supported by their famed bateria (percussion) and passistas ( dancers) with their extravagant costumes and band.
“Everybody recognizes Beija-Flor when it enters the Sambodromo: the incredibly big and sumptuous floats and the astonishing costumes…– all these spectacular elements are now a trademark of the entertaining universe of the samba school carnival. When Beija-Flor parades along the Sambadrome, even the jury stands up in excitement.” The Rio Times
Tickets on sale now from SISTIC, click here.
The school always known for the luxury presented in the Avenue, brought to the parade the theme “Ratos e Urubus, larguem a minha fantasia” taking to the Sambadrome floats
All in One is “something of a return to Brazil” for Bebel Gilberto, said Phillip Van Vleck in Billboard. The daughter of Brazilian singer Miúcha and João Gilberto, the father of bossa nova, is now a worldwide star. On her first record for Verve—a label known for putting out some of the best albums of Brazilian music ever—Gilberto steers her global pop sound toward the sultry rhythms of South America. All in One shimmies with wispy, tropical covers of such songs as her father’s “Bim Bom” and Carmen Miranda’s “Chica Chica Boom Chic.” Gilberto has always kept one foot in Brazil, said John Bush in All Music Guide. What sets this album apart isn’t its links to her musical heritage but the outstanding contributions by everyone involved. Multi-percussionist Carlinhos Brown “brings a rich texture to every song he graces,” and producer Mark Ronson revives the soul of Stevie Wonder’s “The Real Thing.” Despite the large cast, “no one makes a larger impact than Gilberto herself.” The Week
