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.
