What are Samba Rehearsals After All?

Samba-School rehearsals ( or practices ) are the second most important Brazilian Carnival event, losing only for the official carnival parades, which happen in February/ March. Carnival samba-schools rehearsals like the name suggests, are the practice routines the samba schools perform at their premises, (called "quadra" in Portuguese ) in order to prep-up for the carnival. Carnival rehearsals start generally in June / July every, at the time the samba schools start to define their carnival parade theme for next year. At the samba-schools rehearsals, the samba community mingles with the samba-schools directors, managers, enthusiasts with the purpose of carnival parade organization. Each samba school generally rehearsals at their own samba court called "quadra" in Portuguese. Let´s understand a little bit more about these events.

At the samba rehearsals, most of the carnival activities which objectively impact the carnival parade are defined or practiced. As an example, as soon as the parade theme is defined by the samba school board of directors, the samba parade theme song is also chosen through an election. Normally, anyone can propose a samba parade theme song, which is defined through several rehearsals. Another activity generally also defined during samba rehearsals is the selection of the carnival Queen. Samba schools invite many carnival muses to the samba rehearsals and after samba routine dances, are voted by the samba school directors and community members. The drum section of the samba schools also workout new rhythms and beats at the rehearsals. This is when the drum director gets his chance to fine tune his percussionists, making sure they are all in harmony and "cross the samba", as a Brazilian expression says. For the samba schools flag-bearers and samba-host, the samba rehearsals are vital. This is where they have a chance to practice their samba ballet, with the drum section, samba singers, and the community itself.

Most foreigners, and even many Brazilians don't know, but a series of backstage events are taking place simultaneously at that very moment when the samba rhythm is pounding in our hearts, during a samba rehearsal. The samba school as a whole also takes the opportunity to promote the next year´s parade. VIP guests and international celebrities are welcomed by the samba-school management, at the directors´ boxes. Sponsors and partners are also invited to demonstrate the development of the carnival preparation. This is the time when samba school directors get another chance to talk in more informal manner and deliberate about many of the samba schools ´ next steps and decisions. Samba rehearsals reach their peak popularity right before carnival, in December and January, when the quadras become completely packed, by the community, samba lovers, and tourists.

Finally, it is important to say that in the past these quadras had no infra-structure for tourists. Today, most of them were reformed and renovated. Many of them have air conditioned, bars and clean bathrooms. In terms of safety, much has been improved with the increased security, prohibition of bearing arms, and more law enforcement agents within the rehearsals. We recommend four samba-school quadras, in terms of safety, location and overall fun: Mangueira Samba-School, ( the legendary "temple of samba", Unidos da Tijuca, (very close to city center), Acadêmicos da Rocinha (good option for those staying at Barra, São Conrado and Leblon), and Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel, a classic samba rehearsal.

So next time when you are in Rio de Janeiro ( or São Paulo too), try not to miss the samba practices. We are sure you will have loads of fun. Don´t forget to bring your camera too!

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