By Michela DellaMonica, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL — The Carnival street parties or “Carnaval de Rua” (Street Carnival) are where people from all walks of life come together to celebrate with hundreds of themed parties called “blocos.” Varying in theme, location and size, the popular public celebrations are in full swing beginning today.
Perhaps the most well-known and popular bloco taking place in Rio de Janeiro tonight is Bloco das Carmelitas in the bohemian Santa Teresa. This traditional bloco takes over the streets of this hilltop neighborhood twice during Carnival, and is scheduled to take place again this Tuesday, March 4th.
This parade pays homage to the popular legend of a nun who fled a Carmelite convent to participate in Rio’s Carnival parade with a giant puppet. Friday’s street party begins on Rua Almirante Alexandrino in front of CEAT (Centro Educacional Anisio Texeira) at 3PM.
Below is a guide of other blocos happening across Centro (Downtown), Zonal Sul (South Zone) and Zona Norte (North Zone) with location and times:
Centro:
Bloco dos Aposentados
Location: Rua Primeiro de Março, at the corner of Teófilo Otoni, Centro
Time: 5PM
Rival Sem Rival
Location: Rua Álvaro Alvim, in front of theater Rival, Centro
Time: 6PM
Escorrega na Baba do Quiabo
Location: Buraco do Lume, Centro
Time: 6PM
Boca Que Fala
Location: Palácio Gustavo Capanema, Centro
Time: 6:30 PM
Embaixadores da Folia
Location: Buraco do Lume (Nilo Pecanha/Graca Aranha), Centro
Time: 7PM
Vestiu Uma Camisa Listrada e Saiu Por Aí
Location: Rua Miguel Couto, between a Presidente Vargas and Marechal Floriano, Centro
Time: 7PM
Molha o Pé das Oito
Location: Rua Rodrigo Silva, Centro
Time: 8PM
Boêmios da Lapa
Location: Praça Cardeal Câmara, Lapa
Time: 9PM
Escorrega Mas Não Cai
Location: Largo São Francisco da Prainha, Saúde
Time: 9PM
Zona Sul:
Bloco da Rádio Beat 98
Location: Rua do Russel, 434, Glória
Time: 7PM
Banda do Lido
Location: Rua Ronald de Carvalho, Copacabana
Time: 7PM
Bloco Virtual
Location: Avenida Atlântica, in front of Rua Padre Antonio Vieira, Leme
Time: 7PM
Rola Preguiçosa – Tarda Mas Não Fala
Location: Epitácio Pessoa with Maria Quitéria, Ipanema
Time: 8PM
Zona Norte:
Pipoca e Guaraná
Location: Rua Martins Pena, between Rua Afonso Pena and Campos Sales, Tijuca
Time: 10AM
Os Cata Latas do Grajaú
Location: Praça Nobel, Rua Sá Viana, Grajaú
Time: 6PM
Eu Sou Eu, Jacaré É Bicho D´Água
Location Rua Visconde de Abaeté and Torres Homem, Vila Isabel
Time: 8PM
Banda Cultural do Jiló
Location: Rua Pinto de Figueiredo, 26, Tijuca
Time: 8PM
Boêmios do Méier
Location: Calçadão da Dias da Cruz, Méier
Time: 8PM
Monarca do Irajá
Location: Estrada da Água Grande, Irajá
Time: 8PM
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