Bloco da Preta Warms Up for Carnival in Rio de Janeiro

By Chesney Hearst, Senior Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – With Carnival a little over a month away, more and more blocos (street party groups) in Rio de Janeiro are performing live in preparation for the holiday. On Saturday, January, 2nd, Brazilian singer and actress Preta Gil’s bloco, Bloco da Preta will perform as part of the Festa do Bem-Vindo 2016 (Welcome 2016 Party) in Vivo Rio.

“With only have four weeks before the show, we will try to hold six practices,” Gil told Extra. “The idea is to also play in Monte Líbano, in Barra Music and in Beija-Flor.”

For the Festa do Bem-Vindo 2016 on Saturday, in addition to Bloco da Preta, DJ Marlboro, often cited as one of the creators of Baile Funk , and DJs Bibiu, Ju de Paiva, and Juda Paulla will spin. To start the party, Brazilian MC and performer Ludmilla will perform live.

“Ludmilla was chosen to open the night because I love her show,’ said Gil. “It’s spectacular, so much so that she played for my 40th birthday (in 2014) and for my wedding (earlier the yea in May). She has not lost the essence of an MC and plays Brazilian music.”

Preta Gil formed Bloco da Preta in 2009 and it has quickly become one of the most popular blocos in the city. Organizers estimate that more than 300,000 people attended the bloco’s march during the 2015 Carnival.

Daughter of famous Brazilian musician Gilberto Gil , Preta Gil released her first album, Prêt-à Porter in 2003. She followed with the self-titled Preta in 2005 and released her third album Sou Como Sou in 2012. She is known for hits that include “Sinais De Fogo”, “Meu Valor”, “Stereo”, and “Sou Como Sou.”

As an actress, Preta Gil has appeared in several shows including the telenovelas “As Cariocas”, “Ti Ti Ti”, and “Os Mutantes: Caminhos do Coração.” Gil has also worked as a presenter and part of the cast of shows including “The Voice Brasil”, “Esquenta!” and “Fantástico.”

Gil’s bloco is known to perform her hits as well as the hits of others and the best of Brazilian rhythms with everything from MPB to sertanejo to arrocha to funk. In honor of the upcoming international event, Bloco da Preta’s theme this year is the Olympics.

Tickets to the Festa do Bem-Vindo 2016 are R$100, but those who bring a kilo of nonperishable food pay only R$50.

What: Festa do Bem-Vindo 2016 (Welcome 2016 Party)
When: Saturday, January 2nd, 10PM
Where: Vivo Rio, Avenida Infante Dom Henrique 85, Parque do Flamengo
Entrance: R$50 – R$100