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Carnaval Recap
We had an extra fabulous time at Carnaval last Saturday and have no qualms agreeing with their marketing that it is “Austin’s Best Party.” No other party during the year involves quite as much half-nakedness, funky costumes, friendliness and hedonism all tied together under a Samba blanket.
The groups that played this year were Grupo Saveiro, which the Carnaval site notes was “twice voted ‘the best Brazilian group in the United States’ by the Brazilian International Press Association,” and Austin’s own Acadêmicos da Opera, which is “composed of a multitude of local drummers and dancers trained in performing authentic renditions of Rio's great carnaval groups, the escolas de samba.”
Such incredible Brazilian music is infectious for dancing and brings out our rare urge to join in on conga lines. Throughout the evening, the lines seemed to stretch on infinitely, at times racing so fast that we had to run to keep up and at times slowing to get mashed together in a tangle with several other conga lines. It was like having a guided tour in which you can people-watch, get grabbed, do your own grabbing and dance in a frenzy all at once.
Though the rampant fondling by and dirty dancing with strangers part might be taboo at any other occasion during the year, at Carnaval it’s as commonplace and accepted as getting grabbed at DK Sushi on a Monday night. What better way to fit in our abundance of lustiness before Lent, other than with such utter sensual abandon? And under the comfortable disguise of a costume or mask, people let their inhibitions loose in ways that not even an excess of alcohol usually allows.
Speaking of booze excesses, we were very impressed by the new organization of the beer and alcohol lines this year. Although we did have to wait a few minutes, the large and chaotic mass of the line was much more manageable and divided on two sides of the room. Since there are very few water fountains, it does seem a bit exorbitant to sell water for three dollars, and we can't help but wonder if the woman we saw being wheeled out of the restroom by the EMS was in such a state because of dehydration, though, in all honestly, we assume it was from something a bit stronger.
Although the official pics for Carnaval are not yet posted, you can see a few here. Keep in mind that they're far from work safe, unless your work encourages looking at boobies on the company dime.
