30th Carnaval This Saturday

Now in its thirtieth year, Carnaval Brasilero returns to Austin this Saturday. Over 6,000 Austinites are expected to attend the flamboyant Brazilian-style celebration of Samba-fuelled half-nakedness, funky costumes, friendliness and hedonism.

This year will once again feature NYC samba band Grupo Saveiro and performers from local samba school Acadêmicos da Opera. The Carnaval web site notes that Grupo Saveiro was “twice voted ‘the best Brazilian group in the United States’ by the Brazilian International Press Association,” and that the Acadêmicos da Opera 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.” In the past few years, we've found this music to be infectious for dancing and brings out our rare urge to join in on conga lines.

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 usually let their inhibitions loose in ways that not even an excess of alcohol usually allows.

Tickets to Carnaval can be purchased online, or at Ana Brasil, Waterloo Records, Sampaio's, Lucy in Disguise, and Saccone's Pizza.

[Carnaval Brasileiro Official Website]

Carnaval Brasileiro
Saturday, February 3rd
Palmer Events Center [map]
9pm