The Carnival has Already Started

If you want to have fun without spending money, you must see the technical rehearsals at the Sambadrome. The rehearsals start on December 6th with the 2009 and run until February 7th, when Champion Samba School Salgueiro itself will make the light and sound test of the Samba Avenue. It is an excellent opportunity for learning the songs lyrics, seeing the Samba Schools folk supporters, and getting an idea of the complex logistic involved in Samba Parades.

For those who are also interested in having a view from inside the Samba School communities: You might also enjoy a lot the practice sessions at the Samba Schools' Courts, that is, at the Samba Schools headquarters. They are very exciting parties livened up by the vibrant sound of loud Samba percussion, and are already running in different parts of Rio and in other cities nearby. These events are open to the public as well, and have a low priced admission.

But if you would like to get a little flavor of the magnificent Parades at its official venue, attend the Samba Schools technical rehearsals at the Sambadrome, which will take place many times, as you can check on the Schedule below:

December 2009

• Day 06 (Sunday) - Acadêmicos do Cubango (between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.), Viradouro (between 8:00 and 10:00 p.m.) and Mangueira (between 10:00 and 12:00 a.m.)
• Day 13 (Sunday) - Império Serrano (between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.), Mocidade Independente (between 8:00 and 10:00 p.m.) and Vila Isabel (between 10:00 and 12:00 a.m.)
• Day 19 (Saturday) - Unidos de Padre Miguel (between 8:00 and 10:00 p.m.) and União da Ilha do Governador (between 10:00 and 12:00 a.m.)
• Day 20 (Sunday) - Império da Tijuca (between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.), Beija-flor de Nilópolis (between 8:00 and 10:00 p.m.) and Unidos da Tijuca (between 10:00 and 12:00 a.m.)

January 2011

• Day 09 (Saturday) - Paraíso do Tuiuti (between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.), Porto da Pedra (between 8:00 and 10:00 p.m.) and Portela (between 10:00 and 12:00 a.m.)
• Day 10 (Sunday) - Acadêmicos de Santa Cruz (between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.), Mocidade Independente (between 8:00 and 10:00 p.m.) and Salgueiro (between 10:00 and 12:00 a.m.)
• Day 16 (Saturday) - Inocentes de Belford Roxo (between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.), Caprichosos de Pilares (between 8:00 and 10:00 p.m.) and União da Ilha do Governador (between 10:00 and 12:00 a.m.)
• Day 17 (Sunday) - São Clemente (between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.), Viradouro (between 8:00 and 10:00 p.m.) and Grande Rio (between 10:00 and 12:00 a.m.)
• Day 23 (Saturday) - Imperatriz Leopoldinense (between 10:00 and 12:00 a.m.)
• Day 24 (Sunday) - Acadêmicos da Rocinha (between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.), Mangueira (between 8:00 and 10:00 p.m.) and Unidos da Tijuca (between 10:00 and 12:00 a.m.)
• Day 30 (Saturday) - Estácio de Sá (between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.), Porto da Pedra (between 8:00 and 10:00 p.m.) and Portela (between 10:00 and 12:00 a.m.)
• Day 31 (Sunday) - Renascer de Jacarepaguá (between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.), Grande Rio (between 8:00 and 10:00 p.m.) and Vila Isabel (between 10:00 and 12:00 a.m.)

February 2011

• Day 06 (Saturday) - Beija-flor de Nilópolis (between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.) and Imperatriz Leopoldinense (between 10:00 and 12:00 a.m.)
• Day 07 (Sunday) - Sound and light test with Salgueiro, Champion School of Rio Carnival 2010 (between 7:00 and 12:00 a.m.)