Like Drums?
We have added an interesting dissection of Rio's samba school
drum sections, the baterias, explaining their makeup, their role
in the parade, etc. Complete with photos and sound! Click here.

Are You a Carnaval Virgin? Read this:
The following is an excerpt from what has to be the best Carnaval "fan site" we have seen, produced with much love by Dana...lots of great photos and personal stories...to see the whole thing, click here. But this sums up what this thing is all about. We couldn't have said it better.

"I heard a lot of stuff from folks this year about Carnaval and their reasons for not going, and it seemed to have a common theme of "fear of debauchery" or like this was some sort of giant ORGY or something where everyone is doing body shots and rolling about on the floor in a drunken or drug-filled haze. NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH...I want to go on record saying that Carnaval is

1. some of the safest, best fun I have all year
2. one of the HEALTHIEST things I do for myself all year
3. an opportunity to dance and laugh with some of the nicest total strangers I could ever hope to meet
4. one of the biggest creative outlets I have on ALL KINDS of levels.

So, basically, if you're not going to Carnaval, I sure don't know why. If you're afraid to go alone, find a friend to go with. Heck, Mac showed up as a surprise totally by himself. Sondra, Lane and I gave him some beads and later he was spotted in a conga line, having a great time. You don't need a costume, you don't need to drink, you only need to come with an open mind and happy feet and a willingness to let your spirit soar for a few hours. You only have from 9pm until 2am, when they turn the lights on, so it's this brief trip into another world. I guarantee you'll leave there with a happy heart and enough stored up mojo to get you through another month or so of winter - maybe until the bluebonnets perk up. Personally, Carnaval juice carries me through all kinds of rough times all year long. I think I speak for my "posse" when I say they feel the same way." 

This comes from Dana's website linked above.