Attending Rio's samba schools' rehearsals

This final month before Carnaval is packed with Samba Schools meeting to rehearse in their own quadra (huge community building), in the streets, or even in the Sambadromo.  These rehearsals are a blast.  The energy is electric and the pounding percussion music along with the singing of the School’s samba works its way into your bones until there is no resisting the urge to dance.

When people ask me about planning their trip to Rio for Carnaval I always suggest they come a couple of weeks prior to carnival so they can take advantage of these high energy nighttime parties.

Last night Luiz went to Beija-Flor’s rehearsal with some friends.  At about 4:00 a.m. I heard him getting home, showering and then coming to bed.  These rehearsals are not for the faint of heart.

I’ve listed here the Schools, their address, rehearsal night(s), what their School colors are, what the entrance fee is to get in to the rehearsal (if I could find it), as well as their website for more information.

If you go, be sure to wear clothing that features the School’s colors.  Google Maps where you are going and understand your transportation approach.  Many of the schools list bus lines that access their quadras on their websites.  In many cases you do not want to be a gringo wandering the streets in a strange neighborhood at 3:00 in the morning.

Check out a few different Schools.  The energy varies and the samba is certainly different.  My favorite part is often the street party out front of the quadra, which will continue until the sun comes up.

Note: if the School lists two nights of rehearsals and one is Saturday, keep in mind that the Saturday rehearsal may very well be more of a fundraising and energy boosting party than a technical rehearsal.  Some people prefer the party night, others the rehearsal night.

HAVE FUN!

BEIJA-FLOR

Pracinha Wallace Paes Leme 1025 - Nilópolis
Rehearsal night: Thursdays 21:00
Colors: blue and white

Entrance fee: R$10

http://beija-flor.com.br/___2011_novo/index.html

GRANDE RIO

Colégio São José, Av. Presidente Kennedy - Duque de Caxias
Rehearsal night: Fridays 22:00
Colors: red, green and white

Entrance fee:

http://www.academicosdogranderio.com.br/

IMPERATRIZ LEOPOLDINENSE

Rua Professor Lacê 235 – Ramos
Rehearsal night: Sundays 20:00
Colors: green, white and gold

Entrance fee:

http://www.imperatrizleopoldinense.com.br/

MANGUEIRA

Rua Visconde de Niterói 1072 - Mangueira
Rehearsal night: Saturdays 22:00
Colors: green and pink

Entrance fee:

http://www.mangueira.com.br/

MOCIDADE

Rua Coronel Tamarindo 38 - Padre Miguel
Rehearsal night: Saturdays 22:00
Colors: green and white

Entrance fee:

http://www.gresmocidade.com.br/

PORTELA

Rua Clara Nunes 81 – Madureira
Wednesdays 20:00
Rehearsal night: Fridays 22:00
Colors: blue and white

Entrance fee:

http://www.gresportela.com.br/

PORTO DA PEDRA

Rua Lúcio Tomé Feteira 290, Vila Lage - São Gonçalo
Samba nights: Wednesdays 20:00
Colors: red and white

Entrance fee:

http://www.unidosdoportodapedra.com.br/index.php

SALGUEIRO

Rua Silva Teles 104 - Tijuca
Rehearsal night: Saturdays 22:00
Colors: red and white

Entrance fee: R$50

http://www.salgueiro.com.br/

SAO CLEMENTE

Av. Presidente Vargas, 3102 - Centro
Rehearsal nights: Tuesdays 20:00, Saturdays 22:00
Colors: yellow and black

Entrance fee:

http://www.saoclemente.com.br/joomla/

UNIAO DA ILHA

Estrada do Galeão,322 - Ilha do Governador
Samba nights: Tuesdays 20:00, Saturdays 22:00
Colors: blue, red and white

Entrance fee:

http://www.gresuniaodailha.com.br/index.html

UNIDOS DA TIJUCA

Clube dos Portuários, Av. Francisco Bicalho 47 – São Cristóvão
Rehearsal nights: Fridays and Saturdays 20:00
Colors: yellow and blue

Entrance fee: R$30

http://unidosdatijuca.com.br/

VILA ISABEL

Av. 28 de Setembro 382 - Vila Isabel
Rehearsal nights: Tuesdays 20:00, Saturdays 22:00
Colors: blue and white

Entrance fee: R$10

http://www.gresunidosdevilaisabel.com.br/