Sunday 22 February 2009

Carnival 2009 in Florianopolis - Gay Parties

The Gay Carnival in Floripa is well established but this year seems bigger than ever, probably rivalling Rio as the biggest gay carnival in Brazil.

Besides the every night street parties downtown ( the traditional Carnival do Roma) and the Pop Gay festival that happens on Monday night, there are many other club parties happening in different parts of the Island.

Downtown the local clubs ( Mix Cafe and Concorde) are open every night this week and the Sunrise boat party today was sold out.

The most talked about and busiest is The Week, which is filling to capacity every night. We went last night and we were quite impressed with the whole set up. More than 3000 men were undressed to impress! The setting by the lagoon side makes it unique too. It seems everybody was having a great time.

During the day Bar do Deca on the left side of Praia Mole is still the favourite hang out place. Late afternoons sees more than a thousand people enjoying caipirinhas and the amazing views.

Tip from Brazil Ecojourneys team:

The gay Carnival should go on strong until the weekend- if you are in Brazil you still have time to join the party. Check our site for ideas and more information.

Thursday 12 February 2009

Carnival 2009 in Florianopolis -II

Carnival in Florianopolis happens all over the Island, but the most traditional events, the Samba Schools Parade, Bloco dos Sujos parties and the Pop Gay Festival, all happen downtown.

During the 5 days (20-24th February), there are street parties animated by bands playing on stages distributed around the centre. Next to the Public Market, around the XV November Square ( a.ka. Praça da Figueira) and in Hercilio Luz Avenue, an area almost exclusively frequented by the LGBT crowd during Carnival. Music starts from 21h and finishes 2 a.m.

Saturday (21st Feb) is the night of the Samba Schools Parade in the local Sambadrome (Passarela Nêgo Quirido). Tickets are cheap but difficult to get hold of unless you queue for hours, so it is easier to get them from touts on the day. They should cost from around R$50. The parade starts oficially at 20h, but delays are very common, so expect to wait until 21-21:30 until the first School appears. The whole show lasts around 7- 8 h, going into the early hours of the morning. Dress warm and take a rain coat, as the stands are not covered!

Sunday is the day of Bloco dos Sujos, a very traditional part of the local Carnival. Hordes of cross-dressed man (most of them straight and married...) parade during the afternoon through the centre of town dancing, singing and drinking- loads!, frequently accompanied by their whole families. Quite a sight! Later on the smaller neighbourhood samba groups -"blocos"- compete at the Sambadrome. From 19h.

On Monday night the biggest event is the Pop Gay Festival, which is a competition of Carnival costumes for Drag Queens and Transexuals. Traditionally it was held in the Hercilio Luz Avenue (where the LGBT crowd gathers), but due to its huge success ( last year 50 thousand people attended) , it was moved this year to Tancredo Neves Square, a few blocks away from the original site. The crowd is very mixed with lots of families attending. Starts from 21h.

Apart from downtown, the neighbourhood of Santo Antonio de Lisboa has a more low-key but still very popular Carnival, with parties every night and also the Children's Carnival on Sunday. Campeche and Lagoa are also neighbourhoods that have "blocos" on Carnival Sunday.

Monday 2 February 2009

Carnival 2009 in Florianopolis - I

Unknown to many, this 4-day festival is celebrated all over Brazil. Besides Rio's famous Samba School's Parades and Salvador and Olinda street parties, you will find a lot of other cities that have great Carnival events.

Florianopolis has one of the most popular Carnival festivals in Brazil, because it mixes all the above (samba schools, street parties, neighbourhood "bandas") in a safe and friendly environment. It has also, rivalled only by Rio, one of the biggest Gay Carnivals in Brazil.

This week we will post news about all the upcoming Carnival parties in Floripa. If you would like to join the fun check Brazil Ecojourney's carnival packages.

To kick-off the season you can attend a Samba School rehearsal. From now to Carnival there are almost daily rehearsals in different points of the city.

One of the main candidates for Champion, Consulado, rehearses at their headquarters on Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays from 19h. Rua Custódio Fermino Vieira, 20
Saco dos Limões - Florianópolis. A small fee is requested after 20h.

The newcomer União da Ilha da Magia meets at the main square in Lagoa on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from 20h. Free.

Another favourite, Copa Lord, rehearses downtown next to the Public Market from Monday to Thursdays at 20h. Free.

Have fun!