The Spectacle of the Bate-bola, Rio’s Alternative Carnival

Far from the Sambadrome and Rio’s beaches, there is a parallel Carnival universe called bate-bola or ‘ball-hitters’.  This festival is known for garish costumes, raw energy, and a funky mix of music and art; but it is widely isolated from society and ignored by Brazilian media.  Read on for more about Brazil’s ‘secret, seductive Carnival’ which is rooted in Portuguese traditions:

IN PRAISE OF BATE-BOLA, RIO’S SEDUCTIVE, SCARY ALTERNATIVE CARNIVAL

Photo by Irving antonio on Unsplash

Mayor Crivella May Have Two Left Feet

With all due respect to RIO Mayor Marcello Crivella, we’re left wondering if he may have two left feet and questioning whether he truly bleeds samba beats after an announcement that his administration may reduce subsidies for samba schools by half next year.  Oh, Mayor Crivella, say it isn’t so!  True, the money saved would be applied to a wonderful cause: much-needed resources and improvements for city-run daycare centers.  But there MUST be another source, one that won’t affect Carnival.  Read on and then tell us: what do you think?

RIO’S MAYOR MAY CUT SAMBA SCHOOL SUBSIDIES BY HALF

Rio Mayer Marcelo Crivella, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Brazil News

How ‘Festive’ Is Your Bucket List?

Today’s featured article is sure to help clear your bucket list.  Read on for a list of international festivals that should be on your bucket list, including–yep, you guessed it–RIO CARNIVAL!

http://randburgsun.co.za/310921/festivals-that-should-be-on-your-bucket-list/#-/web/objects/537068334-1481058793951-trackingCode-tAICf84WHbcD/Gm2cQUx3c1LfwzpeB5s6FcAaiu1Lbwk3LmpiEyT/iQNQtpgRdOQ-articleId-381400611-vv-be7b1950-10fe-4b09-81e4-5bb44e20f1e5

A member of the samba school Grande Rio performs on the second day of parades at the Sambodromo during the Carnival of Rio de Janeiro.

Forty Before Thirty

Today’s featured article sets the bar rather high with 40 trips to take…before the age of 30.  WE at CCB say: It’s never too late!  Read on for details!

http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/sound-and-vision/features/40-trips-you-should-take-before-you-turn-30-a7341781.html#-/web/objects/537068334-1475512790839-trackingCode-jOxmjr+foPIRj0dODlMf1uVw+iwJuIfFdKnJ7oMNY63b2kbxVWtiQy2weFXy5JPv-articleId-371963743-vv-be7b1950-10fe-4b09-81e4-5bb44e20f1e5

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